Frequently Asked Questions

Will I know immediately if my child was injured during labor or delivery?

Not necessarily. Sometimes, such as when there is fetal distress, you will know because the doctors will have to perform an emergency C-Section. Often, however, birth injuries are impossible for you or your spouse to notice during the delivery. Furthermore, it can take months for some birth injuries such as cerebral palsy to become apparent. Always take note any unusual physical issues or developments and ask your physician about them.

Is it obvious if my child's birth injuries were caused by medical malpractice, negligence or recklessness?

No. Many birth injuries are not obvious while you are still in the hospital, and even if they are, unless you or your spouse is a doctor, it is unlikely that you will be able to tell if the medical personnel followed the correct procedures or committed any preventable errors. Determining whether or not the birth injury was caused by negligence is the job of a skilled birth injuries attorney. At McGuire Law, we have years of experience obtaining evidence, researching medical records, and taking statements.

What types of birth injuries do you represent?

At McGuire Law, our attorneys represent clients whose newborns suffered injuries such as Cerebral Palsy, Erb's Palsy, Klumpke's Palsy, Hemiplegia, Quadriplegia, Diplegia, Labor and Delivery Room Negligence, Hyperbilirubinemia, Hydrocephalus, Shoulder Dystocia, Oxygen Deficiency, Rh-ABO Incompatibility, Forceps and Vacuum Extractor Injuries, Infant Brain Injuries, as well as injuries sustained by the mother, such as Uterine Rupture.

What types of challenges will my child encounter?

Depending on the type of birth injury that your child sustained, he or she may be fine within a few weeks, but most birth injuries result in lifelong medical issues such as limited mobility, seizures, slow or late development, speech difficulties, lack of coordination, and learning disabilities. Many birth injuries require special schooling, attention, or living adjustments, so it is important that you obtain compensation for these costs so that your child can have the best chance possible.

For more information about birth injuries and medical malpractice, contact a Birth Injuries Attorney at McGuire Law.