The birth of a child is typically cause of great joy in a family, but the mood can change instantly when a baby is born with a serious injury. In some cases, these injuries may disappear in due time but many other injuries mean a lifelong series of challenges for the child and his or her family.
When a birth injury is caused by a medical professional’s negligence, the family may be entitled to compensation for all resulting damages. The Nye Law Group understands the tremendous emotional and financial stress that birth injuries place upon parents and entire families, which is why our firm fights to help these people get justice.
Types of South Carolina Birth Injuries
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in March 2017 that infant mortality rates have declined over the past decade. Babies can still be born with any number of serious injuries that may involve lifelong complications, including:
- Brachial plexus injury;
- Brain damage;
- Brusing or broken bones;
- Cerebral palsy;
- Hypoxia;
- Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE);
- Internal bleeding;
- Kernicterus;
- Meconium Aspiration Syndrome;
- Nerve damage; and
- Shoulder dystocia.
Some birth injury cases can also involve possible injuries to the mother. Many of these cases involve some kind of negligence on the part of medical professionals. It is not always immediately evident to parents that a child has suffered an injury.
Common Causes of Birth Injuries in South Carolina
A few of the most frequent reasons for birth injuries in South Carolina include, but are not limited to such instances of medical negligence as:
- Delayed C-section, failure to perform C-section, or other C-section errors;
- Failure to diagnose and treat fetal distress;
- Forceps delivery errors; or
- Medication errors.
Victims in birth injury cases can be entitled to compensation for various damages relating to the full lifetime of care the child will require. In addition to medical bills, this may also include long-term care needs, lost future earnings, and household modification costs. Victims may also be awarded noneconomic damages such as pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment of life.
Families only have three years to commence legal action for birth injuries, so it is important for victims to seek legal representation as soon as possible. Birth injuries can require extensive investigations in order to determine the causes of the injuries, and strong evidence is usually needed to hold negligent parties accountable.
Find a Birth Injury Lawyer in South Carolina
Was your child recently born in South Carolina with a serious birth injury? You will want to immediately contact the Nye Law Group for help determining whether medical negligence was the cause and if another party is liable to you for the damage caused.
Our experienced Bluffton personal injury attorneys represent clients all over South Carolina and work to make sure they receive all of the compensation they are entitled to. Call 855-636-9277 or contact us online to receive a free consultation that will let our firm review your case and help you understand all of your legal options.