6 Reasons to Hire a Birth Injury Lawyer
As a new mother whose baby sustained injuries during birth, it's easy to feel alone. However, you're far from it. In just one year, 19,582 infants across the US are lost due to birth injury and other causes.
Whether this tragedy is a loss you suffered or your child was lucky enough to survive, a birth injury can be a traumatic experience for both parents and children. Luckily, financial compensation is available in cases of medical malpractice.
Read on to learn 6 top reasons that you should seek out a birth injury lawyer.
1. Doctors Had Delayed Responses
Doctors have the reasonable responsibility to monitor an infant's responses during the process of childbirth. While some crying is normal because of the cold transition from womb to world, there are signs of distress that medical professionals must watch for.
If an infant is crying more than normal or seems to be in pain, the doctor must assess the situation further. However, the response must be immediate. Doctors must instantly react if the baby is acting like they are suffering.
A delayed response can cause many issues. Delayed breathing, difficulty moving, and suffocation are some of the most common. This could restrict oxygen flow to the brain and cause brain damage.
If you suspect that your doctor did not appropriately respond to your infant's suffering, you likely have a birth injury case. Attorneys can help you find the best course of action in these situations.
2. Cerebral Palsy Is Present
Cerebral palsy is a group of neurological disorders that result from damage to a still-developing brain.
Because of this, birth injury is one of the main causes of cerebral palsy. Umbilical cord injuries, strangulation, and suffocation at birth can cause this disorder. So can a doctor that is too rough with the baby when guiding them out of the birth canal.
There are many signs that your newborn may have cerebral palsy:
- Stiff muscles
- Exaggerated reflexes
- Muscle tone/tension variation
- Tremors and involuntary shaking
- An extreme/unusual preference for one side of the body
If you notice any of these symptoms in your infant, take them to a doctor ASAP. Then begin the process of getting compensation for those medical bills and for your child's disability-related suffering.
3. Signs of Nerve Injuries
In addition to cerebral palsy, nerve injuries are a common result of medical malpractice. Usually, these are injuries to the brachial plexus. This set of nerves takes brain signals and transmits them to the arms and hands to make them move.
Some signs of this injury include:
- Muscle weakness in an arm/hand
- Difficulty grasping things
- Paralysis in an arm/hand
- Decreased movement in the upper body
- Low sensation/reactivity when touched on an arm/hand
A brachial plexus injury usually happens when the doctor applies excessive force during birth. They are most common during difficult or slow-moving vaginal births. This may tear, stretch, or compress the nerves.
4. Vacuum Extractors Caused Problems
Vacuum extractors are a tool that delivery teams sometimes use to aid swift movement through the vaginal canal. This is not the standard. It is often called "assisted delivery."
Because it is not the standard, it needs to be done by a specialized doctor. If someone who lacks sufficient knowledge attempts to use the extractor, they will likely use it incorrectly.
This form of malpractice most commonly leads to head injuries. Brain hemorrhaging that leads to stroke can occur. There may also be brain damage due to excessive force, nerve problems, concussions, and more.
In some cases, this may lead to permanent disability.
If your child is injured after a vacuum extractor was used during birth, that extractor is a likely reason. These situations are often medical malpractice.
An attorney can help you get many types of compensation. Money to take care of a child's disability, funds for 24-hour care, payments for loss of quality of life, medical bills, treatment plans, and more are available.
5. Delayed C-Sections
Assisted delivery does not always use a vacuum to extract the baby from the birth canal. It commonly also refers to cesarian sections (C-sections).
Doctors have the professional responsibility of determining when a C-section is necessary. They need to monitor the infant during labor and ensure that there is no distress. If there are problems like breech births or dangerous umbilical cord placement, an immediate C-section is essential.
If this C-section is delayed, the infant may lose access to oxygen. This can lead to brain injury or to death. A delayed C-section that results in injury is a strong case for medical malpractice.
6. Sudden Infant Death Post-Birth
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is an abnormal tragedy that strikes 4,000 American families each year. This takes place when an otherwise-healthy infant dies suddenly while asleep. It usually impacts children under 1 year old.
Some researchers believe that birth-related trauma may be a cause of SIDS. This theory is not yet proven, but experts at Seattle Children’s Hospital are continuing to research it.
While further study is needed, you should still consult with a lawyer after experiencing this unspeakable tragedy. There may be something that you did not recognize as a birth injury that lead to fatality.
