Was Your Baby Injured at Birth? 4 Steps You Need to Take Right Away

If your baby suffered injuries at birth, they're not alone. Roughly 28,000 babies suffer birth injuries each year. Two of those birth injuries include bone fractures and perinatal asphyxia. Some birth injuries heal over time. Others leave lasting medical problems. If you're dealing with a birth injury right now, you may have a lot of questions. Many parents don't know what to do after their baby suffers a birth injury. If your baby is recovering from birth injuries, read the information provided below. This information will help you take the next steps.

Document Your Baby's Injuries

If your baby sustained injuries during their birth, document those injuries. Write down everything you remember about the birth. This should include information about labor and delivery. If incidences stand out in your mind, write down those details. If there were emergency situations during labor and delivery, document that as well. Finally, write down what you know about your baby's injuries. This should include any details your doctor gave you. It's also important to write down anything you hear the doctors and nurses discussing. This information can be vital. Your medical team may discuss details that they won't share with you. This is especially true when medical malpractice occurs. 

Avoid Statements to Hospital Staff

After a birth injury, the hospital staff may want to talk to you. They'll want to discuss the events that lead up to the injuries. You may think they're there to help you. That may not be the case. The hospital staff may try to get information to help them in a medical malpractice case. Protect your baby's rights. Don't make any statements to hospital staff. This includes your doctor and the nurses who provide care during your hospital stay. You should also avoid talking to hospital administrators and their legal representatives.  

Don't Assume the Doctor Was Right

If your baby suffered injuries at birth, you may assume that the doctor didn't make any mistakes. But, that might not be the case. Your doctor may have made mistakes that caused your baby's injuries. They may have even been negligent in their care. Before you make a decision about the care you and your baby received, get the answers you need. 

Speak to a Birth Injury Attorney

Finally, if your baby sustained injuries at birth, speak to birth injury attorneys, such as Phillips and Paolicelli LLP. Your baby may have lasting medical problems that will need permanent care. An attorney can help you get the compensation your baby deserves for their birth injuries.