Hundreds of Millions of Dollars Have Been Recovered for Injured Babies and Children
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Our Medical Malpractice Lawyers at The Child and Birth Injury Firm have spent decades helping children and families across Northeastern Pennsylvania. Today, we’re chatting about birth injuries in the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre (NEPA) area. We’ll share surprising local data, explain why it’s essential, and show how families can protect their little ones.
A birth injury is any physical harm a baby suffers just before, during, or right after being born. While some scrapes and bruises are common, a birth injury is more serious. We’re talking about things that can cause lifelong health problems for a child, like a lack of oxygen to the brain, broken bones, or nerve damage. Birth injuries can occur during the delivery process, especially during vaginal delivery, if medical staff do not provide proper medical attention. Complications as the baby passes through the birth canal can result in a serious medical condition requiring immediate intervention. These are the kinds of medical malpractice injuries that can make a family’s life much harder, both emotionally and financially. When a child suffered a birth injury due to negligence, it is crucial for families to take legal action to secure the compensation and care their child deserves.
Our goal isn’t just to talk about legal stuff, but to help you understand the risks and how to protect your child, right here in NEPA. The severity and type of your child’s injuries can significantly influence the compensation you may recover and the level of care your child will require.
When you think about the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre area, you probably think about families and community. It’s a great place to live, but just like anywhere, it’s essential to understand the health facts that matter to new parents.
Let’s start with local stats. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the combined area of Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties saw over 1,500 live births in a recent year. That’s a lot of new little lives! Now, not every birth sees a problem. Still, birth injuries can affect about 7 out of every 1,000 babies across Pennsylvania and the U.S. So, in our area, that can mean dozens of families dealing with a severe issue every year. Many of these are preventable injuries caused by medical errors during labor and delivery, and severe injuries can have a lasting impact on the child’s long-term health and the well-being of their family.
Here are some things that people don’t often mention, but they are a big deal for understanding birth injuries.
From what physical therapists, doctors, and families have taught us, here are some common causes:
Complications with the umbilical cord during delivery can lead to oxygen deprivation, physical trauma, or even spinal cord injuries.
In Pennsylvania, babies face some kind of injury in more than 6.6 per 1,000 births. And things get worse when a baby is stuck too long or not watched closely enough.
We want you to feel empowered. Here’s what we suggest:
Early Intervention (EI) is a free program for children from birth to age three with developmental delays or disabilities. This is often the most critical first step for families, as it provides a team of therapists who can work with your child at home. In the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area, these services are managed by the individual counties.
Lackawanna County Early Intervention Program: The Advocacy Alliance facilitates EI evaluation teams for Lackawanna County, providing a crucial entry point for families seeking services.
Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18: This organization provides early intervention services for Luzerne and Wyoming Counties for children from birth to age five. They help families and children with developmental delays or disabilities.
Allied Services is a leading provider of rehabilitation and specialized care in Northeastern Pennsylvania. They have dedicated pediatric centers in both Scranton and Wilkes-Barre that are well-equipped to handle the unique needs of children with birth injuries.
Scranton Pediatric Center: This location offers comprehensive physical, occupational, and speech therapy for newborns to young adults.
Wilkes-Barre Pediatric Center: This center also provides specialized rehabilitation services, including aquatic therapy, for children with neurological or other birth-related injuries.
For children diagnosed with cerebral palsy or other related disabilities, UCP of NEPA is an invaluable resource. They provide a range of services for children and adults, with a long history of expertise in the field of cerebral palsy.
UCP of NEPA: This organization offers various support services to help individuals with cerebral palsy and other disabilities reach their full potential.
While not in Scranton or Wilkes-Barre, Geisinger’s Janet Weis Children’s Hospital in Danville is a top-tier regional resource. They have a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and provide specialized care for complex cases, including brain injuries and neurological conditions that result from a difficult birth.
Geisinger Janet Weis Children's Hospital: This hospital offers advanced pediatric rehabilitation and a comprehensive team of specialists to provide care for the most challenging cases.
How to Choose a Lawyer for a Birth Injury Case in Scranton-Wilkes-Barre
Selecting the right birth injury lawyer is one of the most important decisions a family can make after their child has suffered a birth injury. The legal process surrounding medical malpractice and birth injury claims can be overwhelming, especially when you’re already coping with emotional distress and the challenges of caring for your child. Here’s what families in Scranton-Wilkes-Barre should look for when choosing a birth injury attorney to handle their case:
By carefully considering these factors, you can choose a birth injury lawyer who is equipped to handle your case with the expertise, dedication, and compassion your family deserves. The right legal team can make all the difference in helping you recover compensation for your child’s injuries and move forward with confidence.
What to Expect from the Legal Process
Navigating a birth injury claim can feel overwhelming, especially when your family is already coping with the emotional distress and financial strain of your child’s injuries. Understanding what to expect from the legal process can help you feel more confident and prepared as you seek justice and compensation for your child.
