Frequently Asked Questions

Birth Injuries and Birth Injury Lawsuits

There are many uncertainties for families coping with the diagnosis of cerebral palsy, mental retardation or other serious condition due to birth injury.  Educating yourself and family members on the diagnosis, resources available and options for securing your child's future is critical. To help you get started, here are some answers to basic questions about birth injuries and birth injury lawsuits.

Birth Injuries

• Q: What are birth injuries and what causes them?

Cerebral Palsy

• Q: What is cerebral palsy and what causes it?

• Q: How is cerebral palsy diagnosed?

• Q: What are the risk factors for cerebral palsy?

• Q: What are the signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy?

• Q: Can a delayed C-section cause cerebral palsy?

• Q: My baby was delivered prematurely and suffers from cerebral palsy. Is it medical malpractice if my doctor didn’t try to stop early labor?

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

• Q: What is Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) and what are the treatments?

• Q: Are there long-term effects associated with HIE?

• Q: How is Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) diagnosed?

• Q: My child has HIE. Is it possible that the doctor made an error?

• Q: Is it possible to file a lawsuit for hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) injuries that my baby sustained due to a ruptured uterus during labor?

• Q: Is it considered medical malpractice if a doctor failed to treat placenta previa? My baby suffered HIE as a result.

Forceps & Vacuum Extractor Injuries

• Q: Can I file a birth injury lawsuit if my child was injured due to a vacuum extractor birth?

Birth Injury Lawsuits

• Q: How long does a birth injury case take and what is the process?

• Q: What experts are consulted during a birth injury case?

• Q: How do I choose a good birth injury lawyer?

• Q: How much will it cost me to file a birth injury lawsuit?

• Q: I remember signing a consent form. Does that mean I have no basis for a lawsuit?