Birth Injury Lawyer in Albuquerque, NM
The birth of a child should be one of the most joyous moments of your life. However, when a medical professional’s negligence causes a birth injury to your baby, it can be a devastating experience. If your child has suffered a birth injury, you need the help of an experienced birth injury lawyer. Our team of attorneys has decades of experience representing families who have been affected by birth injuries. We understand the emotional and financial toll that a birth injury can take on a family, and we are committed to fighting for the compensation you and your family deserve.
Why you need a birth injury lawyer
If your child has suffered a birth injury, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, ongoing care, and other damages. However, navigating the legal system can be complicated, especially when dealing with medical malpractice cases. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced birth injury lawyer on your side.
At Ron Bell Injury Lawyers, we have the knowledge and experience to handle even the most complex birth injury cases. We will investigate your case thoroughly, working with medical experts to determine the cause of your child’s injury. We will then fight to hold the responsible parties accountable and to secure the compensation you need to provide for your child’s ongoing care.
What is a birth injury?
A birth injury is an injury that occurs during the birthing process. These injuries can range from minor bruises and cuts to more serious injuries that can have lifelong consequences. Some consequences of these negligent birthing processes can result in:
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of permanent movement disorders that can affect body movement, muscle coordination, muscle tone, reflex, posture, and balance. CP is caused by damage to one or more areas of the brain that control movement. The damage occurs before, during, or shortly after birth.
Erb’s Palsy
Erb’s palsy is a type of paralysis that is caused by an injury to the upper group of nerves in the arm. The symptoms of Erb’s Palsy vary depending on the severity of the injury. Mild cases may only cause temporary weakness or numbness in the affected arm. More severe cases can cause permanent paralysis of the arm and hand.
Treatment for Erb’s Palsy typically involves physical therapy and occupational therapy. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair the damaged nerves. The prognosis for Erb’s Palsy is generally good, with most children making a full recovery. However, some children may have residual weakness or numbness in the affected arm.
Brachial Plexus Injury
The most common cause of brachial plexus injury is trauma during childbirth. This can happen when the baby’s head is pulled or stretched during delivery. The severity of a brachial plexus injury can vary from mild to severe. Mild injuries may only cause temporary weakness or numbness in the shoulder, arm, and hand. More severe injuries can cause permanent weakness, paralysis, and loss of feeling in the upper extremities.
Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency that occurs during childbirth when one or both of the baby’s shoulders become stuck behind the mother’s pubic bone.
Brain Damage
Negligence during childbirth can lead to brain damage in babies. This can happen when doctors or other medical professionals fail to properly monitor the mother and baby, fail to perform a cesarean section when necessary, use improper techniques during delivery, or fail to recognize and treat problems that arise during delivery. These injuries can be caused by a variety of factors, including improper use of medical equipment, failure to monitor the baby’s heart rate during delivery, and failure to recognize and respond to signs of fetal distress.
Common types of medical malpractice in birth injuries
Medical malpractice can occur at any stage of pregnancy or during labor and delivery. Some common types of medical malpractice that can lead to birth injuries include:
Failure to Monitor Fetal Distress
Doctors and nurses have a duty to monitor the baby’s heart rate during labor and delivery. If they fail to recognize and respond to signs of fetal distress, such as an abnormal heart rate, this can lead to serious birth injuries.
Delayed C-Section
In some cases, a C-section may be necessary to avoid injury to the baby during delivery. If doctors delay or fail to perform a necessary C-section, this can lead to serious birth injuries, including brain damage or cerebral palsy.
Misuse of Delivery Tools
Doctors may use tools such as forceps or vacuum extractors to assist with delivery. If these tools are misused or applied improperly, they can cause serious birth injuries, such as brachial plexus injuries or skull fractures.
Improper Administration of Medications
Doctors may administer medications to induce labor or epidurals to manage pain during delivery. If these medications are not administered properly, they can cause birth injuries such as oxygen deprivation, brain damage or cerebral palsy.
Failure to Perform Appropriate Tests
Doctors may perform tests such as ultrasounds or blood tests to monitor the health of the baby and mother during pregnancy. If they fail to perform necessary tests or misinterpret the results, this can lead to serious birth injuries.