Hire a Birth Injury Lawyer Today
Now that you know some specific reasons why you might hire a birth injury lawyer to get justice, it's time to talk with one and begin getting legal help. Find Injury Law is committed to using our 30 years of experience to get you birth injury compensation.
We help pair you with the most capable medical malpractice and birth injury lawyers in your area. Contact us to learn more about how we can assist you with your specific case.
Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer: Top Myths About Car Accident Claims
Exactly 35,766 fatal car accidents occurred in 2020 in the United States alone. Car accidents happen all the time and some may be mild while others might be fatal. Whatever the case, it is important to have a motor vehicle accident lawyer by your side.
But why? Many people tend to have myths concerning car accident claims and car accidents in general. These myths and false beliefs can often get in the way of people getting the claims they require.
Keep reading and learn more about the top myths surrounding car accident claims and what the truth behind them might be.
It's Better to Rely on Insurance Companies Than a Lawyer
Many people think that letting their insurance companies take care of a motor vehicle accident will solve all their problems. As a result, they have no reason to hire a motor vehicle accident attorney. However, this is not true at all.
While it is true that your insurance company will be able to handle a certain amount of responsibility for a motor vehicle accident, that company won't be able to do everything. At a certain point, you will see that your insurance company won't be able to help you, and then you'll be on your own unless you hire the best motor vehicle accident attorney you can find.
The main thing that an insurance company can do for you is to provide payment when you need it. This financial aspect of a car accident is often what most people focus on after experiencing a situation like this. However, money is not the only thing that should concern you after a car accident.
The Details
If you happen to be at fault for the car accident in question, you could end up in a lot of trouble if you don't have a good lawyer on your side. Many people think that they can represent themselves in court, but this is often not a good idea. This is because you won't have all the necessary legal knowledge to support yourself in court.
Even if you are not at fault for the accident, going without a lawyer is still a bad idea. When filing for a claim, you'll want to have a lawyer help you with all the necessary documents and paperwork. More than that, a lawyer can help you get the right financial compensation for the claim.
Without a lawyer, you might end up with far less money than you deserve.
Hiring a Lawyer Isn't Worth It Because It Costs Too Much
This is a very common myth that many people tend to believe in, but it certainly is far from the truth. If your car has been severely damaged or if you or someone else has been injured due to a car accident, it will be a bad idea to go without a lawyer. While it is true that hiring a lawyer can cost you some money, you will most likely make that money back through the claim or settlement you get after everything is settled.
For example, if your car got totaled in a car accident, your insurance company as well as your lawyer will be able to help get the whole thing sorted out and make sure that you get the money you need to fix the car. If someone has been injured in the accident (or if you yourself have been injured) then you should be able to get quite a lot of money as a result.
What You Need to Know
After all, you need a certain amount of money to treat your injuries and recover from your wounds. If you have suffered a type of permanent injury that has altered your way of life such as an amputation or brain injury, then the money you will receive will be a massive amount. But again, you will need a good lawyer on your side to make sure that you get the appropriate amount of money.
Otherwise, you might only get a fraction of what you ought to get. Besides that, the more money the lawyer helps you get from a claim, the easier it will be to pay the lawyer for his or her services. So, overall, the price of hiring a lawyer isn't very significant, especially in larger cases.
It Doesn't Matter What Lawyer You Choose
Many people believe that all lawyers are more or less the same, so it doesn't really matter which one you choose. But again, this is yet another myth that has no truth behind it. Choosing a lawyer at random is a huge mistake because you might end up choosing a lawyer that doesn't have much experience or even good credentials or education.
A bad lawyer is almost as bad as not having a lawyer at all. Instead, you will want to do your research when choosing a lawyer so that you'll end up with a good one. The better your lawyer is, the smoother the proceedings will go and the more money you will likely end up with when the process is all over and done with.
Hiring a Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer
Hiring a motor vehicle accident lawyer is very important, no matter what myths you may have heard concerning these lawyers. Overall, this kind of lawyer can help make sure you are represented properly in the eyes of the law and also make sure that you get proper financial compensation.
To learn more about legal representation, contact us here.
8 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Brooklyn Injury Lawyer
There are currently more than 1.3 million lawyers in the United States alone. That may sound like a lot, but not all of those lawyers will be good choices for your unique legal needs. If you're looking for a Brooklyn injury lawyer, you should avoid hiring the first lawyer you come across.
Instead, you should carefully consider a few important factors so that you end up with the best choice. But where should you start? Keep reading and learn more about the questions you should ask before you hire a New York injury attorney.
