When a medical mistake is made during or immediately after a birth, it can cause devastating injuries for both parents and child. These injuries can range from a mild condition that improves over time to a permanent physical or mental disability. Doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers have a duty to provide patients with the highest standard of care. If they do not meet this duty and a patient suffers injury as a result, they may be held liable for medical negligence.

Birth Injury Law Firm in Seattle: Helping Families Seek Compensation

An experienced Birth Injury Law Firm in Seattle will review the facts of the case to determine whether the child’s injuries are a result of medical malpractice. Typically, this involves gathering a large number of documents including the child’s medical records, fetal heart tracings and hospital admission notes. Attorneys will also consult with expert witnesses in the field to establish the standard of care a qualified medical professional would have provided in similar circumstances.

Several parties can be held liable for a birth injury. These include the doctor, nurse or other healthcare provider who did not provide the proper level of care; the hospital where the delivery took place for systemic issues such as inadequate staffing and improper policies; and an anesthesiologist if the injury is linked to anesthesia complications. Additionally, pharmacists and pharmaceutical companies may be liable if the injury is a result of medication errors such as misdiagnosis or wrong dosages.

Compensation for a child’s birth injury can help to cover costs such as in-home nursing, occupational and physical therapy, specialized equipment, and life-long medication costs. A successful personal injury suit can also award damages for pain and suffering, which covers emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and other non-economic losses.