Youngstown Birth Injury Lawyer

The birth of a child should be a cause for celebration for any family, but a birth injury can mar the experience and cause devastating effects on the child and/or mother. If your family has recently experienced any type of birth injury at Mercy Health St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital or any other medical treatment facility in the area, it’s crucial to consult an experienced Youngstown birth injury lawyer at your first opportunity.

Representing Birth Injury Claims in Youngstown, OH

Spangenberg Shibley & Liber has been representing injured clients throughout Ohio since 1946. With over 80 years of experience and more than $1 billion in compensation recovered for our clients, we are confident we can provide unmatched legal representation in the most challenging personal injury cases. * A birth injury can potentially result in lifelong disabilities and tremendous financial stress for any family, and we can help you pursue accountability.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, as of 2021, there were about 29 birth injuries for every 1,000 live births in the US. Most of these birth injuries are injuries to the scalp, such as caput succedaneum, which is swelling of the scalp, or cephalohematoma, the pooling of blood under the newborn’s scalp. Other commonly reported birth injuries include:

• Erb’s palsy, which results from nerve damage in the brachial plexus. This can result in weakness and delayed development in the affected arm.
• Facial nerve paralysis. This may result from the misuse of surgical tools such as forceps during delivery.
• Broken collarbones and arm bones or dislocated shoulders. Excessive force when extracting a newborn from the birth canal can potentially cause traumatic injuries throughout the baby’s upper body.
• Brain damage from lack of oxygen, which may result in cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is a permanently disabling condition that manifests differently in each individual. Some children with cerebral palsy live relatively normal lives, while others struggle with profound disabilities.
• Internal organ injuries, including hemorrhaging.
• Injuries to the mother, such as an infection resulting from failure to monitor the patient’s vital signs or recognize the need for a C-section.

This is not an exhaustive list of all the birth injuries that might result from negligence during a childbirth procedure. If you believe that your child’s birth injury resulted from any type of negligence, this can form the basis of a medical malpractice claim. It’s crucial to hire a birth injury lawyer at your first opportunity so they can begin gathering evidence to build your case.

Recovering Compensation for a Birth Injury in Youngstown

Ohio upholds strict rules for medical malpractice cases, including birth injury claims. Your Youngstown birth injury lawyer can help you prove that the defendant breached the standard of care they were required to follow during the situation in question and that this breach directly resulted in a birth injury.

The plaintiff in a birth injury case has the right to claim full compensation for all economic losses resulting from the incident, but there is a limit on compensation for non-economic damages. A medical malpractice plaintiff cannot receive more than the greater of $250,000 or three times the total of their claimed economic damages, up to a maximum of $350,000 per plaintiff or $500,000 per occurrence.

The economic damages you may recover could include all medical expenses related to the birth injury, including the cost of future medical treatment the victim requires to reach maximum medical improvement. If a parent must stop working to address their child’s birth injury, they can claim compensation for their lost income and lost future earning capacity. Your attorney can accurately calculate all of the economic damages you are eligible to seek with your claim.

Ultimately, any birth injury is a catastrophic event for the family, and you are likely to have many legal questions in the aftermath of a birth injury that resulted from negligence. The team at Spangenberg Shibley & Liber has extensive experience recovering compensation for injured clients in a wide range of difficult cases, so reach out to our firm to learn how we can assist with your birth injury case.

FAQs

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

A: The value of a birth injury claim in Youngstown depends on several factors. You may be eligible to claim substantial compensation for immediate and future medical expenses, lost wages, and lost earning capacity. Your attorney can also help you secure as much compensation as possible for pain and suffering.

Q: What Are the Penalties for Causing a Birth Injury in Youngstown?

A: Penalties for causing a birth injury in Youngstown can include more than just civil liability for the victim’s damages. The medical professional responsible for causing the injury may face a suspension or even revocation of their medical license. In extreme cases involving criminal negligence, criminal charges could come into play. Your attorney can explain how any such factors could influence the outcome of your case.

Q: How Do You Prove Liability in a Birth Injury Claim?

A: To prove liability in a birth injury claim, you must prove that the defendant breached the standard of care required for the situation in question. This could require evidence such as medical records, witness statements, and expert witness testimony that your attorney can secure on your behalf. Success with any medical malpractice case in Ohio hinges on proving that the injury resulted from the defendant’s failure to meet the patient’s standard of care.

Q: Why Should I Hire a Birth Injury Lawyer?

A: You should hire a birth injury lawyer because your case is likely to be more complicated than it initially appears. There are also strict statutory rules for medical malpractice cases in Ohio that do not apply to most other personal injury cases, and you need legal counsel experienced with these rules. You are more likely to succeed with your claim and more likely to recover suitable compensation with an experienced attorney representing you.

The attorneys at Spangenberg Shibley & Liber have decades of proven experience handling some of the most challenging personal injury claims in Youngstown and throughout Mahoning County. If your family has experienced a birth injury due to a medical professional’s negligence, we can help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Youngstown birth injury lawyer. We look forward to handling your case.

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