1. What Is the Lawyer’s Experience?
The experience of a lawyer is one of the most important factors you should consider. The last thing you want is to choose an injury lawyer in Brooklyn who has little to no experience dealing with a personal injury case. If you choose such a lawyer, you will find that they won't be very effective at helping you.
On the other hand, if you choose a lawyer that has many years of experience in this field of practice, you will be in good hands. This is because a more experienced lawyer will naturally know more about how to handle certain situations and help the situation turn in your favor.
2. Is There a Team of Lawyers?
While one lawyer alone can be quite helpful, a team of lawyers can be even more beneficial. This is especially true for large and complicated personal injury cases. A team of lawyers acts as extra support in a particularly complicated case.
If a lawyer does not have a team available, this does not necessarily mean that the lawyer is a bad choice. On the contrary, a lawyer without a team may still be very beneficial to you. It will mainly depend on your unique legal situation as to whether you should choose one lawyer or a lawyer with a team.
3. How Does the Lawyer Charge?
Different lawyers may charge in different ways. It is important to understand your lawyer's method of charging you so you aren't surprised or confused later on. Some lawyers prefer to charge by the hour.
As you can imagine, this can become quite expensive if you require a lot of the lawyer's time. On the other hand, some lawyers charge by taking a percentage of the settlement. Depending on the percentage that the lawyer takes, this may be quite a lot of money or not much at all.
So, keep this in mind when considering how a lawyer charges you for legal services.
4. What Is the Lawyer’s Track Record?
When hiring a Brooklyn personal injury attorney, you will want to be aware of the lawyer's track record. A lawyer's track record has to do with how many cases the lawyer has won (or lost). If you find that the lawyer you're talking to has lost a large number of cases, this is a sign that the lawyer may not be very effective.
On the other hand, if a lawyer has won most, if not all, of his cases, this is a very good sign that the lawyer knows exactly what they're doing. This, of course, can benefit you greatly if you decide to choose that lawyer to represent you in your personal injury case.
5. What About Specific Personal Injury Experience?
General experience, as mentioned before, is important for a lawyer to have. However, specific experience cornering cases that are similar to yours are also important. This is because the lawyer will have experienced cases like yours before and will have a better idea of how to approach and work through your case.
This is very important because every case is unique. The last thing you want is a lawyer who hardly knows what they're doing when representing you because of the unique nature of your case.
6. What About Severe Injuries?
Some personal injury lawyers only deal with minor injuries. If you are dealing with a serious or even catastrophic injury such as a brain injury, lost limb, or other injuries, you will likely need to seek out a specific lawyer. Fortunately, there are quite a few lawyers out there that specialize in severe injuries.
It is important to choose the right kind of lawyer in this case. You don't want to choose a lawyer that hardly knows about severe injuries if that's what you're dealing with.
7. How Often Do Cases Go to Trial?
Usually, personal injury cases don't go to trial. However, if a lawyer typically has cases that go to trial more frequently than usual, you should be aware of this.
That way, you can know more about what you should expect if your case does happen to go to trial. This will complicate matters, but a good lawyer should be able to handle it.
8. How Long Does It Take To Return a Call?
If you call your lawyer with important information, you will want to get a return call as soon as possible.
A good lawyer will answer your call and your questions right away rather than leave you waiting by the phone for hours or even days.
Hiring a Brooklyn Injury Lawyer
Hiring a Brooklyn injury lawyer doesn't have to be complicated, but there are certain things you should consider. In particular, you should ask a lawyer plenty of questions relating to the lawyer's experience, track record, charging method, and so on. As long as you ask these important questions, you should know all the most pertinent information about that lawyer and it should be easy for you to pick the right one for you.
To learn more about finding the right lawyer, contact us here.
7 Auto Accident Claim Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Did you know that around 13 car accidents happen every minute, according to statistics?
If you've been in a car accident, it's critical that you follow the claims process correctly. Car accidents can be highly stressful and traumatic experiences. When you're caught up in a car accident, it's easy to make missteps in your insurance claim.
Unfortunately, even small auto accident claim mistakes could be disastrous. Best case scenario, you might receive a lower payout than you deserve. In the worst-case scenario, you might jeopardize your entire claim.
Get clued up and keep reading to find out how to easily sidestep mistakes in the auto claim filing process.
1. Not Filing a Police Report
One of the first and biggest mistakes you can make is not filing a police report. Vehicle accident police reports are one of the most important auto accident claim documents. If you don't file a police report, this will rob you of a key piece of evidence.
