Paralysis

Boston Attorneys Representing Birth Injury Victims

Welcoming a new baby to the family is one of the most exciting and memorable events that you can experience. We trust our medical professionals to ensure that the delivery goes smoothly and that the appropriate precautions are taken to ensure that the baby is delivered safely. There are some injuries that cannot be avoided in some cases, even with appropriate care from medical professionals. But when a doctor, nurse, or other assistant fails to use the appropriate level of care and treatment during birth, the mother and baby can suffer serious and even life-threatening injuries. There are many types of injuries that can arise from medical malpractice during delivery, including paralysis. At Breakstone, White & Gluck, our Boston birth injury lawyers are prepared to help you investigate your claim and to ensure that you are treated fairly. Paralysis is a complex type of injury, and it is critical to ensure that you seek enough compensation to address the long-term impact that it will have on your child’s life.

Identifying Common Causes of Paralysis During Birth

There are many different ways that paralysis can result from negligent medical treatment during birth. First, injuries to the spinal cord are a common cause. When a medical professional uses excessive force to remove the baby from the birth canal or rotates the baby with too much force, the spinal cord can become damaged. Also, if a doctor does not use a birth assistance tool correctly, such as a delivery vacuum, the spinal cord can become harmed. Forceps are another common tool that can cause paralysis if misused. Another common cause of paralysis is brain injuries. If the baby is deprived of oxygen for a period of time, or if there is a trauma to the baby’s head during delivery, paralysis can result. Paralysis also frequently results when the umbilical cord becomes wrapped around the baby’s neck or otherwise cuts off the air supply for the infant.

Another common cause of paralysis during delivery is a failure to identify infections. If an expectant mother does not receive the medical care that she requires, she may suffer from infections that can spread to the baby before birth or during delivery. Infections like congenital syphilis can cause a newborn to suffer from development disabilities like paralysis.

Seek Justice Through a Medical Malpractice Claim

If your baby became paralyzed as a result of a medical professional’s negligence, an attorney can bring a medical malpractice action to recover compensation for the financial impact and other damages associated with the harm. There are many factors to consider before filing a claim, and it is important to conduct a thorough investigation to ensure that you can meet the legal requirements. There are several elements that we must satisfy before you will be awarded compensation. In general, we must show that the defendant did not treat you with the appropriate level of care at the time that the injury occurred and that this was a direct cause of the paralysis. Massachusetts law defines the appropriate level of medical care as the same practices and procedures that other medical professionals in the region with similar training and experience would use when facing a similar situation or patient. This includes the appropriate use of birthing assistance tools as well as diagnosing dangerous conditions in a timely manner. If you are successful in showing that the defendant failed to act with due care and that this failure was the cause of your baby’s injury, you can recover compensation for the damages that your family suffered as a result. Our experienced attorneys can help you ensure that you seek the maximum level of compensation that you deserve for your injuries and damages, and for your baby’s long-term needs.

Consult a Boston Lawyer About a Potential Malpractice Claim

Our aggressive team of lawyers has handled many types of medical malpractice claims on behalf of grieving families. Whether the injury is relatively minor or a serious, life-long disability, you deserve knowledgeable and attentive legal counsel to ensure that your family receives a fair outcome. We have assisted clients in Boston, Cambridge, Waltham, Lowell, Newton, Somerville, Quincy, Dedham, Norwood, Brookline, Attleboro, Barnstable, Brockton, Plymouth, Worcester, Lawrence, and Springfield, and we offer a free consultation to help you learn more about our services. Contact us online at 1-800-379-1244 or contact us online to get started.