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Columbia, MO Birth Injury Lawyer

Birth injuries during the labor and delivery process occur all too often. Both mother and baby can be severely injured due to a doctor or another health care professional’s negligence. Birth injuries can cause disabilities or even permanent impairments for the child. In worst case scenarios, they can even claim the life of the child or the mother in the process.

At A.W. Smith Law Firm, P.C., we are dedicated to helping individuals who have sustained an injury due to medical malpractice. Our legal medical malpractice team has successfully helped a client obtain a $4.75 million settlement due to a birth injury.

A Columbia, MO birth injury lawyer could examine your individual situation and determine whether there are grounds to pursue a medical malpractice case. We are available to help seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

Common Types of Birth Injuries

A birth injury is a form of medical malpractice regardless of how the accident occurred. Unfortunately, birth trauma can affect a child due to complications occurring during labor and delivery. Common birth complications include Cephalohematoma, Erb’s Palsy, Cerebral Palsy, and other severe brain injuries.

A birth injury could occur if the medical professional did the following:

  • Fail to respond appropriately to breathing or birth complications
  • Fail to respond to fetal distress
  • Misuse the vacuum extractor or forceps
  • Fails to respond to umbilical cord entrapment
  • Improper monitoring
  • Delayed delivery
  • Prolonged labor or childbirth
  • Failure to perform a C-section

Hospitals often have extensive legal teams of experienced lawyers ready to defend against any medical malpractice claims. Therefore, it is best to seek help from a Columbia birth injury lawyer as soon as possible.

Time Limits to Bring a Legal Claim

Each state designates a statute of limitations, or deadline to file a lawsuit in court. In The State of Missouri, injured claimants have no longer than two years after the date of the injury to begin a medical malpractice lawsuit according to Missouri Revised Statutes section 516.105.

There are some limited exceptions to the rule. If the parents could not have possibly discovered the life-changing side effects or problems associated with a birth injury, the victims have two years from the date that they could have reasonably discovered the problem or did discover the problem. Our experienced attorneys at A.W. Smith Law Firm could review the claim to determine the exact deadline to file a lawsuit in court.

Seek Help from a Columbia Birth Injury Attorney Today

When an injury occurs due to the negligent actions of a medical professional, the injured claimant may be eligible to seek compensation. Birth injuries could occur in a myriad of ways. If you are unsure of how the injuries occurred, it is best to seek help from a knowledgeable Columbia birth injury lawyer. They could explain the potential legal impacts of the actions or omissions carried out by medical professionals. They will also help you understand the steps to recovering compensation.

No family should have to be alone in bringing forward their civil claim. Consulting with a Columbia birth injury lawyer could be the first step in the road to recovery from moving on from your unfortunate experience. Let our skilled legal team help you seek justice for your injuries. Call The A.W. Smith Law Firm today to schedule a consultation.