Iowa Birth Injury Lawyers

A birth injury diagnosis for a newborn baby turns what should be an exciting time into a scary, stressful one for parents. For many families, this cherished experience is overshadowed by the devastating realization that their baby has suffered a birth injury due to medical negligence. In an instant, what should have been the happiest day of their lives transforms into a time of fear, uncertainty, and heartbreak. 

At ABC Law Centers, our birth injury lawyers understands the overwhelming emotions that accompany such a diagnosis. New parents face an uphill battle as they navigate the complex world of medical care, therapies, and the legal process to ensure their child has the resources they need for a better future.

Preventable errors and negligent behavior constitute medical malpractice. If you or your loved one experienced a birth injury in Iowa, you may be entitled to compensation for future medical expenses and other care your child may need. 

Due to their complexity, birth injury cases require help from experienced and knowledgeable professionals. Attorneys who only handle birth injury cases have the right skills, networks, and knowledge to handle your child’s case with the utmost care. 

Birth injuries include several diagnoses, and they can be complex situations to unpack. For example, a child may receive a birth injury diagnosis shortly after birth and spend time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). In other cases, a birth injury may not be suspected until a child grows and shows delays in their development. 

Birth injuries occur when a medical provider’s negligent actions—or inactions—during pregnancy, labor, delivery, or neonatal care cause harm to a baby. These injuries can range from temporary complications to permanent disabilities that impact a child’s quality of life.

Common causes of birth injuries include:

• Delayed or improper response to fetal distress.
• Failure to recommend or perform a timely C-section.
• Improper use of delivery tools, such as forceps or vacuum extractors.
• Failure to monitor and address maternal or fetal infections.
• Errors in administering or monitoring medication during labor.

These preventable errors often lead to conditions such as cerebral palsy, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), or brachial plexus injuries, all of which can result in long-term medical needs and challenges.

As a parent, it’s heartbreaking to see your child struggle with challenges caused by medical negligence. You may feel lost and unsure where to turn. The good news is that our network of local lawyers understands the profound impact of these injuries and is here to help you seek justice. Below are some of the most common birth injuries we encounter, along with how they may affect your child:

• Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE): This condition occurs when a baby’s brain is deprived of oxygen during labor or delivery. It can lead to developmental delays, motor impairments, or epilepsy, requiring ongoing medical care.
• Delayed emergency C-section: A critical risk of a delayed emergency C-section is the deprivation of oxygen to the baby’s brain and vital organs. Prolonged labor or a difficult vaginal delivery before an emergency C-section may also cause physical injuries.
• Umbilical cord complications (such as a nuchal cord): Umbilical cord complications like a nuchal cord, where the cord wraps around the baby’s neck, can restrict oxygen and blood flow to the baby, leading to risks such as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), brain injury, or even stillbirth if not promptly addressed.
• Infant seizures: Seizures in newborns may indicate a serious brain injury. These can have lifelong implications if not properly addressed.
• Infections in newborns: Undiagnosed or untreated infections in the mother or baby can lead to severe complications during delivery, often with long-term effects.
• Cerebral palsy: Often caused by oxygen deprivation or trauma during delivery, cerebral palsy affects movement, muscle tone, and coordination. Families of children with cerebral palsy frequently face extensive medical and therapy costs.
• Erb’s Palsy and Brachial Plexus Injuries: Damage to the network of nerves in the neck and shoulder can cause loss of movement or weakness in the affected arm, as seen in conditions like Erb’s palsy.
• And several other birth injuries.

If your child has been diagnosed with one of these conditions or another birth injury, please know that you don’t have to face this alone. A birth injury lawyer from our network can help you understand your options and fight for the compensation your family deserves. 

A birth injury doesn’t just affect your child—it touches every aspect of your family’s life. As parents, you may be grappling with overwhelming emotions: guilt, anger, frustration, and a deep sadness for the future you envisioned for your baby. It’s important to know that you didn’t cause this and are not alone.

These feelings are natural, but they can be difficult to process when facing the practical challenges of supporting your child’s medical and developmental needs. In addition to the emotional toll, birth injuries often create unexpected and significant financial burdens. Many families struggle with the following:

• Long-term medical expenses: Ongoing care, including surgeries, medications, and specialist visits, can add up quickly and feel insurmountable.
• Costs for specialized therapies, equipment, and adaptive technologies: Physical, occupational, and speech therapies, as well as mobility aids or home modifications, may be essential for your child’s development and comfort.
• Lost wages: Parents often need to take extended time off work—or leave their jobs entirely—to provide the care and attention their child requires.
• Emotional and psychological counseling: Both parents and siblings may benefit from therapy to cope with the trauma of the injury and its lasting effects on family dynamics.

