LEHIGH VALLEY BIRTH INJURY LAWYER IN ALLENTOWN
Recent Victories
Call an experienced Allentown birth injury lawyer anytime for a free consultation. Far too many childbirth injuries occur in the United States on a yearly basis. These birth injuries frequently leave the child with a lifelong disability. Devastating results such as cerebral palsy, nerve damage, brain damage, stunted growth, or death can occur. An experienced Lehigh Valley birth injury lawyer at the Trapani Law Firm can help you and your family. Call us anytime for a free birth injury consultation. Our Lehigh Valley birth injury lawyers are happy to meet you at your home or local Lehigh Valley hospital. We also meet clients at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Our Lehigh Valley birth injury lawyers handle infant malpractice lawsuits such as Cerebral Palsy, Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy, Brachial Plexus Injury, Meconium Aspiration Syndrome along with additional Allentown infant brain injury lawsuits across Eastern Pennsylvania, Bethlehem PA and Philadelphia PA.
Many of these birth injuries are often caused by preventable medical malpractice, such as negligence on the part of the doctor or health care provider. Call an experienced birth injury attorney if your child has been injured during labor. We are happy to meet you and your family in Allentown PA, Easton PA, Phillipsburg NJ, Bethlehem PA or anywhere in the greater Lehigh Valley PA. Our Allentown birth injury attorneys work on a continent fee basis and do not get paid unless we get compensation for you and your child. We handle medical malpractice lawsuits for delay in birth delivery causing child birth brain injury such as Cerebral Palsy or other neurological brain damage. An experienced Lehigh Valley birth injury lawyer in Allentown PA can help you file a cerebral palsy lawsuit or a birth injury lawsuit in Lehigh County or Northampton County PA.
Some of the most common birth injuries include:
Cerebral Palsy: | Brain damage caused at the time of birth by a restricted flow of oxygen to the brain during or after delivery. Cerebral Palsy is permanent. Speech, learning abilities and motor-skills are usually negatively affected. |
Erb’s Palsy: | A paralysis of the arm caused by injury to the arm’s nerves surrounding the shoulder, usually resulting in surgery. |
Uterine Rupture: | A tear in the wall of the uterus, most often at the site of a previous C-section incision. Results can often be life threatening. |
Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy: | Brain damage caused by oxygen deprivation. HIE can be fatal. Brain cells can begin dying after four minutes without oxygen. |
In many cases, filing a lawsuit is the only justifiable recourse. The birth injury attorneys at The Trapani Law Firm handle cases throughout the entire state of Pennsylvania, with offices located in Allentown, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, State College, Scranton, and Pittsburgh. Cases are handled on a contingency basis, meaning you will not pay unless you are financially compensated.
Birth Injury Lawyers Lehigh Valley PA
When hospital nurses and doctors commit medical malpractice during the labor and the childbirth process, the effects can be catastrophic for the child and your family. Our Allentown birth injury lawyers are dedicated to holding hospitals, doctors and nurses responsible in order for Lehigh Valley families to recover the just financial compensation necessary to care for their child birth injury in the Lehigh Valley PA. We handle medical malpractice birth injury lawsuits across Pennsylvania. If your infant has suffered a birth defect as a result of a birth injury or Zofran prescription our Pennsylvania brain injury lawyers can help.
Our child birth malpractice attorneys can help you child if they were born with a brain injury like Cerebral Palsy or another form of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Our Pennsylvania brain injury attorneys send any infant who has suffered a TBI for Diffusion Tensior Imaging (DTI) after a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). If you baby has suffered a brain injury or TBI please call an experienced Pennsylvania brain injury lawyer at the Trapani Law Firm for a free brith injury consultation. A Zofran birth injury lawyer can help you file a Zofran lawsuit across Pennsylvania. Moreover, if you baby injury or child wrongful death was caused by an infant inclined sleeper, our lawyers can help.
We handle Philadelphia medical negligence lawsuits where the child was transferred from a local Lehigh Valley hospital to Philadelphia PA. Call today if your infant was injured due to medical malpractice and transferred to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Thomas Jefferson University Hospital or the Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia. An experienced Philadelphia birth injury attorney in Philly or Allentown can help answer any of your Philadelphia birth injury lawsuit questions. Our Allentown birth injury lawyers will also meet clients at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) if that is more convenient. Our Lehigh Valley birth injury attorneys handle infant medical malpractice lawsuits such as Cerebral Palsy, Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy, Brachial Plexus Injury, Meconium Aspiration Syndrome along with additional Lehigh Valley infant brain injury lawsuits across Eastern Pennsylvania, Bethlehem and Philadelphia Pennsylvania.
