Birth Injury Lawyer
Understanding Birth Injuries
A birth injury refers to physical trauma that an infant sustained while being delivered. While some birth injuries are minor, physical harm during delivery can be life-altering, potentially affecting the physical and psychological development of a child for the rest of their lives.
Birth injuries differ from birth defects. Birth defects are congenital health issues present before a child is born. Sometimes these issues affect childbirth, but it's important to note this distinction.
Signs of Birth Injuries
Birth injuries take different forms and can affect all aspects of an infant's development. Below are some of the most common signs of birth injuries following childbirth and as a child matures:
Immediate Signs of a Birth Injury
- Seizures
- Paleness
- Low heart rate
- Slow or rapid breathing
- Muscle stiffness
- Muscle weakness
- Curled hand shape
- Pronounced irritability
Birth Symptoms at 12-24 Months of Age
- Poor coordination/motor skills
- Issues crawling or walking
- Delayed speech
- Difficulty eating or drinking
Signs of Birth Injury After Age 2
- Speech impairment
- Lack of speech
- Vision problems
- Hearing problems
- Stiff muscles (hypertonia)
- Tremors
Statute of Limitations
for Birth Injury Cases
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In the state of Washington, you have three years from the date of the birth injury to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. Since birth injuries are not always immediately apparent, Washington state also allows people to file a medical malpractice claim within one year of discovering they were injured by a medical professional. It's crucial that you speak with a birth injury attorney as soon as possible.
We Work with a Network
of Medical Specialists
The injury attorneys at Quick Law Group, PLLC work with experienced medical specialists in the greater Seattle, WA, area. These medical consultants can review the circumstances of your birth injury and help prove that medical negligence played a role.
Our network includes:
- Pediatric Neurologists
- Neuropsychologists
- Neonatologists
- OB/GYNs
- Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialists
- Neuro-radiologists
- Pathologists
- Vocational Counsellors
- Labor & Delivery Nursing
Their insight into the healthcare system, standards of care, and the long-term effects of injury have helped our personal injury attorneys secure maximum jury awards and settlements in many different kinds of cases.
Hold Negligent Medical Professionals Accountable Contact Our Birth Injury Lawyers Today
Established in 2008, the injury lawyers at Quick Law Group, PLLC have more than three decades of combined legal practice. Our skilled team of attorneys will work with their network of medical practitioners to pursue the justice you deserve. Our personal injury firm will build a sound medical malpractice case and will not rest until we can achieve the settlement or jury award your family needs and deserves.
If your child was injured during delivery and you live in the Seattle, WA, area, we encourage you to contact our birth injury lawyers today. You can also reach our team of personal injury attorneys by phone.
(425) 576-8150
The attorneys at Quick Law Group, PLLC have helped families from Seattle, Bellevue, Everett, and surrounding communities.
"The insurance companies are not looking out for your best interests, but we are. We don't take their low offers. We take them to court." Quick Law Group, PLLC
Causes of Birth Injuries
Umbilical Cord
If the umbilical cord entangles or strangles a baby during delivery, it can cut off the infant's blood supply or oxygen supply. Doctors and nurses must act quickly to prevent lasting injury.
Forceps
Forceps may be used to help guide a baby through the birth canal. Improper use of forceps during this process could cause brain damage and nerve injuries.
Vacuum Extraction
In addition to forceps, doctors may use a vacuum extractor to help guide a baby through the birth canal. Improper use of this tool can lead to injuries to the newborn's skull and scalp.
Poor Fetal Monitoring
Changes in an infant's heart rate during the delivery process may indicate fetal distress. If doctors fail to recognize potential warning signs, this can lead to a number of birth injuries.
Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia is when a baby's head has exited the birth canal but one or both shoulders gets caught. Negligence while addressing this issue can increase the risk of shoulder and clavicle injuries.
Delayed C-Section
Performing a Caesarean section (C-section) allows doctors to deliver a baby through incisions made in the mother's abdomen and uterus. This is generally recommended for difficult or prolonged labor, and can potentially save the life of both the child and the mother.
According to the National Library of Medicine, one in three mothers has their baby delivered via C-section.
If doctors and nurses fail to perform a C-section during a difficult birth, this could put the health of the child and the mother at risk.
Failure to Recognize
Difficult Birth Risk Factors
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Proper monitoring and medical care can prevent childbirth complications and birth injuries. Doctors and nurses should note potential signs of difficult childbirth and plan accordingly. Common risk factors include gestational diabetes, the size of the baby, maternal age, past trauma, and multiple births (twins, triplets).
Discuss Your Birth Injury Case
If your child suffered a birth injury and you live in the Seattle, Everett, or Bellevue area, the attorneys at Quick Law Group, PLLC can help. You can speak with our injury lawyers about your case and find out what options are available to you. To set up a free legal consultation, send our birth injury lawyers a message or call our personal injury firm today.
"Grateful For How They Handled My Case" Helping People All Over Seattle, WA
Ellen G
2021
Matt and his team are the best! Very professional, they really look after you, I couldn't be more grateful for the guidance provided every step of the way! Grateful for how they handled my case.. amazing team!
View on Googlerichard murray
2021
It was a difficult case but Matt did a very good job for over a year to help with my case. And outcome was good.
View on GoogleCerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy (CP) refers to a group of disorders that affect a child's motor skills. CP can affect muscle tone, coordination, and movement. It can even affect a child's speech, breathing, and bladder and bowel control.
Cerebral palsy has numerous potential causes, including oxygen deprivation or physical trauma during childbirth.
