Allentown Birth Injury Lawyer

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What should families in Allentown know about medical malpractice birth injuries?

Welcoming a new baby should be one of the most incredible moments of a family’s life. But for some families in Allentown and across Lehigh County, that joy can be replaced with a feeling of deep worry and confusion. When a child suffers a birth injury, it’s natural to have a million questions about what went wrong and what you should do next. At The Child Injury Firm, our team has dedicated decades to helping children who have been injured. We believe that a family in this situation needs clear, compassionate information they can trust. That’s why we’ve put together this guide for families in the Allentown area, so you can have a better understanding of what a birth injury is and how to protect your child’s future. A birth injury is any kind of harm that a baby suffers just before, during, or right after birth. It’s important to know that these injuries are not the same as birth defects, which are often caused by genetics. The key difference is that a birth injury is often preventable. The good news is that there are many great doctors and hospitals near you, but even in the best medical facilities, mistakes can happen.

How common are medical malpractice birth injuries in Allentown, and what are their causes?

If your child has a birth injury, it’s easy to feel alone. However, this is not an uncommon problem. Across Pennsylvania, a significant number of infants suffer from these types of injuries. A report from the Pennsylvania Department of Health shows that in Lehigh County, the infant mortality rate in 2022 was 4.2 infant deaths per 1,000 live births. While not all of these deaths are from birth injuries, this number highlights how serious complications can be. This is a topic very few people are talking about.

Birth injuries can be caused by many different factors, but they often happen when a medical professional fails to provide the proper care during a difficult birth. This can happen at a hospital near you, and it can be a devastating and confusing time for a family.

One of the most frequent causes is a lack of oxygen to the baby’s brain. This is a very serious injury called Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE), and it can happen if there is an issue with the umbilical cord or if a medical team is too slow to react to signs of a baby being in distress. For instance, a doctor might wait too long to order an emergency C-section, which can cause a lack of oxygen and lead to a lifelong injury like cerebral palsy.

Another common cause is improper use of medical tools. During a difficult delivery, a doctor might use tools like forceps or a vacuum extractor. If these tools are used improperly, they can cause nerve damage or even fractures. An injury to a baby’s brachial plexus, a group of nerves in the neck, can cause a condition called Erb’s Palsy, where the baby loses the ability to move their arm.

What should a family in Allentown (Lehigh County) do after a medical malpractice birth injury?

After a birth injury, the first and most important thing you should do is to get the medical care your child needs. This might mean seeing specialists or getting a second opinion. You want to make sure your child is getting the best possible treatment. There might be a great hospital or medical center near you that specializes in these kinds of injuries. After that, it is also important to take some other steps to protect your child’s rights.

First, document everything. Keep a journal of everything that happens and all the medical care your child receives. This can be very helpful later on. It’s also a good idea to get copies of all your medical records from your pregnancy, labor, and delivery. This can be a lot of paperwork, but it’s crucial.

Second, seek a clear diagnosis. It’s crucial to find out exactly what the injury is and what caused it. A clear diagnosis can help you understand the long-term care your child will need. A study in the Journal of Perinatal Medicine found that a significant portion of birth injuries are preventable, and getting a diagnosis can help a legal team understand if a mistake was made.

And finally, you should contact our trusted medical malpractice legal team that is experienced in birth injury cases. This might not be what you want to think about right now, but it is essential to act quickly. In Pennsylvania, there are time limits for filing lawsuits, and if you wait too long, you might lose your chance to get justice for your child. Our team has been doing this for decades and can review your case and help you understand if a mistake was made and if that mistake caused your child’s injury, and what your options are.

At The Child Injury Firm, we believe that every child deserves a life free from preventable harm. We are dedicated to helping families who have been impacted by these difficult situations. We want to be a resource for you, so we can help you understand what happened and what to do next. We can help you navigate this complex process and get the resources you need for your child’s care and a better future.

We understand that this is a difficult time for you. Our medical malpractice team is here to listen and help you find the answers you need.

Key Takeaways

Birth injuries are more common than you think, and they can often be prevented. A lack of oxygen or improper use of tools can cause serious, lifelong injuries.

Your child deserves the best medical care possible. Your priority should be to get a clear diagnosis and start a treatment plan.

Documentation is key. Keep all your medical records and a journal of what happened to help build your case later on.

Don’t wait. There are time limits for filing a lawsuit in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The sooner you speak with our medical malpractice legal team that specializes in these cases, the better.

Top Resource Groups in Allentown (Lehigh County)

1

Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) - Pediatric Rehabilitation Services

LVHN offers comprehensive pediatric rehabilitation services for children of all ages. Their team provides a range of therapies, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy, which are crucial for a child with a birth injury. They have multiple locations in Allentown and the surrounding area, making it convenient to find a great resource near you.

