Hundreds of Millions of Dollars Have Been Recovered for Injured Babies and Children
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Welcoming a new baby into the world is supposed to be one of the happiest times in a person’s life. When everything goes right, it’s a moment of pure joy. But sometimes, something goes wrong. A child can suffer a birth injury. It’s a difficult and confusing time for any family, and it often leaves parents with many questions about what happened and why.
At The Child Injury Firm, we’ve dedicated our careers to helping children and their families in Pennsylvania. We know how overwhelming this can be, and we want to provide some clear information to help you understand what a birth injury is and what your options are. Our goal is to be a helpful, experienced resource that you can trust.
A birth injury is any kind of harm or damage that a baby suffers just before, during, or right after birth. Sometimes these injuries are minor, but sometimes they can be very serious and lead to long-term health problems. Many parents wonder if the injury was just an accident or if it could have been prevented. We want to help answer that question.
When a birth injury happens, it can feel like you’re alone. But sadly, it’s not as uncommon as you might think. A study by the CDC found that around 343 births out of every 100,000 lead to a birth injury, which shows that it’s a problem that affects many families across the country. In Pennsylvania, our hospitals deliver tens of thousands of babies every year, so the number of birth injuries in our state alone is significant.
The causes of these injuries can be very complex. Sometimes, an injury is simply the result of a difficult birth. But often, it’s a sign of a mistake that could have been avoided. Medical professionals are trained to handle the stress of childbirth, and when they fail to provide the standard of care, it can lead to a preventable injury.
One of the most common causes of birth injuries is a lack of oxygen to the baby’s brain. This is a very serious type of injury called Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE). It can happen if there is a problem with the umbilical cord, or if the medical team is too slow to react to signs that the baby is in distress. For example, suppose a medical professional is too slow to order an emergency C-section when it is needed. In that case, it can cause the baby to lose oxygen and suffer a lifelong injury like cerebral palsy. We’ve found that these kinds of delays are a major problem.
Another common cause is improper use of delivery tools, such as forceps or vacuum extractors. These tools can be very helpful, but if they are used improperly or with too much force, they can cause nerve damage or even fractures to the baby’s skull. 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. The March of Dimes has estimated that for every 1000 live births, around one baby suffers from a brachial plexus injury, a statistic that highlights how often this type of injury can occur.
After a birth injury, the first and most important thing to 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 essential 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. For example, if the doctor gives a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, you will know that the child will need physical therapy and other types of care. A diagnosis can also help our team understand if the injury was preventable.
And finally, you should call the team at Child and Birth Injury Lawyers. This might not be what you want to think about right now, but it is important 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. A team that has been doing this for decades, like ours, can review your case and help you understand if a mistake was made. We can help you understand if a 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 team at The Child Injury Firm is here to listen and help you find the answers you need.
Across Pennsylvania, families have access to a wide range of high-quality maternity hospitals, from large academic medical centers in major cities to excellent community hospitals in suburban and rural areas. Most maternity care is provided by several large, integrated health systems that operate facilities throughout the state. The choice of hospital often depends on geographic location, a family’s obstetrician, and insurance coverage. Major health systems known for comprehensive maternity care in Pennsylvania include:
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 first 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.
Online searches are helpful. The internet can help you find the best hospitals and doctors.
Don’t wait. There are time limits for filing a lawsuit in Pennsylvania. The sooner you speak with our legal team that specializes in these cases, the better.
This wonderful organization provides one-on-one emotional support by connecting families with a trained support parent who has been on a similar journey. They have a free matching service to ensure you are connected with a family that has faced a similar situation. This is a great resource if you are looking for the best support in your time of need.
Website: https://www.parenttoparent.org/
The Parent Education & Advocacy Leadership (PEAL) Center is a fantastic resource for families with children who have disabilities or special health care needs. They provide support, resources, and training to help you navigate the complex worlds of special education and healthcare. They can help you find a great resource near you.
Website: https://www.pealcenter.org/
UCP is a well-known organization that offers a wide range of services for people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. Their services often include support groups, educational programs, and advocacy to help improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Their team of experts can help you find the best support for your child and family.
Website: https://www.ucpcentralpa.org/
Shriners is a national network of hospitals that provides specialized medical care for a wide range of conditions, including Erb’s Palsy and other birth-related injuries. They are known for their expertise in treating brachial plexus injuries and offer both surgical and non-surgical treatments. They are a national resource you can trust to help find the best care and support for a child with a birth injury.
Website: https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/
CHOP is one of the top children’s hospitals in the country and has a dedicated program for brachial plexus injuries. Their team of pediatric experts provides a coordinated, individualized treatment plan for infants and children. They also offer resources and educational materials to help families feel confident in the care they provide for their child.
The Arc is a national organization with local chapters that advocates for the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They provide information, advocacy, and support programs for families. If you are looking for local support groups or resources in a community near you, The Arc can be an excellent place to start.
Website: https://thearcpa.org/
This is a program run by the Pennsylvania Department of Health that provides a helpline for information, resources, and services for children with special health care needs and disabilities. They can help families find doctors, specialists, and support groups. They also provide information on resources for getting financial help with medical bills and assistive technology.
The most significant 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. In Pennsylvania, it is estimated that about 7 out of every 1,000 births in some of our larger cities, like Philadelphia, face complications that could lead to an injury.
A birth injury can have a wide range of effects, from bruises that heal quickly to serious, lifelong conditions. You should always watch your child for signs that something is wrong, especially as they grow. Some things to look for that might be a sign of a serious problem are developmental delays (like not sitting up or crawling on time), poor muscle control, or unusual movements. This is a crucial step in Pennsylvania, as a clear diagnosis can help our legal team understand if the injury was caused by medical negligence.
The answer to this depends on the type of injury. Some injuries, like a broken collarbone, usually heal completely with the right medical care. Other, more serious injuries, like brain damage from a lack of oxygen, can be permanent. While conditions like cerebral palsy are not curable, therapy and treatment can often help a child improve and live a fuller life. An experienced medical team in Pennsylvania can give you a clear prognosis for your child's specific injury.
Proving medical negligence in Pennsylvania is a very complex process. It involves showing that the medical team did not follow the standard of care—the way a reasonable professional would act in a similar situation. To prove this, our legal team would hire medical experts to review all of your family's medical records. These experts would look for things like mistakes in the baby's monitoring strips, improper use of delivery tools, or a delay in ordering a necessary procedure like an emergency C-section. In fact, a recent statistic found that 28% of birth injuries in Pennsylvania are linked to preventable medical errors.
If a birth injury was caused by medical negligence, a lawsuit can help a family in Pennsylvania get the financial resources they need to care for their child. Under Pennsylvania law, a family can seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. This can include money for past and future medical bills, therapy, special education, and adaptive equipment. It can also help pay for things like your child's pain and suffering and the emotional distress the family has gone through.
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.
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.
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.
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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