There is no cure for cerebral palsy, but medical treatments, ongoing therapy, and assistive medical equipment can improve the quality of life for someone diagnosed with CP. We can pursue the restitution necessary to cover these expenses.
Cerebral palsy affects up to four children
out of every 1,000 live births.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Brachial Plexus Injuries
The brachial plexus refers to a network of nerves in the shoulder that connects the spinal cord to the arms and hands. Shoulder dystocia and other issues during childbirth can lead to injuries to these nerves. Our Seattle injury attorneys can hold negligent doctors accountable if a birth injury caused damage to the brachial plexus.
Erb's Palsy
Erb's palsy involves weakness in the shoulder or arm and the loss of muscle function. It can be caused by brachial plexus injury during childbirth.
Klumpke's Palsy
Klumpke's palsy is a weakness of the forearm, wrist, and hand. Like Erb's palsy, the condition can be caused by brachial plexus injury during delivery.
Speak with a Birth Injury Attorney Today Contact Quick Law Group, PLLC
Whether your child has cerebral palsy, Erb's palsy, or another condition resulting from a birth injury, the medical malpractice lawyers of Quick Law Group, PLLC can help. During a complimentary legal consultation, we can review the circumstances of your birth injury claim and discuss your legal options. Do not delay. If you live in the Seattle, WA, area and want to set up a free consultation with a birth injury lawyer, contact our law office today. You can also reach Quick Law Group, PLLC by phone.
(425) 576-8150
"Liz Quick Is a Brilliant Trial Attorney" 5-Star Reviews
Deanna Z.
2021
Liz Quick is a brilliant trial attorney. I was the plaintiff in my case and I remember sitting in that courtroom thinking “She is incredible!” She operated with such ease and such confidence in what she was doing that I just couldn’t be anything less than in total awe of her. She also was amazingly pleasant to just be around. When you are feeling as vulnerable as I felt during during the trial, having someone on your side like Liz meant so much.
View on GoogleMama Berg
2021
Matt & Liz Quick are a brilliant team. Their staff is also very friendly, professional, and prompt. I called the Quick Law Group on the suggestion of a friend after I couldn't get anywhere with the insurance company of the man that rear-ended me. I was still suffering years after the accident - I wouldn't settle and out of desperation decided to find an attorney. I am so glad I chose Quick Law Group. Matt and Liz walked me through everything. Answered all of my questions, and I felt such confidence in them after just the consultation. I would recommend them to anyone needing great representation in your pursuit of a fair bodily injury settlement.
View on GoogleLong-Term Costs of a Birth Injury
A child's future could be altered due to an injury during childbirth, which is why our Seattle-area attorneys fight to ensure families receive maximum compensation for the challenges they may face going forward:
Following a birth injury, a child may need multiple surgeries or medical treatments in order to address the physical trauma they experienced and the resulting health complications.
To address the long-term effects of a birth injury, a child may need years of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy in order to perform various daily tasks.
A serious birth injury may require that your child use a wheelchair, walker, braces, orthotic devices, and other mobility aids as well as devices for vision or hearing impairment.
Fatal Birth Injuries
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In some tragic cases, medical negligence during childbirth can lead to the death of a child. The heartbreak of losing a newborn is compounded when the death could have been prevented. Our lawyers can pursue restitution following the wrongful death of a newborn. Our law firm serving the Seattle area can help grieving parents file a wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent medical professionals who failed in their duty of care.
Damages in Birth Injury Cases
Parents of children who have been injured due to a medical professional's negligence have a right to seek financial compensation (also called "damages") to cope with hardships and losses related to their child's birth injury. Although personal injury suits in Washington cannot result in punitive damages (damages intended to punish the negligent party), they can allow you to collect compensatory damages.
In any kind of personal injury suit, compensatory damages cover the material and financial losses caused by a birth injury. This includes past and future medical expenses, the cost of assistive and adaptive devices, and the emotional pain and suffering related to the birth injury.
Our attorneys stand ready to help you collect the restitution you need and deserve if negligence has caused you or a loved one personal injury.
Proving Negligence in a Birth Injury Case
Proving negligence in a birth injury case involves a few key elements:
- Violating the Standard of Care: Medical professionals have certain recognized standards of care. A key element of negligence is the breach of this standard of care, meaning the doctor did not act as other healthcare providers would have under similar circumstances.
- Negligence Caused Injury: It must be shown that the doctor failed to take reasonable care, and in violating the standard of care caused injury to an infant.
- The Injury Led to Significant Damages: The injury to the newborn led to significant harm or health issues, such as those that require ongoing medical treatment or therapy.
Birth Injury Lawyers
Who Fight for Families
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With the assistance of our medical network in the greater Seattle area, the birth injury lawyers at Quick Law Group, PLLC will help prove that negligence caused your child harm. We will always keep you informed and updated as your birth injury lawsuit progresses.
"Exceptional Service" 5-Star Reviews
Svetlana Rowell
2021
Matt and Liz have great experience and provide exceptional service dealing with the personal injury cases. Not only do they give you an honest assessment of your case, deal with the insurance companies on your behalf, guide and support you though the process, they also share their experience with what kind of medical advice to seek to help you get better. I have already recommended Matt and Liz to some friends and will happily do this again.
View on GoogleTaralee Adams
2021
My husband and I worked with Matt after his motor vehicle accident. He was patient with my husband as he grappled to understand his injuries as well as the legal system without previous accidents and with Spanish as his primary language. Medical bills and a long term plan were initially overwhelming but taking it one step at a time and checking in regularly allowed for a helpful and safe outcome in every way.
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