2

Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network

Based in Allentown, Good Shepherd is a nationally recognized leader in rehabilitation care for people with physical disabilities. They offer specialized programs and a wide range of therapies to help a child regain skills and improve their quality of life. They also host support groups to help families cope with the challenges of living with a disability.

3

Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living (LVCIL)

LVCIL is a local organization that helps people with disabilities live independently. They offer a parent support group that provides monthly training and a peer mentorship program to connect you with other parents who have lived through similar experiences. This is a great resource if you are looking for the best support from people who truly understand what you are going through.

4

Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital - Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital offers a comprehensive pediatric behavioral health program. They provide counseling and support to help families navigate the emotional and mental health challenges that can come with a birth injury diagnosis. This is an important resource for a family looking for the best support to help with their emotional health.

5

Easterseals Eastern Pennsylvania

Easterseals is a non-profit that provides essential services for children with special needs. They offer early intervention programs, support groups for caregivers, and a wide range of educational and therapeutic services. Their local office in Allentown is a valuable resource for families looking for guidance and support.

Common Questions about Birth Injury in Allentown (Lehigh County)

What is the difference between a birth injury and a birth defect in Allentown?

The biggest difference is the cause. A birth defect is a condition that a baby is born with, and it usually develops while the baby is in the womb. A birth injury, on the other hand, is harm that a baby suffers just before, during, or right after birth. These injuries are often caused by a difficult delivery or, in some cases, a mistake made by a doctor or hospital staff. With top hospitals like Lehigh Valley. and St. Luke's University Health Network delivering thousands of babies in the area each year, it is important for families to understand the difference between these two conditions.

What are some of the most common causes of birth injuries in Allentown?

Based on our medical malpractice experience, many birth injuries are caused by a lack of oxygen to the baby’s brain, improper use of delivery tools like forceps, or a delayed C-section. When a doctor fails to act quickly in a difficult delivery, a baby can be deprived of oxygen, which can cause a serious and lifelong injury.

What does it cost to raise a child with a birth injury in Allentown?

Raising a child with a serious birth injury can be a huge financial burden. In Allentown and across Lehigh County, the costs can be staggering, often reaching into the multi millions of dollars over a child's lifetime. A birth injury lawsuit can help a family get the financial resources they need to care for their child.

What are some of the signs of a birth injury that parents in Allentown might see?

A birth injury can cause a wide range of symptoms. Parents might notice that their baby has trouble feeding, a limp arm, or seems to have a hard time moving one side of their body. These could be signs of nerve damage or other serious injuries. Because of these concerns, parents often turn to specialists at local hospitals to find the best answers and diagnosis. Getting a diagnosis is crucial because a study by the Pennsylvania Department of Health shows that Lehigh County has a higher rate of both preterm and low birth weight babies compared to the state average, which are factors that can increase the risk of a birth injury.

How has technology changed the way birth injury cases are handled in Allentown?

Technology has made a huge difference. Today, our medical malpractice legal team can use electronic health records, which provide a very detailed, minute-by-minute account of a delivery. Our lawyers can also use advanced computer models to help visualize what happened during a complicated birth. Additionally, they can analyze fetal heart rate monitor strips with specialized software to spot signs of fetal distress that may have been missed by a medical team. This technology helps to build a stronger case, making it much easier to prove that a medical mistake occurred and that a birth injury could have been prevented in Allentown, PA. 

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Testimonials

Child & Birth Injury Lawyers: Making a Difference When It Matters Most

Catastrophic child and birth injuries can shatter the lives of not just the babies and children, but also their families. Families are left to navigate a complex maze of medical challenges, financial burdens, and emotional turmoil. But, this is where Jeffrey Killino and his team of dedicated lawyers can provide the support and guidance families need most.

Life-Changing Financial Security

For over 2 decades, Jeffrey Killino and his team have secured life-changing results for babies and children facing catastrophic injuries. Our clients gain access to the best medical care, financial security, and peace of mind, knowing their futures are protected.

Ongoing Client Support and Protection

Jeffrey Killino and his team of child and birth injury lawyers are committed to go beyond securing multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. We measure our success by our positive impact on our clients’ lives. We’re dedicated to supporting them throughout their journey, even after their case is resolved.

Caring for Clients and the Community

Jeffrey Killino and his team of child and birth injury lawyers are committed to more than just securing multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. We measure our success by our positive impact on our clients’ lives, helping them access the best medical care, achieve financial security, and find peace of mind. We also actively work to prevent injuries and promote safety for everyone.

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