Our Lehigh Valley birth injury attorneys will litigate birth injury cases, including labor and delivery negligence cases, across Eastern Pennsylvania, Allentown City, Easton PA, Bethlehem, Scranton PA, Wilkes Barre PA, Camden NJ, Pburg NJ, Reading PA, Lehigh Valley PA and Philadelphia PA. No family should have to suffer financially if their childbirth injury was unnecessary. If you are wondering why my baby blue it may be because of medical negligence where the child did not get enough oxygen or the heart rate is slowed. Call a Bethlehem birth injury lawyer anytime for a free consultation. We’re here to help your family though this difficult time.
The Most Common and Severe Allentown Birth Injury Examples:
- Facial Nerve Palsy
- Brachial Plexus Palsy
- Cerebral Palsy (CP)
- Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)
- Encephalopathy
- Brachial Plexus Injury
- Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS)
- Erb’s Palsy
- Athetoid Palsy
Facial Nerve Palsy
Facial nerve palsy occurs when the facial nerve is damaged during labor or delivery, often due to excessive pressure from improper use of forceps or vacuum extraction. This Allentown birth injury can result in weakness or paralysis on one side of the baby’s face, leading to difficulty with feeding, facial expressions, and, in severe cases, long-term functional or cosmetic issues. If the medical team fails to use tools appropriately or exerts unnecessary force during delivery, this injury can occur. To file an Allentown birth injury lawsuit for facial nerve palsy, it must be proven that medical negligence, such as improper handling or delayed action, directly caused the injury. Liability may fall on the obstetrician or medical staff for not following standard protocols.
Brachial Plexus Palsy
Brachial plexus palsy results from the stretching or tearing of the brachial plexus nerves, which control movement and sensation in the arm and hand. This injury often occurs during difficult deliveries, particularly when shoulder dystocia (when the baby’s shoulder gets stuck behind the mother’s pelvis) is present. Improper management of shoulder dystocia, such as using excessive force or failing to perform an emergency C-section, can lead to this preventable birth injury. Consequences of brachial plexus palsy may include permanent arm weakness or even paralysis. To establish an Allentown medical malpractice claim, it must be shown that healthcare providers failed to act appropriately in response to delivery complications.
Cerebral Palsy (CP)
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological disorder caused by brain damage during or shortly after birth, often due to oxygen deprivation. This birth trauma can occur if the baby experiences asphyxia, often from prolonged labor or issues like umbilical cord compression. CP can result in motor impairments, speech delays, and intellectual disabilities, significantly affecting a child’s life. When medical professionals fail to monitor fetal distress or delay necessary interventions like a C-section, they can be held liable for medical malpractice. Families can file an Allentown birth injury lawsuit if it can be demonstrated that negligence led to oxygen deprivation and CP.
Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) occurs when there is a lack of oxygen and blood flow to the baby’s brain during birth, leading to severe neurological damage. This preventable birth injury can result from prolonged labor, delayed delivery, or failure to respond to signs of fetal distress. HIE can cause developmental delays, motor dysfunction, and cognitive impairments, leading to lifelong disabilities. Medical professionals may be held accountable if they fail to act quickly to perform emergency interventions, such as a C-section. To file an Allentown birth injury lawsuit for HIE, there must be evidence that healthcare providers missed signs of distress or acted negligently during delivery.
Encephalopathy
Encephalopathy refers to a broad category of brain dysfunction, often resulting from birth asphyxia or complications during delivery. Like HIE, it is an Allentown birth injury caused by oxygen deprivation during labor. Consequences can range from cognitive delays to motor disabilities. If healthcare providers do not properly monitor or respond to complications such as umbilical cord issues or prolonged labor, they can be held liable for this preventable birth injury. Filing an Allentown medical malpractice lawsuit would require showing that negligent medical care during delivery caused the brain injury.
