Have you or your child been injured before, during, or shortly after delivery in Jacksonville, Florida? If so, contact Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers at (904) 356-6071 for a free consultation. Let our Jacksonville birth injury lawyers help you pursue compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and more.
With more than 45 years of combined experience fighting for injury victims, we understand the complex medical and legal details that can make or break a birth injury case. We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for our clients, and we are ready to help your family get the justice you deserve.
How Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Birth Injury in Jacksonville, FL
The birth of a child should be an exciting time for your family, but a birth injury can leave your family struggling and wondering what to do next. You may be facing substantial medical bills, and your child’s health is your top priority. Thankfully, the team at Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers can help handle every detail of your legal claim while you take care of your family.
Let our Jacksonville birth injury attorneys help you by:
- Investigating the specific cause of the injury
- Interviewing hospital staff, doctors, and others who have knowledge of the incident
- Using medical experts as necessary to help strengthen and prove your case
- Putting an accurate value on your claim
- Handling all communications with the hospital and their insurance company
- Negotiating a full and fair settlement for all your damages
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit and asserting your rights in court when necessary
Your time to file a claim after your injury is limited, so do not wait until it is too late to get the help you deserve. Contact our Jacksonville personal injury lawyers today for a free consultation.
How Common Are Birth Injuries?
Birth injuries are not extremely common, but it only has to happen once to be a life-changing experience for you and your family. Recent data shows that birth injuries occur in roughly 29 out of every 1,000 live births in the United States. Even at this low rate, this equates to tens of thousands of birth injuries suffered every year in America.
Overview of Birth Injuries
Birth injuries can happen to the mother or the baby, and they often are the result of medical malpractice. In Florida, medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider fails to uphold the accepted standard of care under the circumstances. When you or your child are hurt due to the provider’s negligence, they can be held legally responsible for your damages.
Some common types of behavior that may be considered medical malpractice include:
- Delayed C-sections
- Failure to monitor fetal stress
- Improper use of delivery tools or other equipment
- Improper management of high-risk pregnancies
The injuries resulting from these scenarios are preventable in many cases. However, medical malpractice claims are notoriously difficult to prove, and you will likely need the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer to get the compensation you are owed.
Common Types of Birth Injuries
Babies may suffer one or more of these common types of birth injuries.
Some of the most common include:
- Broken collarbones
- Oxygen deprivation
- Brain damage or brain bleeds
- Scalp injuries
- Facial nerve paralysis
- Fractured arm or leg bones
- Eye injuries
- Nose injuries
Many of these injuries result in permanent effects that can last forever. Even treatable injuries can still result in significant medical bills and severe emotional distress for your family.
What Types of Damages Are Victims of Birth Injuries Entitled to Recover?
Victims of birth injuries may suffer severe consequences, and the law allows these victims to recover compensation for all their damages. This includes financial, physical, and emotional damages. Compensation for your financial losses is awarded through what are known as economic damages.
Some common examples include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages or future reduced earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Future medical care expenses
- Physical therapy or rehabilitation
Non-economic damages provide compensation for your physical and psychological pain and trauma. Some common examples of those include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish or emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Depression or anxiety
- PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Permanent disfigurement
- Permanent disability
Putting a value on a victim’s non-economic damages can sometimes be challenging, and that is where the knowledge of an experienced personal injury lawyer can help.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Birth Injury in Florida?
The standard deadline for most injury claims in Florida is two years from the date of the injury. However, the deadline rules involving medical malpractice claims can get complex, especially when children are involved. In any case, missing the deadline can completely bar you from recovering any compensation for your injuries.
This is why it is crucial to consult with an experienced attorney as soon after your accident as possible. At Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we can help determine the filing deadline for your claim so that you do not miss your chance to recover compensation.
Contact Our Jacksonville Birth Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you or your child has been the victim of a birth injury in Jacksonville, FL, contact the experienced team at Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers today. We will go to work immediately to investigate every detail of your treatment to determine whether negligence or malpractice occurred. You and your family should not be stuck dealing with the aftermath of the carelessness of a doctor or hospital on your own.
Contact us now for a free consultation with a Jacksonville birth injury attorney who is ready to help.