Failure to Recognize and Respond to Complications
During labor and delivery, complications may arise that require immediate medical attention. If doctors fail to recognize and respond to these complications, this can lead to serious birth injuries.
Our birth injury lawyers hold negligent parties responsible
Several parties can be held responsible for a birth injury, depending on the circumstances of the case. These parties may include:
Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Obstetricians and gynecologists are medical doctors who specialize in caring for women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. They can be held responsible for a birth injury if they fail to provide appropriate care during pregnancy or labor and delivery.
Nurses
Nurses play an essential role in monitoring the mother and baby during labor and delivery. If they fail to recognize and report signs of fetal distress, or fail to follow medical orders, they can be held responsible for a birth injury.
Hospitals
Hospitals can be held responsible for a birth injury if they fail to ensure that their staff is properly trained and equipped to provide appropriate care during labor and delivery.
Anesthesiologists
Anesthesiologists are medical doctors who specialize in administering anesthesia during surgery or other medical procedures. If they fail to administer anesthesia properly, this can lead to birth injuries such as oxygen deprivation and they can be held responsible for damages.
Medical Equipment Manufacturers
Medical equipment manufacturers can be held responsible for a birth injury if they produce defective equipment, such as forceps or vacuum extractors that cause injury to the baby during delivery.
Other Medical Professionals
Other medical professionals, such as radiologists or laboratory technicians, can also be held responsible for a birth injury if their negligence leads to harm to the baby or mother.
Determining who is responsible for a birth injury can be complex, and often requires a thorough investigation and expert testimony. An experienced birth injury lawyer can help you understand who may be held responsible for your child’s injury and can help you hold them accountable for their actions.
Our approach to birth injury cases
At Ron Bell Injury Lawyers, we understand that birth injury cases are highly emotional. That’s why we take a compassionate and personalized approach to every case we handle. We will work closely with you to understand your unique situation and to develop a legal strategy that is tailored to your needs.
Our team of attorneys has decades of experience representing families in birth injury cases. We understand the complexities of the legal system and will work tirelessly to ensure that your rights are protected. We are committed to providing our clients with the highest level of legal representation and to securing the compensation they need to provide for their child’s ongoing care.
How long do you have to sue for a birth injury in New Mexico?
In New Mexico, the statute of limitations for filing a birth injury lawsuit is three years from the date of the injury or discovery of the injury, whichever is later. This means that you have three years from the date of your child’s birth or diagnosis to file a lawsuit against the doctor or hospital that caused the injury. If you do not file your lawsuit within three years, you may be barred from ever filing a lawsuit.
There are a few exceptions to the three-year statute of limitations. For example, if the injury was caused by medical malpractice, you may have an extended amount of time to file a lawsuit. An experienced birth injury attorney can help you navigate the statute of limitations for your unique situation.
Why choose Ron Bell Injury Lawyers?
Choosing the right birth injury lawyer is an important decision. You need a lawyer who has the knowledge, experience, and compassion to handle your case with care. At Ron Bell Injury Lawyers, we offer:
Experience
Our team of attorneys has decades of experience representing families in birth injury cases. We understand the complexities of the legal system and have a proven track record of success.
Compassion
We understand the emotional toll that a birth injury can take on a family. That’s why we take a compassionate and personalized approach to every case we handle.
Personalized Service
We will work closely with you to understand your unique situation and to develop a legal strategy that is tailored to your needs.
No Fees Unless We Recover For You
At Ron Bell Injury Lawyers, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means that we don’t get paid unless you are awarded a settlement or verdict.
Free Consultation
We offer a free consultation to discuss your case and to help you understand your legal options.
Access to Medical Experts
We work with top medical experts to thoroughly investigate your case and to build a strong case on your behalf.
At Ron Bell Injury Lawyers, we are committed to fighting for justice on behalf of families who have been affected by birth injuries. We believe that negligent medical professionals should be held accountable for their actions and that families should be compensated for the damages they have suffered.
Contact us today
If your child has suffered a birth injury, don’t hesitate to contact Ron Bell Injury Lawyers. Our team of experienced birth injury lawyers is ready to help you navigate the legal system and to fight for the compensation you deserve. We offer a free consultation to discuss your case and to help you understand your legal options.
Call us now for a free case evaluation at (505) 898-2355