Brachial Plexus Injury
Brachial plexus injury, similar to brachial plexus palsy, occurs when the nerves controlling the shoulder, arm, and hand are damaged during a difficult delivery. This injury is common in cases of shoulder dystocia, and medical errors, such as excessive pulling or failing to opt for a C-section, can result in permanent paralysis or weakness in the arm. Healthcare providers may be held responsible if they fail to handle delivery complications appropriately. In an Allentown birth injury lawsuit, families would need to show that the medical team acted negligently, causing the injury.
Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS)
Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) occurs when a baby inhales meconium (the baby’s first stool) during labor or delivery, often due to prolonged or difficult labor. This birth trauma can lead to severe respiratory issues and even brain damage if the airway is not quickly cleared. Healthcare providers must promptly recognize fetal distress and take necessary interventions, such as performing an emergency C-section or immediate resuscitation. Medical professionals can be held liable for Allentown medical malpractice if they fail to respond appropriately to signs of fetal distress, and an injury lawsuit could be filed based on the failure to prevent MAS.
Erb’s Palsy
Erb’s palsy is a type of brachial plexus injury that results in paralysis of the upper arm, typically caused by excessive force during delivery. This birth injury often occurs during difficult births with shoulder dystocia. Failure to perform appropriate interventions, such as a timely C-section or proper handling of the baby’s shoulder during delivery, can lead to permanent disability. In an Allentown preventable birth injury lawsuit, it would need to be shown that the healthcare providers failed to follow protocols for managing shoulder dystocia, leading to the injury.
Athetoid Palsy
Athetoid palsy is a subtype of cerebral palsy characterized by involuntary, slow, writhing movements. It can result from oxygen deprivation during birth, damaging the basal ganglia in the brain. This birth trauma can occur due to delayed or mismanaged delivery, where medical errors such as failing to monitor fetal oxygen levels result in brain damage. The consequences include lifelong motor impairments, impacting a child’s ability to control movement. An Allentown birth injury lawsuit could be filed if medical staff failed to prevent or mitigate oxygen deprivation during labor.
Low APGAR Score
The APGAR score is a quick test given to newborns to assess their health immediately after birth, scoring five criteria: Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration. A low APGAR score may indicate that the baby experienced distress during delivery, such as difficulty breathing or poor muscle tone. Allentown medical errors, such as delayed delivery, failure to monitor fetal distress, or improper resuscitation, can lead to a lower APGAR score. Consequences of a low APGAR score can range from temporary breathing problems to severe, lifelong neurological damage if the underlying issues are not quickly addressed. Families may pursue an Allentown birth injury lawsuit if medical negligence contributed to the baby’s low APGAR score.
Common Medical Errors Leading to Preventable Allentown Birth Trauma, Birth Injuries, and Irreversible Brain Damage in Infants
- Failure to monitor fetal distress and vital signs
- Delayed decision to perform a C-section
- Improper use of forceps or vacuum extraction tools
- Mismanagement of shoulder dystocia
- Delayed response to umbilical cord complications
- Failure to diagnose and treat maternal infections
- Misinterpretation of fetal heart rate monitoring
- Inadequate resuscitation of newborns
- Delay in providing oxygen when necessary
- Improper medication use during labor and delivery
Why Do Lehigh Valley Birth Injuries Occur?
Lehigh Valley birth injuries occur due to a combination of errors, delays, and negligence during labor, delivery, and shortly after birth. Medical professionals can make mistakes such as failing to monitor fetal distress, delaying necessary interventions like C-sections, or misusing delivery tools. When healthcare providers do not follow established protocols or miss critical signs of complications, it can lead to birth trauma. These preventable birth injuries may result in severe developmental, motor, and cognitive delays. The failure to act swiftly and decisively in response to labor complications or fetal distress often leads to irreversible damage to the newborn’s brain and body.
