No parent wants to learn that their newborn child suffered a severe birth injury that could lead to other complications. Unfortunately, some doctors may fail to provide a mother and her newborn with adequate medical care, which can result in a birth injury. If your child was injured due to the negligence of a medical practitioner, contact an experienced Maryland infant bruising birth injury lawyer.
At Bennett & Heyman, we are dedicated to providing you with the legal representation you need to seek compensation for your child’s injuries. Our firm understands how frightening it can be to learn that your child was injured due to the negligence of a doctor, and we are here for you in your time of need. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your potential claim, contact Bennett & Heyman at (410) 429-7856. You may also contact the firm online.
Common Causes of Infant Bruising Birth Injuries in Maryland
Bruising birth injuries can occur under a variety of circumstances. These injuries can lead to more serious complications and even affect the development of a child. Understanding the cause of these injuries can help a parent if they are seeking compensation against a negligent doctor. The following is a list of common causes of infant bruising injuries.
Negligent Use of Birthing Instruments
If a mother has a difficult labor, a medical practitioner may consider using birthing instruments to help with the delivery of a child. Forceps and vacuum extractors are standard tools that are used to assist with the delivery of a child. Each of these tools is used to latch onto a child’s head or another body part in order to pull them from the womb.
While forceps and vacuum extractors can be valuable tools to assist in the delivery of a child, they can also be dangerous if they are used incorrectly. For example, if a doctor uses excessive force when pulling a child from the birth canal with forceps, the fragile newborn could easily suffer a bruising injury.
Cephalopelvic Disproportion
Cephalopelvic disproportion is a condition where the pelvis of a mother is too small to fit a child through the birth canal safely. Alternatively, this condition may occur because a fetus has grown to a larger than average size. If a doctor fails to diagnose a mother with cephalopelvic disproportion, they could be held liable if a bruising injury occurs because a child remained in the birth canal for too long. An emergency cesarean section should be discussed with a mother if there is a possibility that cephalopelvic disproportion could cause a bruising birth injury.
There are many other common causes of bruising birth injuries that are not discussed above. For example, if medical staff are not careful when handling a newborn, the child could be seriously injured. To learn more about filing a lawsuit against a negligent doctor, you should continue reading and speak with an experienced Maryland medical malpractice lawyer.
When to File a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit for Infant Bruising in Maryland
If your child was seriously injured due to the negligence of a medical practitioner, you should consider filing a medical malpractice lawsuit as soon as possible. When seeking a medical malpractice lawsuit, you should be aware that your lawsuit is subject to the statute of limitations.
The statute of limitations determines the length of time that a person has to file a medical malpractice lawsuit with a court of law. It is important to note that the statute of limitations can vary depending on the circumstances of your case. For example, you may be able to delay the filing deadline for your claim. However, you should not assume this is possible without first speaking with an experienced medical malpractice attorney.
In Maryland, the statute of limitations for a medical malpractice lawsuit is five years from the date the malpractice was committed. Alternatively, if a victim did not discover the malpractice until a later date, the statute of limitations will be three years from the date of discovery.
If a victim fails to file their lawsuit within the timeframe specified by the statute of limitations, they risk the possibility of having the court bar their claim. This may occur if a court approves a defendant’s motion to dismiss the case, which could mean that a plaintiff will be unable to seek compensation for their injuries.
Damages Available for Medical Malpractice Lawsuit
After prevailing in a medical malpractice lawsuit, a plaintiff can be awarded damages for their losses. Compensatory damages can come in the form of economic and noneconomic losses. Economic losses are awarded for financial losses that can be easily determined based on evidence provided by a plaintiff. Noneconomic losses are harder to quantify as they are based on a number of subjective factors. The following is a list of compensatory damages available in a medical malpractice lawsuit:
- Medical bills
- Costs of rehabilitation and medication
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Work with Our Maryland Infant Bruising Birth Injury Lawyers Today
If a negligent physician caused your child to suffer a serious bruising injury, consult with an experienced Maryland bruising birth injury lawyer. The legal team at Bennett & Heyman possess decades of combined legal experience litigating a broad range of birth injury cases, and we are prepared to work with you. To schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal options, contact Bennett & Heyman at (410) 429-7856.
