Washington Birth Injury Lawyers
Childbirth is a special moment in every parent’s life. Unfortunately, the medical staff you entrust with your care can make mistakes that can lead to birth injuries – complications that can cause lifelong issues for your child. These mistakes can be a result of negligent behavior or malpractice. If your child experienced a birth injury in Washington, you may be entitled to compensation for future medical expenses and other care the child may need.
Contact a birth injury lawyer from ABC Law Centers to discuss your case and legal options during a free and confidential consultation.
Why Choose ABC Law Centers for your Washington birth injury claim
We understand that facing a birth injury can be an overwhelming and emotionally challenging experience for Washington families. At ABC Law Centers, we’re not just attorneys—we’re compassionate advocates who genuinely care about your family’s well-being. For over 25 years, we’ve dedicated our practice exclusively to helping families like yours navigate the complex world of birth injury litigation. We know each case is unique, and we’re committed to providing the personalized attention and support you deserve during this difficult time.
Our team combines legal knowledge with heartfelt understanding. We have in-house medical professionals, including registered nurses, who work alongside our network of attorneys to ensure we fully grasp the medical aspects of your case. This allows us to not only build a strong legal argument but also to truly comprehend the challenges your family is facing. We’ll take the time to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and explain every step of the process in a way that’s clear and reassuring.
Choosing ABC Law Centers means partnering with a firm that will stand by your side throughout your journey. We’re committed to fighting for the compensation your child needs for ongoing care and support, but we also understand that no amount of money can erase the pain you’ve experienced. That’s why we strive to be more than just your legal representatives—we aim to be a source of support and guidance as you navigate this challenging time. With our experience in Washington birth injury cases and our compassionate approach, we’ll work tirelessly to help your family move forward and secure the best possible future for your child.
Attorneys at ABC Law Centers: Birth Injury Lawyers work closely with a network of trustworthy attorneys across the country and have first-hand experience working with local counsel in Washington on these cases.
Tell us your story.
Attorneys at ABC Law Centers: Birth Injury Lawyers have helped advise parents with birth injury cases for over 25 years. We are glad to consult with you and answer your questions, absolutely free.
Understanding Birth Injuries
Birth injuries are a heartbreaking reality that can occur during pregnancy, labor, delivery, or shortly after birth. While some birth complications are unavoidable, many injuries result from medical negligence or malpractice. These preventable injuries can have lifelong consequences for both the child and the family.
While some birth injuries may be immediately apparent, others can be more subtle and may not become evident until later in a child’s development. As your child grows, you might notice delays in reaching important milestones such as rolling over, sitting up, crawling, or speaking. These signs could potentially indicate a birth injury that wasn’t initially obvious. It’s important for parents to trust their instincts and seek medical advice if they have any concerns about their child’s development.
Common Birth Injuries
Some of the more common birth injury cases our attorneys have handled include one or more of the following conditions:
- Cerebral palsy
- Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
- A high-risk pregnancy
- A delayed emergency C-section
- Umbilical cord problems
- Infant seizures
- And other birth injuries
Each of these conditions can have a profound impact on a child’s development and quality of life. As parents, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed and unsure about what steps to take next. That’s where we come in.
The Impact of a Birth Injury
The effects of a birth injury can extend far beyond the initial trauma. Families often face significant emotional, financial, and practical challenges in the wake of such an event. These may include:
- Ongoing Medical Care: Many birth injuries require long-term medical treatment, therapy, and specialized care.
- Financial Strain: The costs associated with medical treatments, adaptive equipment, and specialized education can be overwhelming for families.
- Emotional Toll: Parents and siblings may experience stress, anxiety, and grief as they adjust to the new realities of caring for a child with special needs.
- Life Planning: Families must often reconsider their long-term plans to accommodate their child’s needs.
We understand these challenges intimately. Our goal is not only to secure the compensation you need to provide for your child’s care, but also to offer support and guidance as you navigate this new journey.
Medical Negligence in Birth Injury Cases
The journey through pregnancy and childbirth should be a time of joy and anticipation. However, when medical professionals fail to meet the standard of care expected in their field, the consequences can be devastating.
At ABC Law Centers, we’ve encountered numerous cases where medical negligence has led to birth injuries. While each case is unique, there are some common forms of medical malpractice that we see repeatedly in birth injury cases. These include:
- Failure to Monitor: Not properly monitoring the mother or baby during pregnancy, labor, or delivery.
- Delayed C-Section: Failing to perform a timely cesarean section when necessary.
- Improper Use of Birth-Assisting Tools: Misuse of forceps or vacuum extractors during delivery.
- Medication Errors: Administering incorrect medications or dosages to the mother during pregnancy or labor.
- Failure to Diagnose: Missing crucial signs of fetal distress or maternal health issues.
- Oxygen Deprivation: Not responding quickly enough to signs of oxygen deprivation during birth.