Consequences of Allentown Birth Injuries
The consequences of Allentown birth injuries can be severe and lifelong, often affecting various aspects of the child’s development and well-being. These can include:
- Motor skill impairments, making it difficult for the child to walk or move
- Delays in speech and language development
- Cognitive impairments, affecting the child’s ability to learn
- Seizures or other neurological issues
- Difficulty with feeding and swallowing
- Visual or hearing impairments
- Behavioral challenges, including attention disorders
- Limited ability to perform daily tasks independently
- Chronic pain and muscle stiffness
- Respiratory problems that may require long-term care
Impact of Allentown Birth Injuries on Family and Child’s Future
Allentown birth injuries take an emotional, financial, and physical toll on both the affected child and their family. The child’s ongoing developmental issues may require lifelong therapy, medical treatments, and special education. Parents often face overwhelming medical bills, and the emotional strain of caring for a child with disabilities can affect the entire family. The child may struggle to achieve milestones, maintain relationships, or live independently in adulthood. The trauma of a preventable birth injury shapes the family’s future, requiring ongoing care, special accommodations, and creating uncertainty about the child’s quality of life.
How Our Lawyers Can Help Families Affected by Allentown Birth Injuries
At the Trapani Law Firm, our experienced and trustworthy Allentown birth injury lawyers are dedicated to helping families who have been affected by birth injuries. We assist in investigating the circumstances surrounding the injury, gathering critical evidence, and determining whether medical malpractice occurred. Our legal team is committed to holding negligent healthcare providers accountable and helping families recover compensation to cover medical expenses, therapy, and other needs. We understand the challenges families face, and we work tirelessly to ensure they receive the justice they deserve.
Time Limit to File Allentown Birth Injury Lawsuit
In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations to file a birth injury lawsuit is typically two years from the date of injury or from the time the injury was discovered. However, if the injury is not immediately evident, such as with developmental delays, the discovery rule may extend the filing deadline. It is essential to consult with our experienced lawyers to ensure your case is filed within the appropriate time frame.
What if Birth Injuries are Discovered Years Later? Not All Birth Injuries Are Immediately Evident
If the preventable birth trauma is not immediately apparent and the injuries are discovered years later, you may still have a chance to seek justice. Under Pennsylvania’s discovery rule, families can file a lawsuit once they become aware of the injury, even if it takes time to diagnose conditions like cerebral palsy or developmental delays. Our Allentown birth injury lawyers can help you understand your rights and guide you through the legal process.
Does Every Unfavorable Outcome of Allentown Birth Is a Basis to File a Lawsuit?
Not every unfavorable outcome of labor and delivery is grounds to hold a healthcare provider liable or to file a lawsuit. Childbirth is inherently complex, and complications can arise despite appropriate and diligent care. To establish liability and file a lawsuit, it must be proven that the healthcare provider’s actions or inactions deviated from the accepted medical standard of care, resulting in harm to the mother or baby. In other words, the unfavorable outcome must be linked to medical negligence, such as failure to monitor fetal distress, delayed interventions, or improper use of delivery tools. Without evidence of preventable errors or negligence, an unfavorable outcome alone is not sufficient to hold healthcare providers accountable in an Allentown birth injury or medical malpractice case.
How Do I Know If the Injuries Resulting From Congenital Disabilities or Birth Defects or From Healthcare Providers’ Negligence or Substandard Medical Care?
Determining whether an Allentown birth injury that leads to cognitive disabilities and other conditions resulted from healthcare providers’ negligence requires a thorough medical and legal investigation. Some cognitive disabilities can occur naturally due to genetic or developmental factors, while others may result from preventable errors during labor and delivery. To find out if healthcare negligence played a role, it’s important to consult with medical experts who can review the circumstances of the birth, examine medical records, and evaluate whether the standard of care was followed. If signs like fetal distress, delayed interventions, or improper monitoring were ignored or mismanaged, it may indicate that the birth injury was preventable and caused by medical malpractice. Our experienced Allentown birth injury lawyers can help by working with medical professionals to uncover the root cause and determine if negligence contributed to your child’s condition.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Preventable Birth Injuries?
Healthcare providers, including obstetricians, nurses, anesthesiologists, and hospitals, can be held liable for preventable Allentown birth injuries if their negligence contributed to the trauma. Liability arises when medical professionals fail to meet the accepted standard of care, leading to birth injuries. Hospitals may also be held accountable if they employ staff who commit medical malpractice or if they fail to provide proper training and oversight.
Can More than One Party Be Liable for an Allentown Birth Injury?
Yes, multiple parties can share responsibility for an Allentown birth injury. In cases where both the doctor and nursing staff contributed to the error, or where hospital policies failed to ensure patient safety, you can sue multiple parties. Each liable party may share the responsibility for the damages, and our lawyers will thoroughly investigate to ensure all responsible individuals or entities are held accountable.