The journey typically begins with a free consultation with our birth injury lawyers. During this initial meeting, you’ll have the opportunity to share your story and discuss the details of your child’s birth injury. Our lawyers will listen carefully, review any available medical records, and help you determine whether you have grounds for a birth injury claim based on medical malpractice or negligence by healthcare providers.
If you decide to move forward, our legal team will get to work gathering crucial evidence. This includes obtaining comprehensive medical records, consulting with medical experts, and analyzing the actions of doctors, nurses, and other medical staff involved in your child’s birth. These experts play a vital role in identifying whether the standard of care was breached and if medical negligence contributed to your child’s injuries.
Once our birth injury lawyers have built a strong case, they will file a birth injury lawsuit on your behalf. This legal action seeks compensation for a range of damages, including medical expenses, occupational therapy, ongoing care, and the emotional distress your family has endured. Your lawyer will also pursue damages for pain and suffering, ensuring that all aspects of your child’s needs are addressed.
Throughout the legal process, our Scranton birth injury lawyer will keep you informed and involved. They will handle negotiations with the insurance company and opposing counsel, always striving for a favorable outcome that secures maximum compensation for your family. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your lawyer will be fully prepared to take your case to trial, presenting your story to a judge and jury.
It’s important to remember that birth injury cases can be complex and may take time to resolve. That’s why choosing a law firm with a proven track record in handling complex birth injury cases is so important. The right legal team will have the resources, experience, and dedication needed to guide you through every step of the process, from the initial consultation to the final resolution.
Families in northeastern Pennsylvania can trust that our dedicated Scranton birth injury lawyers will advocate tirelessly on their behalf. With deep knowledge of medical malpractice laws and a commitment to securing justice, your legal team will work to ensure your child receives the compensation and care they deserve.
If your child has suffered a birth injury, don’t wait to seek help. Reach out today to schedule a free consultation and take the first step toward holding negligent healthcare providers accountable and securing a brighter future for your child.
How common are medical malpractice birth injuries in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, and what kinds of injuries are most likely to happen here?
Birth injuries affect about 7 out of every 1,000 live births across the U.S. and Pennsylvania. While specific numbers for Scranton and Wilkes-Barre are not released, we know that there are over 1,500 births in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties combined each year. This suggests that dozens of families in the region are likely affected by a birth injury annually. The types of injuries most common here are similar to those seen elsewhere, including Cerebral Palsy, Erb’s Palsy, and Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE). These injuries are often caused by issues like lack of oxygen to the baby’s brain, improper use of delivery tools like forceps or vacuum extractors, or a doctor’s delay in performing a necessary C-section. Injuries can also occur as the baby passes through the birth canal, leading to trauma such as brachial plexus injuries.
It is important to distinguish birth injuries from birth defects. A birth defect is caused during fetal development and is not the result of trauma during delivery, while birth injuries occur during the birthing process. Birth defects can sometimes be linked to medical negligence, and families may be entitled to compensation if a birth defect was caused or worsened by improper care.
In rare cases, severe birth injuries can result in even death, highlighting the tragic consequences that can arise from medical negligence during childbirth.
What are the key local health factors in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre that increase the risk of a birth injury?
Several health statistics for Lackawanna and Luzerne counties, as reported by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, highlight risk factors for birth injuries. One often-overlooked statistic is maternal health and prenatal care. In Luzerne County, about 30% of mothers do not receive early prenatal care, which can lead to undiagnosed conditions that increase birth complications. A baby’s size is also a risk factor. When a baby is very large, it can get stuck during delivery, a condition called shoulder dystocia. This can lead to a brachial plexus injury like Erb’s palsy.
What role does medical negligence play in birth injuries at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre hospitals like Geisinger Community Medical Center or Moses Taylor Hospital?
While not every birth injury is due to a medical mistake, medical negligence is a leading cause of preventable birth injuries. According to national data, medical negligence accounts for about 40% of all birth injury claims. Common examples include a doctor failing to monitor a baby’s vital signs, a medical team waiting too long to perform an emergency C-section, or the improper use of delivery tools. A well-known local case in Lackawanna County resulted in a multi-million-dollar settlement for a child who suffered a severe brain injury, serving as a reminder that preventable mistakes can and do happen, even at respected hospitals.
Families often face significant medical bills and medical expenses after a birth injury, and insurance company coverage may not be sufficient to meet these ongoing costs. Scranton birth injury lawyers and personal injury lawyers can help families pursue a birth injury claim or birth injury lawsuit to recover financial compensation. Legal action may be necessary to secure maximum compensation, and establishing the legal duty of healthcare providers is a key part of the process.
What are the most common signs of a birth injury that parents in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre should watch for in their newborn?
The signs of a birth injury can range from easy-to-spot physical issues to more subtle developmental delays. Parents should be on the lookout for signs such as a floppy or weak arm, which could signal a brachial plexus injury; a high-pitched or unusual cry, which can be a sign of a brain injury; or difficulty eating or swallowing. Other signs might include a baby who doesn’t track objects with their eyes, or a noticeable lack of movement on one side of their body. It’s important for parents to bring any of these concerns to their pediatrician right away. Early diagnosis and intervention are critical for a child’s best possible outcome.
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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