Experienced Portland Oregon Birth Injury Lawyers
Portland Birth Injury Attorneys
Find out why we have some of the best Portland birth injury attorneys
Has Your Child Suffered a Birth Injury in Portland, Oregon?
You’re not alone. The experienced birth injury lawyers at Goldberg & Loren are here to help. We understand the emotional, physical, and financial toll that a birth injury can take on both you and your child. That’s why we’re dedicated to fighting for your rights and holding those responsible accountable for their actions.
You deserve justice for your child’s birth injury, and we want to help you achieve that. Our team of skilled attorneys has a proven track record of success in handling birth injury cases in Portland and throughout Oregon, and we’re ready to put our knowledge and experience to work for you.
Don’t wait any longer. Contact Goldberg & Loren today to schedule a consultation with one of our birth injury lawyers. We’ll help you understand your legal options and guide you through the process of seeking the compensation and justice you and your child deserve.
What is a Birth Injury?
A birth injury is any injury that occurs during the labor and delivery process or shortly after birth. These injuries can range from mild to severe birth defects and can have long-term effects on a child’s health and development.
Birth injuries can be caused by a variety of factors, including medical mistakes, medical negligence, and unforeseen complications during the delivery process.
Birth injuries can be devastating for families, both emotionally and financially. Medical bills can quickly pile up, and caring for a child with a birth injury can require ongoing medical treatment and therapy.
The number of children born with birth injuries in the United States is staggering: about 7 of every 1,000 babies, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [1]
Common Types of Birth Injuries
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a serious condition that affects thousands of children each year. It is caused by damage to the brain during infancy or early childhood, typically as a result of oxygen deprivation during the delivery process. This damage can result in a range of symptoms, including muscle spasms, difficulty walking, poor coordination, and even cognitive impairment.
For families affected by cerebral palsy, the condition can be extremely challenging. Children with CP often require ongoing medical care, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and assistive devices like wheelchairs or braces. This can be both emotionally and financially taxing for families, many of whom struggle to provide the care and support their children need.
With the help of our experienced personal injury lawyer in Portland, families can pursue legal action against the healthcare provider or facility responsible for their child’s injury. This can help to cover the costs of medical care, as well as provide compensation for pain and suffering.
Brachial Plexus Injury
A brachial plexus injury is a type of birth injury that can occur when the nerves in a baby’s shoulder and arm are damaged during the delivery process. These nerves, known as the brachial plexus, control movement and sensation in the arm and hand. When they are injured, a child may experience weakness, numbness, or even paralysis in the affected arm.
There are a number of factors that can contribute to brachial plexus injury during childbirth. One of the most common causes is shoulder dystocia, a complication that occurs when the baby’s shoulder becomes lodged behind the mother’s pubic bone during delivery. This can put excessive pressure on the brachial plexus nerves and cause them to stretch or tear.
Other factors that can increase the risk of brachial plexus injury include a large baby, prolonged labor, the use of forceps or vacuum extractors during delivery, and a breech presentation.
The symptoms of brachial plexus injury can vary depending on the severity of the injury. Mild cases may only cause temporary weakness or numbness in the affected arm, while more severe cases can result in permanent paralysis. Treatment for brachial plexus injury will depend on the extent of the damage and may include physical therapy, surgery, or a combination of both.
Oxygen Deprivation & Brain Damage
Oxygen deprivation during childbirth is a significant factor that can lead to permanent brain damage in newborns. This can occur due to a variety of reasons, such as problems with the umbilical cord, placental abruption, or failure to monitor the baby’s oxygen levels during delivery. When the brain does not receive enough oxygen for an extended period, it can result in irreversible damage.
The effects of oxygen deprivation can range from mild to severe and can include symptoms such as seizures, poor muscle tone, and delayed development. More severe cases can result in cerebral palsy.
Medical professionals have a duty to ensure that the baby’s oxygen levels are continually monitored during delivery. If any abnormalities or concerns arise, prompt action must be taken to prevent brain damage. In some cases, a delivery may need to be expedited or an emergency cesarean section may be required.
Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries sustained during birth can have a devastating impact on both the infant and the family. These injuries can result in varying degrees of paralysis, bowel and bladder dysfunction, and other long-term complications that require ongoing medical care and treatment. Many spinal cord injuries that occur during birth are preventable, and if proper medical care had been provided, these injuries could have been avoided.