How Much is My Allentown Birth Injury Case Worth?
The value of your Allentown birth injury case depends on various factors, including the severity of the injury, the ongoing medical needs of the child, and the impact on the family. Our lawyers will evaluate medical records, consult with experts, and calculate the costs of current and future care, therapy, and lost income potential. We fight to ensure families receive fair compensation for all damages, including emotional suffering and loss of quality of life.
How to Increase Your Allentown Birth Injury Compensation
To increase your Allentown birth injury compensation, our lawyers will meticulously gather evidence, consult with medical experts, and build a strong case demonstrating the full extent of the damages caused by the medical errors. By presenting a clear and comprehensive case, we can maximize your compensation and achieve a fair settlement that covers both current and future needs, ensuring your child’s care is fully supported.
Who is Entitled to File an Allentown Birth Injury Lawsuit?
Parents or legal guardians of a child who suffered an Allentown preventable birth injury are entitled to file a birth injury lawsuit. In cases where the birth injury has long-term consequences, the child may also have the right to pursue legal action once they reach adulthood. Consulting with a lawyer at the Trapani Law Firm will clarify who is eligible to file.
Can You Afford to Hire Our Lawyers?
Yes, at the Trapani Law Firm, we operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not pay any fees upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. Additionally, we offer free initial consultations to help you understand your options without any financial burden.
Difference Between Allentown Birth Injury and Allentown Medical Malpractice Case
An Allentown birth injury case specifically involves harm to a newborn during labor or delivery, often due to negligence or errors in care. An Allentown medical malpractice case can involve a broader range of medical negligence affecting patients of any age. Both cases require proving that a healthcare provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care.
Holding Negligent Healthcare Providers Accountable
To hold negligent healthcare providers accountable for your child’s injuries, you must establish liability by proving:
- The healthcare provider owed a duty of care.
- The provider breached that duty through negligence.
- The breach directly caused the injury.
- The injury led to damages.
Steps to Establish Liability:
- Obtain medical records and documentation
- Consult with medical experts
- Prove that the standard of care was not followed
- Demonstrate how the negligence caused the injury
What Should You Do After Discovering an Allentown Birth Injury?
After discovering an Allentown birth injury, contact our dedicated birth injury lawyers at the Trapani Law Firm. We will help you gather medical evidence, consult with specialists, and determine whether medical negligence caused the injury. Acting quickly is crucial to protect your legal rights.
When Should You Call Our Lawyers?
You should call our lawyers immediately after suspecting that you or your child have been affected by an Allentown birth injury. The sooner we can begin investigating your case, the stronger the chance of securing the compensation you deserve.
What Do Our Allentown Birth Injury Lawyers Do for Clients?
Our Allentown birth injury lawyers handle every aspect of your case, from gathering evidence to negotiating settlements. We ensure that deadlines are met, investigate medical errors, and consult experts to build the strongest case possible.
Possible Actions Our Attorneys May Take During Your Case:
- Gathering medical records
- Investigating the circumstances of the injury
- Consulting medical experts
- Negotiating with insurance companies
- Filing legal claims and adhering to deadlines
- Representing you in court if necessary
Call Our Trustworthy Lawyers Immediately! +1 (610) 531 – 2330
At the Trapani Law Firm, we are committed to helping families affected by Allentown birth injuries. We believe every child deserves an equal opportunity to thrive, and we fight to ensure their needs are met. Our mission is to hold negligent healthcare providers accountable for failing to provide safe, timely care during labor and delivery. We serve families in Allentown, Lehigh Valley, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Scranton, and beyond, ensuring the comfort of parents and the well-being of their children.
“Every child deserves a bright and safe future.” Call us immediately for a free consultation. We can meet online or in person at a location convenient for you, whether at home, in the hospital, or elsewhere. We are here to help secure justice for your family’s future.
Allentown Birth Injury Attorney
If you or your baby has suffered an Allentown birth injury or birth defect due to any Lehigh Valley hospital negligence, contact a Lehigh Valley birth injury lawyer at The Trapani Law Firm for a free consultation by calling (610) 351 – 2330 or contact us.
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Last Updated on October 9, 2024