These challenges can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face them alone. A compassionate and knowledgeable birth injury lawyer from our network can help your family seek compensation to cover these expenses. 

By holding negligent medical providers accountable, you can secure the financial resources your child needs to thrive and give your family hope for the future. With the right support, there is a path forward.

Iowa has specific laws governing medical malpractice cases, including birth injuries. Work with a birth injury attorney who understands these laws to protect your rights and pursue justice for your child.

If you suspect malpractice caused an injury at birth, it’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible. There is a time limit for filing a lawsuit called the statute of limitations. The exact timeframe for the statute of limitations may vary based on the type of facility in which the negligence or malpractice occurred. It even varies for a child and parent. 

In Iowa, you have until the child’s 10th birthday to file for a birth injury case, if the child is younger than 8 years old. The statute of limitations for parents is 2 years.

Please note that statutes also may be subject to change. Your attorney will verify your statute and make sure you don’t miss the window for filing suit. 

Iowa law requires plaintiffs to establish that medical negligence directly caused the injury. Expert testimony from medical professionals is typically necessary to build a strong case. Our attorneys work with leading medical experts to build your case and support your claim.

At ABC Law Centers: Birth Injury Lawyers, we work closely with a network of trustworthy attorneys across the country. We have first-hand experience working with co-counsels in Iowa on birth injury cases.

Our attorneys focus exclusively on birth injury cases. We can share our knowledge of the complicated medical aspects of these cases and provide the compassion each family needs during this difficult time. Our staff is always available to answer any questions parents and caretakers may have.

Liability in a birth injury lawsuit often rests with the medical professionals or institutions responsible for providing care during pregnancy, labor, delivery, or the neonatal period. Potentially liable parties may include:

• Obstetricians and Doctors: They may be liable if they fail to recognize complications, delay necessary interventions, or deviate from standard medical practices.
• Nurses or Medical Staff: Negligent monitoring of the mother or baby, failure to communicate concerns to the doctor, or improper administration of medication can contribute to birth injuries.
• Hospitals or Birthing Centers: These facilities may be held liable if inadequate training, understaffing, or failure to maintain proper protocols led to the injury.
• Anesthesiologists: Errors in administering or monitoring anesthesia during labor or delivery can cause serious harm to both the mother and baby.
• Pharmaceutical Companies: The manufacturer could be held accountable if defective medications were used during labor or delivery and contributed to the injury.

Each case requires a thorough investigation to determine the responsible parties. A skilled attorney with experience handling birth injury claims can help families identify who may be liable and pursue compensation on their behalf.

We understand how overwhelming it can feel to take legal action while juggling your child’s care and grappling with emotional pain. That’s why our network of local Iowa attorneys is committed to standing by your side through every step of the process. These compassionate and skilled professionals can:

• Investigate what happened during your child’s birth to uncover evidence of negligence.
• Work with medical experts to establish a clear link between improper care and your child’s injury.
• Advocate for compensation to cover medical bills, therapy costs, and other essential services your child will need.
• Take on insurance companies or hospitals, ensuring that you and your family are treated with the respect and fairness you deserve.

When you work with our experienced birth injury attorneys, you’re not just getting legal representation—you’re gaining a partner who understands the challenges you’re facing and will fight tirelessly to secure the resources your child needs.

ABC Law Centers: Birth Injury Lawyers is one of the few firms in the United States to focus exclusively on birth injury cases. For over 25 years, our legal team has advocated for babies and children with a variety of conditions caused by medical malpractice or negligence at or around the time of birth.

Our team of award-winning attorneys and in-house medical staff are dedicated to securing our clients’ future care. Here’s how we stand out:

• Nationwide Reach: We connect families with local attorneys familiar with Iowa laws and court systems.
• Comprehensive Support: Our network includes attorneys and medical experts who understand the complexities of birth injury cases.
• Compassionate Care: We recognize the emotional weight of these cases and treat every family with the respect and empathy they deserve.

If your child suffered a birth injury in Iowa due to improper or negligent medical care, our network of local attorneys is here to help you pursue justice and seek the compensation your family needs.

If you suspect that medical negligence caused your child’s birth injury, do not wait to seek legal help. Our network of local Iowa lawyers is ready to provide guidance, investigate your claim, and advocate for your family’s rights. Birth injury cases are time-sensitive, and acting quickly ensures you do not miss critical deadlines.

No family should have to endure the pain of a preventable birth injury. While we cannot undo the harm caused, legal action can provide the financial resources necessary for your child’s care and future well-being. 

Contact ABC Law Centers today to connect with a local attorney dedicated to helping families facing birth injury lawsuits. We will fight for your family’s rights and work tirelessly to secure the justice you deserve. Call us at 248-593-5100 or fill out the contact form online.