- Improper Delivery Techniques: Using improper techniques during a difficult delivery, causing physical trauma to the baby.
Identifying these instances of negligence requires a deep understanding of both medical standards and legal principles. Our team at ABC Law Centers has the knowledge and resources to thoroughly investigate your case and determine if medical malpractice played a role in your child’s injury.
Compensation in Birth Injury Cases
While no amount of money can undo the pain your family has experienced, appropriate compensation can help ensure that your child receives the best possible care and support throughout their life. Damages in a birth injury case may include:
- Medical Expenses: Past, current, and future medical costs related to the birth injury.
- Therapy and Rehabilitation: Costs for physical, occupational, and other necessary therapies.
- Assistive Devices: Expenses for wheelchairs, braces, or other adaptive equipment.
- Special Education: Costs associated with specialized educational needs.
- Lost Wages or Income: Compensation for parents who need to reduce work hours or leave jobs to care for their child.
- Pain and Suffering: Non-economic damages for the physical and emotional distress experienced by the child and family.
- Life Care Costs: Anticipated expenses for the child’s lifelong care needs.
Our team works diligently to ensure that any settlement or verdict adequately addresses your child’s long-term needs and provides financial security for your family.
The Legal Process in Washington Birth Injury Cases
Pursuing a birth injury claim in Washington can be a complex process, but you don’t have to face it alone. Here’s an overview of what you can expect when working with ABC Law Centers:
- Initial Consultation: We’ll meet with you to discuss your case free of charge. This is an opportunity for us to learn about your situation and for you to ask any questions you may have.
- Investigation: Our team will gather and review medical records, consult with experts, and thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding your child’s injury.
- Case Evaluation: We’ll provide an honest assessment of your case, explaining your legal options and potential outcomes.
- Filing the Claim: If we determine that you have a valid case, we’ll file a claim on your behalf against the responsible parties.
- Negotiation: We’ll negotiate with the defendants and their insurance companies to seek a fair settlement that addresses your child’s current and future needs.
- Litigation: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we’re prepared to take your case to trial and advocate for you in court.
Throughout this process, we’ll keep you informed and involved, ensuring that you understand each step and feel empowered to make decisions about your case.
Washington Birth Injury FAQs
How do I know if my child's birth injury was caused by medical negligence?
It’s not always easy to determine if medical negligence played a role in your child’s birth injury. Some signs that may indicate malpractice include unexpected complications during delivery, a lack of proper monitoring, or failure to respond quickly to signs of fetal distress.
However, the best way to know for sure is to have your case reviewed by experienced professionals. At ABC Law Centers, we offer free consultations where our legal and medical team can evaluate your situation and help you understand if medical negligence may have been a factor.
How long do I have to file a birth injury lawsuit in Washington?
In Washington, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice cases, including birth injuries, is generally three years from the date of the injury.
However, there are exceptions, especially for cases involving children. For instance, if the injury wasn’t discovered immediately, you may have more time to file.
It’s crucial to consult with a birth injury attorney as soon as possible to ensure your rights are protected and to allow adequate time for a thorough investigation of your case.
Will filing a lawsuit mean we have to go to court?
Not necessarily. Many birth injury cases are settled out of court through negotiations with the responsible parties and their insurance companies. Our goal at ABC Law Centers is to secure fair compensation for your family while minimizing stress and emotional strain. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, which often motivates the other side to offer a fair settlement. However, if a satisfactory agreement can’t be reached, we’re fully prepared to advocate for you in court.
How can we afford a birth injury lawyer?
At ABC Law Centers, we understand the financial strain that families face after a birth injury. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay any upfront costs or attorney fees. We only get paid if we secure compensation for you, either through a settlement or a court verdict. Our fees come as a percentage of the compensation awarded, so you don’t have to worry about out-of-pocket legal expenses during this challenging time. We believe that every family deserves access to quality legal representation, regardless of their financial situation.
About ABC Law Centers: Birth Injury Lawyers
If your child has suffered a birth injury in Washington, contact ABC Law Centers for a free, no-obligation consultation. During this initial meeting, we’ll listen to your story, answer your questions, and provide an honest assessment of your potential case. This is an opportunity for you to learn more about your legal options without any pressure or commitment.
Remember, seeking legal help doesn’t mean you’re looking for someone to blame. It’s about ensuring your child has access to the best possible care and support throughout their life. It’s about holding medical professionals accountable and preventing similar incidents from happening to other families. Most importantly, it’s about securing a brighter future for your child and your family.
The attorneys at ABC Law Centers: Birth Injury Lawyers have exclusively handled birth injury cases since the firm’s inception in 1997. Our firm has a network of renowned medical, economic, and forensics experts on our side. Our attorneys have been consistently recognized for their work in birth injury. We are available 24/7 for a free consultation, and we do not charge any fees for the entire legal process unless we recover compensation in your case.
Contact us today, and let us work together to secure the support and care your child deserves.