When a baby is born, medical professionals need to take all necessary precautions to prevent spinal cord injuries. This may include using forceps or a vacuum to assist the baby’s passage through the birth canal, or performing a cesarean section if vaginal birth is too risky. Any deviations from proper medical protocol can potentially result in serious and life-altering spinal cord injuries.
Determining Liability for a Birth Injury Claim
If you believe that your child’s birth injury was caused by the negligence of a healthcare provider, it may be possible to pursue a birth injury claim. Determining liability in these cases can be complicated; working with our experienced birth injury attorneys at Goldberg & Loren will put your mind at ease.
We will investigate the circumstances surrounding the delivery. This may involve reviewing medical records, interviewing witnesses, and obtaining expert opinions from medical professionals. Our attorneys will determine if the healthcare provider acted within the accepted standard of care and if their actions or inaction led to your child’s birth-related injury.
If it is determined that the healthcare provider was negligent, there are several parties that may be held liable for the preventable injury. This may include the doctor, nurse, hospital, or other medical provider involved in the delivery. In some cases, multiple parties may share liability for the injury.
It is also important to consider the types of damages that may be pursued in a birth injury claim. These may include medical expenses, ongoing care and treatment costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In cases where the injury is severe, the damages may be significantly higher.
Establishing Breach of Duty
To establish negligence, the birth injury attorney will need to prove that the healthcare provider had a duty to provide a certain level of care to the mother and child. This duty is typically established by the healthcare provider’s professional standards, guidelines, and protocols.
Once the duty has been established, the attorney at Goldberg & Loren will need to show that the healthcare provider breached that duty by failing to provide the standard of care required. This breach may include errors or mistakes in the delivery process, failure to diagnose or treat a medical condition, or failure to recognize and respond to fetal distress.
To establish a breach of duty, the attorney may need to call upon medical experts to testify and provide their professional opinions. These experts can evaluate the medical records, including fetal monitoring strips, and provide insight into what the healthcare provider should have done differently.
Establishing negligence and breach of duty requires an in-depth understanding of medical procedures, standards of care, and the legal system. Our personal injury attorneys at Goldberg & Loren can navigate the complexities of your birth injury case for you.
Benefits of Hiring Goldberg & Loren in Portland, OR
There are several benefits to hiring Goldberg & Loren as your birth injury lawyer in Portland, Oregon. Here are some of the key advantages:
- Experience and expertise: Goldberg & Loren has a strong track record of successfully representing families in birth injury cases in Portland and throughout Oregon. Our team of attorneys has extensive experience and expertise in this complex area of law and we will work tirelessly to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
- Personalized attention: We at Goldberg & Loren pride ourselves on providing personalized attention to each of our clients. We recognize the importance of understanding the unique circumstances of your case and will work closely with you to develop a customized legal strategy that is tailored to your specific needs and goals.
- Compassionate advocacy: Our legal team at Goldberg & Loren understands the emotional toll that a birth injury can take on a family. That's why we are committed to providing compassionate and supportive advocacy throughout the legal process. We will be there to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and provide you with the guidance and resources you need to move forward.
- No upfront fees: Goldberg & Loren operates on a contingency fee basis, which means we don't charge any upfront fees or costs. We only get paid if and when they secure a settlement or jury verdict on your behalf, which means that you can focus on your child's health without having to worry about paying legal bills.
- Access to medical experts: Goldberg & Loren has access to a network of top medical experts who can provide testimony and support in your case. This expertise is critical in birth injury cases, where understanding the medical evidence and demonstrating causation are often key factors in securing a favorable outcome.
You can trust our birth injury attorneys to provide you with the skilled and compassionate legal representation you deserve.
Don’t delay in seeking legal representation for your birth injury case. Contact Goldberg & Loren today to schedule your free consultation and take the first step toward securing justice.
Source:
[1] Mackie, J. (2023, January 26). Birth Injury Lawsuit Guide 2023. Forbes Advisor. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/legal/personal-injury/birth-injury-lawsuit/
Goldberg & Loren
6500 S Macadam Ave #300,
Portland, OR 97239
(971) 339-8080
If your child has suffered a birth injury you maybe entitled to compensation for your injuries. Contact us now to see if you have case.
We Represent Those Who've Suffered Birth Injuries in the Following Cities and Communities Near Portland, Oregon.
- Beaverton, OR
- Hillsboro, OR
- Vancouver, WA
- Clackamas County, OR
- Clark County, WA
- Columbia County, OR
- Multnomah County, OR
- Skamania County, WA
- Washington County, OR
- Skamania County, WA
- Yamhill County, OR
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