Birth Injury Compensation
Children who are victims of birth injuries deserve to have all the resources they need to live a happy life. A settlement can provide them with the financial assistance they require to receive these resources.
A petition may be filed by a personal representative, guardians, parents, or next-of-kin of an injured child. Upon filing such a petition an undisputed assumption will be made that the alleged injury was a neurologic birth injury as defined by SS 38.2-5001.
Medical expenses
It can be extremely traumatic to discover that a child suffered a birth injury because of medical negligence. Aside from the emotional trauma that can be experienced as a result of the injury, financial burdens can be significant. Parents are accountable for medical treatment as soon as they can and may need to spend all their lives in therapy and other treatments.
Your lawyer will scrutinize the evidence to prove that an healthcare professional made an error that led directly to your child’s injuries. The attorney will then determine the projected future costs for your child to include in a demand for compensation. These expenses are referred to as economic damages.
Besides paying for your child’s medical bills as well as other expenses that arise, you can also claim non-economic damages to compensate you and your family members for the suffering and suffering your child has experienced. These are typically not than measurable, and can include a loss in quality of life and mental anguish, as well as disfigurement as well as other intangible losses.
Many states have passed medical indemnity plans to cover certain future medical and rehabilitation costs for patients suffering from serious birth injuries. These funds are financed by a portion of malpractice insurance premiums or require hospitals and doctors to contribute. For instance the New York’s Medical Indemnity Fund provides lifetime payments for children and adults with a neurological birth injury.
Pain and suffering
The cost of providing your child with lifetime medical care and treatment following a birth injury is incredibly expensive. Even minor injuries can quickly grow. The pain and suffering that comes with these injuries could be just as severe and you’re entitled to compensation for it.
No matter how serious your child’s injuries are, you should not talk to the hospital or insurance company without consulting an attorney. You could be able to use what you say against them, and they may try to decrease your compensation. This is why it’s vital to speak with a seasoned birth injury lawyer before doing anything else.
Once you’ve consulted with an attorney, they will develop a convincing case for your child and their injuries. This includes getting expert witness testimony to back up your claim. They will also take depositions or sworn statements, from the lawyers of the defendants and any other parties involved in the case.
If they are able to prove their case, your lawyer will submit an appeal package to the hospital and doctor responsible. The document will detail the circumstances of your child’s injuries as well as the manner in which they were caused due to medical malpractice. The document will also contain documents and records that support your claim. If the doctor declines your offer, then your lawyer will file a lawsuit.
Future care costs
Severe birth injury can cause costly long-term medical care, which affects families financially. For example, a child who has cerebral palsy must receive lifelong therapy that could include medical interventions, such as surgeries as well as home health care aides, medication, therapy sessions or visits to the doctor and prescriptions. These expenses can quickly accumulate and drastically impact the quality of life of the family.
In some cases, a birth injury lawyer will employ an expert to produce what’s known as a «life care plan.» This document estimates future needs based on the victim’s age and medical history. It provides estimated annual cost projections for things like medication or therapies, doctor visits and attendant care, the possibility of lost income, and transportation as well as home renovations.
These damages are often an important portion of a settlement or a jury verdict in a birth injury lawsuit, and they’re intended to improve the victim’s quality of life. Certain states limit damages that are not economic which can apply to birth injury cases.
Many doctors, hospitals and insurance companies refuse to admit their negligence or accept a payment for a birth injury. A majority of lawyers will prefer to settle instead of going to trial. An attorney will create a demand form and mail it to the medical experts involved in the case, along with a detailed explanation of the circumstances surrounding the injuries your child sustained. If the doctor or the hospital refuses to comply with the terms of the agreement your lawyer will file suit.
Economic damages
A birth injury can be expensive to treat and victims can expect to require costly treatment for years or even their entire lives. Economic damages in these instances could include future and past medical expenses, as well as other costs associated with the patient’s care including mobility assistance. They are typically estimated by a specialist expert witness.
Parents are also entitled to compensation for the emotional stress they’ve experienced, knowing that the medical negligence of their child could have been prevented. Certain states have laws which recognize the emotional trauma and offer non-economic damages for victims.
It is crucial for families to understand that although many birth injuries can lead to severe and debilitating ailments, children can often live life-changing lives with the appropriate help. That’s why it’s important that they have the financial support they require to give them the best chance of living a happy and prosperous life.
An experienced lawyer can help families file a birth injury lawsuit against the doctor or hospital accountable for the child’s injury. They’ll conduct a thorough investigation at the case and collect additional evidence to support a strong argument that the medical professional did not adhere to a high standard of care. They’ll then discuss the matter with the defendants to determine whether a settlement is reached. If the settlement is not reached, they’ll prepare to bring a lawsuit.