Columbus Birth Injury Lawyer

A childbirth injury can be life-changing for any family in Columbus. Whether you experienced such an event in the Ohio State University Hospital, OhioHealth Grant Medical Center, or any other medical facility in the area, it is crucial that you consult an experienced Columbus birth injury lawyer at your first opportunity. A skilled legal representative can help you build a case against whoever is responsible for causing any type of birth injury.

Experienced Legal Representation for Birth Injury Claims in Columbus, OH

Spangenberg Shibley & Liber has been representing injured clients throughout Ohio since 1946. We have more than 80 years of experience with personal injury cases and have successfully recovered more than $1 billion in compensation for clients statewide. In the past two years in Ohio, more than 25% of settlements and trial verdicts over seven figures have been secured by our firm. *

In every case we accept, we take time to learn as much as possible about the client’s unique needs and concerns for their case. We understand that any birth injury can have devastating effects on both the child and the mother, and we strive to help every client navigate their case as efficiently as possible. It’s important to start building your case as soon as possible, so you should reach out to a Columbus birth injury attorney right away.

Building a Birth Injury Case in Columbus

The Cleveland Clinic reports that while birth injuries are statistically rare, whenever such an injury occurs, the effects could be devastating. There are about 29 recorded birth injuries for every 1,000 live births in the US each year. A few of the most commonly cited types of birth injuries that lead to personal injury claims include:

• Scalp injuries. These are by far the most commonly recorded birth injuries, and many will fully recover with appropriate treatment. However, some may cause long-term or permanent medical complications, and others may be life-threatening. Cephalohematoma, Caput succedaneum, and other injuries to the scalp sometimes result from negligence during childbirth procedures.
• Upper body injuries. These can occur due to excessive force when extracting a newborn from the birth canal. Shoulder dislocations, brachial plexus injuries, and bone fractures are possible. Some brachial plexus injuries can cause Erb’s palsy, which entails nerve damage in the affected side of the body that can lead to weakness and delayed development in the child’s arm.
• Facial injuries. Misuse of forceps or other surgical tools could result in injuries to the face, eyes, nose, or scalp. Some of these injuries could result in permanent disabilities, such as blindness from an eye injury.
• Oxygen deprivation before or during childbirth, which can potentially cause brain damage. Many infants injured this way develop cerebral palsy. This is an incurable condition that can cause a wide range of symptoms. Some cerebral palsy cases are relatively mild, while others result in severe disabilities. Cerebral palsy can result in various developmental delays, and some children will require constant in-home medical care.
• Injuries to the mother. While most birth injury claims pertain to injuries to newborns, a mother may also sustain severe injuries due to negligence by attending medical staff. Failure to monitor for signs of infection, failure to monitor vital signs, and failure to recognize the need for a C-section operation in time could potentially result in severe injuries.

This is not an exhaustive list of every possible birth injury. Whenever such an injury occurs due to the negligence of attending physicians, nurses, or other medical staff, this can form the basis of a medical malpractice claim. In Ohio, there are specific rules for filing medical malpractice cases as well as limits on the damages a plaintiff can recover. You need to hire a birth injury lawyer to help you build this complex injury claim.

Recovering Compensation for a Birth Injury in Columbus

The plaintiff in any medical malpractice case in Ohio has the right to claim compensation for the economic and non-economic damages they suffered because of the defendant’s actions. While non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases are capped by state law, there is no limit on the economic damages the plaintiff may claim from the defendant. They have the right to pursue full compensation for economic damages, including:

• Immediate medical treatment costs. Any medical expenses incurred for addressing a medical emergency from a birth injury can be included as economic damages in the plaintiff’s medical malpractice suit.
• Long-term medical expenses. Victims of birth injuries may require extensive ongoing treatment, and some will require lifelong medical care to manage the permanent effects of severe birth injuries. Your attorney can accurately calculate these projected losses and add them to your claim.
• Lost income. If a birth injury forces any affected family member to take time away from work, lost wages during this time may be claimed as economic damages.
• Lost future earning capacity. A parent may need to quit working to care for a critically injured infant and provide ongoing daily care. If so, lost earning capacity could be included as economic damages in their medical malpractice claim.

Your Columbus birth injury lawyer at Spangenberg Shibley & Liber can help you accurately calculate all of the damages you are eligible to claim. While there is a limit on pain and suffering compensation in these cases, your attorney can help you secure as much as possible to reflect the scope and severity of the birth injury’s effects.

What to Expect From Your Columbus Birth Injury Lawyer

A skilled local attorney is an invaluable asset when facing a birth injury in Columbus. The team at Spangenberg Shibley & Liber has decades of experience representing clients in some of the most complex personal injury cases in Columbus and throughout Franklin County, and we are confident we can provide unmatched representation through every stage of the difficult proceedings you and your family face in your birth injury claim.

You can rely on us to handle the procedural requirements of filing a medical malpractice claim for a birth injury, such as obtaining an affidavit of merit from a qualified expert witness and submitting advance notice of your intent to file a claim to the defendant. We will accurately calculate all of the damages the defendant caused and help you resolve your case as efficiently as possible, whether through settlement negotiations or active litigation.

Ultimately, you are likely to have many difficult legal questions that only an experienced Columbus birth injury attorney can answer after your family has suffered any type of birth injury due to negligence. Spangenberg Shibley & Liber is ready to provide compassionate, results-driven support when you need it most, so reach out to our firm at your first opportunity to learn more about our legal services.

FAQs

Q: Will I Need to Go to Court for a Birth Injury Claim?

A: You may need to go to court for a birth injury claim if the defendant is unwilling to negotiate a settlement. Most hospitals and healthcare professionals accused of medical malpractice prefer to settle these cases quickly and quietly through private settlement negotiations, but this is not always a viable option. An experienced Columbus birth injury attorney at Spangenberg Shibley & Liber can negotiate a settlement if possible or represent you in court if necessary.

Q: What Is a Birth Injury Claim Worth in Columbus?

A: In Columbus, the value of a birth injury claim depends on several factors, and your attorney can accurately calculate the full extent of the damages you are eligible to claim from the defendant. You may be able to recover extensive compensation for all of the economic losses your family suffered, and a skilled attorney can assist your family in recovering as much compensation as state law allows for pain and suffering.

Q: Are There Penalties for Causing a Birth Injury in Ohio?

A: There could be penalties for causing a birth injury in Ohio, depending on how the defendant caused it. In some medical malpractice cases, the medical professional responsible for the victim’s injury could face suspension or even revocation of their medical license. If the defendant’s actions exceeded the scope of typical negligence or if their behavior was illegal in any way, they could face various penalties from their medical board and/or state authorities.

Q: Why Should I Hire a Birth Injury Lawyer in Columbus?

A: You should hire a birth injury lawyer in Columbus to have a better chance of reaching a favorable outcome in your case. You have limited time to build and file a medical malpractice claim in Ohio, and some of the evidence you need won’t be obtainable for long. Hiring experienced legal counsel significantly improves your chances of holding the defendant accountable for their negligence and recovering suitable compensation for your damages.

The team at Spangenberg Shibley & Liber has the skills and experience necessary for handling the most complex personal injury claims in Columbus, including birth injury claims. We can answer your questions and provide detailed guidance so you can approach this difficult situation with peace of mind. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with an experienced Columbus birth injury lawyer.

*Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own merits.