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Birth Injury Settlement
A settlement from a birth injury may provide long-term care that will allow your child to lead an easier life. The treatments include medications, home modifications and equipment like wheelchairs.
Many families settle their cases since medical malpractice lawsuits are not common. However, the amount of a settlement may depend on a variety of aspects.
Damages
A birth injury can affect all aspects of a child's life including their quality of living. For instance, some people need medication to manage symptoms and others require modifications to their homes or medical equipment like wheelchairs. In addition, parents may have to leave their jobs to care for their children, leading to losing income. A lawyer will assess the estimated lifetime treatment costs and request enough compensation to cover these expenses.
The severity and duration of the injury may determine the value of a settlement. A person with cerebral palsy will likely have an increased medical bill throughout their life than those suffering from Erb's Palsy or Shoulder Dystocia. Some states limit the amount of noneconomic damages for pain, suffering and other emotional distress, which could reduce the value of a settlement.
Both sides will collect evidence from witnesses and prepare evidence after a lawsuit is filed. Both sides will eventually meet to discuss possible solutions through settlement negotiations. If negotiations are unsuccessful then the case can go to trial, where the jury and judge will hear arguments and issue the verdict. Trials are generally more expensive and long-lasting than settlements. It is best to settle your case as soon as you can.
Expert Witnesses
Expert witnesses can be an invaluable asset in supporting a claim for damages. They can also play a crucial role in proving causation, which is an essential element of any medical malpractice claim. Without expert testimony, it could be difficult for jurors to determine if the injuries suffered by your child were the result of the defendant doctor's departure from the accepted standards of professional practice.
birth injury law firm boston will have to establish a link between negligence and the injuries of your child in order to prove the causation. This can be accomplished through different methods such as medical documents and expert witness testimony. Your lawyer can help you locate the best expert witness to assist your case.
Your legal team will determine the defendants involved in your child's birth injury case. They may include obstetricians, maternal-fetal medicine experts, nurses during birth and other healthcare providers. They'll need to establish the proper standards of care, which is generally determined by the current medical knowledge. This will require a thorough review and examination of your child's medical records which could be quite complex.
Your attorney will also need to calculate your child's future needs for care. This can be a bit complicated because it involves estimating the costs for equipment and therapies such as in-home caregivers, procedures and surgeries and many more. Your lawyer will work closely with expert witnesses to precisely estimate future expenses.
Statute of limitations
A birth injury case requires careful research and the involvement of medical experts. It is crucial to choose an attorney who has a thorough understanding of the subject and is able to construct an effective case.
The first step is to prove that the defendant acted in breach of his duty of care. This includes reviewing medical records and deposing the doctors involved. Attorneys will also consult medical experts to provide an opinion on whether or not the doctors were acting appropriately in the circumstances.
Medical negligence is defined as a failure to perform the standards of care and proficiency. This standard applies to doctors and other healthcare professionals, but it's particularly specific for specialists like Obstetricians who have extensive training and specialized knowledge. A legal claim must also establish the causality. This means that the medical error directly caused the injury to the child.
New York law gives parents two years to file a malpractice suit on behalf of their child who has been injured. Minors are not able to sue themselves, according to CPLR Sec. 1207.1. They must have a medical file for them by an adult or guardian. Medical malpractice claims are also subject to statutory limitations on damages, including non-economic damages. This limit is typically set by the court and is typically dependent on the number of similar cases in the state.
Getting Started
Receiving the proper recognition and compensation for a child's injuries due to medical malpractice or negligence at birth requires the assistance of an experienced lawyer. A legal team that is competent can analyze the numerous aspects that impact a birth injuries settlement and how to argue them in court to ensure that you get the maximum financial award.
The process begins with a free consultation with your lawyer to establish an attorney-client relationship. After that the lawyer will then investigate the case, including reviewing medical records and bringing expert witnesses to determine the accepted standard of care for the particular procedure.
Your lawyer will also meet with insurers of the defendants and press them to settle for reasonable damages. If that fails, your lawyer will bring a lawsuit against the medical providers and take the case to trial before a jury and a judge.
When a verdict is reached, your lawyer will draft the documents which will be used to calculate the amount of damages you and your child are entitled to. This includes the anticipated costs of any future medical treatment as well as the loss of income and other economic damages. The lawyer can also estimate the lifetime costs for care of your child's injuries. This is referred to as a life-care plan. This is usually a significant portion of the settlement.