The trauma of a birth injury can extend far beyond the physical harm to a newborn or mother. Treating an injury suffered during or after birth can require long-term, expensive medical care that puts an immense financial and emotional burden on the whole family. This burden can be all the heavier when the cause of the harm is a negligent medical professional. When a healthcare provider’s mistakes or oversights result in a birth injury, parents have the right to seek legal representation and file a medical malpractice claim against the provider.
This blog post will explain what New Jersey parents should know about their legal rights after a birth injury. We’ll outline how a birth injury law firm can help you and your family get justice for malpractice. We’ll also offer tips for finding a qualified New Jersey advocate to fight for your case.
Why Hire a Birth Injury Law Firm
Qualified legal support is essential for anyone who believes a healthcare provider’s mistakes harmed them or their child. Here are some ways a New Jersey legal representative can help after a preventable birth injury.
Hold Negligent Professionals Accountable
Medical professionals have a professional and legal duty to provide competent care to all newborns and mothers. When they fail to meet that standard, they deserve to be held accountable for unnecessary harm caused by:
- Delayed diagnosis,
- Excessive force in delivery,
- Misuse of medical tools,
- Head trauma,
- Improper infant monitoring, and
- More.
New Jersey medical malpractice lawyers have the background and experience to hold a provider legally responsible for their substandard care. With their knowledge of malpractice law and connections to medical experts, birth injury attorneys understand how to build a case against a provider and prove their negligence with evidence.
Identify Harmful Mistakes and Oversights
The skills of a birth injury lawyer are vital for establishing the facts after a birth injury and preventing a similar tragedy from potentially happening in the future. Since many different medical professionals are involved in a birth, it can be challenging to immediately identify the source of a damaging mistake. A trained attorney can investigate and clarify the circumstances around a birth injury, determine the party at fault, and help ensure corrective actions are taken to avoid future injuries.
Recover Financial Support for Your Family’s Future
Birth injuries are among the most costly types of medical malpractice for victims and their families. Children with birth injuries can suffer serious, long-term consequences that may require a lifetime of treatment. With a malpractice attorney's support, parents can recover the financial resources needed to provide their child with the treatment they need to achieve the best quality of life. Compensation for a birth injury claim can pay for:
- Future surgeries and medical care,
- Physical therapy,
- Medications,
- Specialized equipment,
- Home modifications, and
- Caregiver costs.
A malpractice attorney’s knowledge and negotiation skills are crucial for strengthening your case for compensation and increasing the chances of the best possible outcome for your family.
4 Ways to Find a Qualified New Jersey Birth Injury Law Firm
Searching for a trusted legal advocate can seem overwhelming for parents still recovering from the shock of a birth injury. Here are some strategies that can help simplify the search and bring you closer to the professional guidance you need.
1. Ask for Reliable Recommendations
Talking to trusted friends and family members is a good starting point for finding lawyers in your area. Even if you don’t want to share the details of your case, these conversations can help identify attorneys who represent patients in malpractice cases.
2. Consult the Bar Association
Your New Jersey County Bar Association can provide referrals to local attorneys and birth injury law firms. The bar association can also help confirm whether a lawyer or firm is fully licensed or has been subject to any disciplinary actions.
3. Do Some Research
Use the internet to look into the background of any law firm you’re considering. A law firm’s website often includes valuable information about a firm, including:
- Types of medical malpractice they handle,
- Attorney certifications and awards,
- Past case results and settlement amounts, and
- Client testimonials.
You can also often find reviews of law firms and individual lawyers on third-party websites. However, take the information you find there with a grain of salt, especially if reviews are anonymous.
4. Arrange Consultations
Many birth injury law firms offer free consultations for potential clients. These meetings are a great opportunity to ask questions about your options, learn what a firm offers, and evaluate whether the firm is a good fit. Schedule meetings with several firms and take notes on your impressions.
What to Consider When Searching for Birth Injury Law Firms
There are many factors to consider when choosing a medical malpractice lawyer. Here are some key features that parents considering a birth injury claim should prioritize in their search:
- A track record of successful medical malpractice verdicts and settlements,
- Experience with birth injury cases similar to yours,
- Connections to medical experts who can testify in your case,
- Administrative staff to research and support your claim,
- Accessible local offices, and
- Transparent and open communication skills.
Do your research, but also trust your gut. The best malpractice attorneys give your case the personalized, compassionate attention it deserves. If you feel uncomfortable or overlooked in a consultation, there may be a better fit for you.
Fighting Justice for New Jersey Families
At O’Connor, Parsons, Lane & Noble, LLC, we understand the stress and uncertainty that comes with navigating a birth injury claim. For almost two decades, our representatives have fought on behalf of New Jersey families who’ve suffered at the hands of negligent medical providers. We’re proud to have a track record of multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts for our clients, including the state’s largest birth injury verdict.
Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and learn more. If you hire us, we charge no fees unless we win compensation for your family.
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