If you've been in an accident, the first thing to do is call the authorities. They will then either take your report on the spot or take you back to the station.
Having the authorities present makes sure that important details of the crash are taken down meticulously. It can also ensure that everyone stays as calm as possible.
If someone needs emergency attention, any police units on the scene will quickly be able to call for an ambulance.
2. Not Filing Your Claim Promptly
One of the most common auto accident claim mistakes people make is not filing their claims promptly. If you're emotionally and mentally rattled after an accident, or have sustained injuries, filing an insurance claim might be the last thing on your mind.
But, don't let the initial stress of the situation trigger you to procrastinate about filing your claim. The longer you put off filing an insurance claim, the harder it can be to get a fair payout.
As time passes, it can be difficult to gather additional evidence. What's more, each state has a specific statute of limitations around filing deadlines.
Here in New York, the statute of limitations allows claimants 2 years to file a claim if they have sustained an auto accident injury. If the accident only resulted in damage to property, claimants have 3 years to file a claim.
Besides meeting the insurance claim filing deadline, you also need to make sure you file your accident report within 10 days of the accident. No-fault claims need to be filed within 30 days.
3. Not Gathering Evidence
Another very easy mistake to make after an auto accident is not gathering enough evidence. If you want to minimize liability and increase your chances of fair compensation, you have to gather and supply as much evidence as possible.
If you have suffered an auto accident injury, your body of evidence will need to include medical reports and doctors' diagnoses. If you hire a good New York accident lawyer, they will also be able to furnish you with expert witnesses should your case go to court.
Medical reports are critical evidence pieces in an auto accident injury case. If you weren't in any condition to gather evidence at the scene of the accident, these might be the only pieces of auto accident injury evidence you can collate.
However, if you are uninjured at the scene of the accident, take the time to photograph the position of the vehicles and all damage to your car. You can also ask any eyewitnesses for their contact details in case you need them to give an account of the accident.
4. Not Getting Your Injuries Seen To
If you've been injured in a car accident, getting your injuries seen to should be your number one priority. Even if you aren't hurt, it's still a good idea to go for a checkup with your doctor. They will be able to spot the signs of concussion or impacts to the spine, both common car accident-related injuries.
If left untreated, concussion can cause a host of long-term problems, including:
- Headaches
- Memory problems
- Brain fog
- Dizzyness
- Mood swings
Getting medical attention is not just important for your physical healing. It can also be a critical part of proving your auto accident injury claim.
Your doctor's diagnosis can be a pivotal piece of evidence.
5. Apologizing to the Other Driver
Depending on what type of person you are, you might feel compelled to apologize to the other driver for the accident, even if it's not clear that you're at fault.
No matter how much compassion you feel for the other party, do not apologize. Apologizing can be a natural reaction and an expression of empathy, but in the case of auto accidents, it can be used against you as an admittance of guilt.
6. Rushing to Accept an Insurance Payout Offer
One of the easiest auto accident claim mistakes to make is accepting the first payout an insurance company offers. Insurance companies are skilled at making consumers feel like insurers make the laws, and that you have to take whatever they offer.
This is not true. If an insurance company is lowballing you, you're entitled to negotiate for a better payout. If the insurance company still doesn't come to the table, you're fully within your rights to take the matter to court.
7. DIYing Negotiations
Another of the biggest auto accident claim mistakes you can make is taking the DIY route in negotiations. As we just said, consumers are entitled to negotiate with their insurance providers over unfair compensation. However, the odds aren't stacked in your favor if you do it alone.
Insurance companies have entire legal teams at their disposal. They also know that most consumers need compensation as soon as possible. If you negotiate on your own, a lot of insurance companies won't budge.
However, if you engage a savvy auto accident lawyer, this will make the insurer stand up and take notice. It signals that you mean business, and the insurer will know they can no longer get away will lowball tactics.
Avoid These Auto Accident Claim Mistakes and Get the Legal Help You Need
Navigating a car accident claim process can be stressful and frustrating. Fortunately, now that you know about these 7 auto accident claim mistakes, you'll have a far better chance of success.
Do you need a New York car accident lawyer? We specialize in auto accidents and personal injury. As a leading Brooklyn car accident lawyer team, we have the knowledge and expertise to fight on your behalf.
Get the legal help you need by hiring the best Brooklyn injury lawyer. Contact us today to discuss your case.