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New Jersey Birth Injury Lawyers

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    The birth of a child should be a life-changing event. However, when tragedy strikes, the anticipated changes do not occur. The sense of wonder and joy is overshadowed with hopelessness when a newborn suffers an injury. Unfortunately, many birth injuries were preventable and resulted from physical errors or poor judgment on the part of the medical staff or healthcare facility. If your child was harmed during labor or delivery, you have the right to hold the negligent party accountable.

    At the Reiff Law Firm, our attorneys and staff understand the emotional and financial struggles associated with preventable birth injuries. While no amount of money will stop these hardships, monetary compensation could provide the resources to move forward and provide for the welfare of your child and your family. Our New Jersey birth injury lawyers are committed to providing grieving families the compassionate and aggressive representation they need. Medical malpractice cases are complicated and an experienced attorney is necessary. Call our office at (215) 709-6940 to speak with one of our knowledgeable lawyers. Our initial consultations are free.

    Personal Injury Lawyers

    Common Birth Injuries in New Jersey

    Throughout the United States, thousands of preventable birth injuries occur every year. New Jersey is not immune from these traumatic events. Some of the common preventable birth injury cases our firm handles are listed below.

    Erb’s Palsy

    When a child’s brachial plexus, or the bundle of nerves in the shoulder, are damaged, Erb’s palsy could occur. Depending on the severity of the nerve damage, Erb’s palsy could be a temporary or permanent condition. A common cause of damage to the brachial plexus is excessive force or pulling during a difficult delivery.

    Oxygen Deprivation

    If an infant experiences oxygen deprivation during delivery, it could result in lifelong impairments, including brain damage and cerebral palsy. Possible causes of oxygen deprivation include failing to address an umbilical cord problem, medication errors, or a rupture of the placenta. When an infant’s oxygen is restricted, immediate medical attention is required. Physicians should be aware of the child’s condition during birth and attentive to any symptoms of oxygen deprivation. When a treating doctor misses signs of a distressed birth, the consequences could be catastrophic.

    Head Trauma and Brain Injuries

    Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for an infant to suffer physical trauma to its head or brain during birth. When surgical instruments, such as forceps or a vacuum extractor, are used to assist a difficult delivery, they could subject the child’s head to excessive force and pressure. Head injuries also occur without surgical instruments, especially if the mother is having a breech delivery. Sometimes an injury will only result in a slight brain bleed that goes unnoticed, resulting in more severe complications.

    Broken Bones

    Another common type of injury infants suffer during delivery are fractured bones. During a difficult delivery, a physician might be forced to act quickly and roughly handles the child. Fortunately, unlike other birth injuries, broken bones rarely result in long-lasting conditions or disabilities.

    Liability for Birth Injuries in New Jersey

    Who is liable for a birth injury? Can you file a lawsuit against your physician of the hospital where the birth occurred? Birth injuries give rise to medical malpractice cases. In New Jersey, determining liability for a birth injury is often complicated. In some situations, the delivering physician makes an inexcusable mistake, while in other cases, a pre-natal care error causes your child’s injury. Depending on the injury and circumstances surrounding your case, multiple parties could be held accountable, including doctors, nurses, technicians, and the hospital.

    Holding Your Doctor Liable for a New Jersey Birth Injury

    When a birth injury occurs, all eyes usually turn to the delivering physician. Doctors are required to make immediate and possibly life-altering decisions during a difficult birth. A decision that does not result in a positive outcome is not necessarily medical malpractice. However, doctors could be held liable for birth injuries under certain circumstances.

    If a mistake leads to a birth injury or death, then the physician could be held liable. The error must deviate from any decision a similarly trained and reasonable doctor would have made under the same circumstances. For example, allowing a long vaginal delivery to continue when the infant shows clear signs of distress, such as an abnormally slow heartbeat. The chance of liability also increases when a doctor fails to follow standard protocol, such as washing their hands between deliveries.

    Holding Nurses and Other Medical Professionals Responsible for Birth Injuries in New Jersey

    While the treating physician is in charge of the delivery, other medical team members could make inexcusable mistakes. For example, an anesthesiologist could make an error that endangers both the mother and infant. A nurse could fail to monitor a mother or child during post-natal care or administer the wrong dosage or incorrect medication. These errors could be solely on the nurse’s part or a communication breakdown caused by the treating physician. More than one party might be responsible for a birth injury.

    Holding the Hospital Liable for a New Jersey Birth Injury

    A hospital could be held liable if the doctor is an employee of the hospital. However, in most cases, a physician is an independent contractor. However, there are other ways a hospital could be held responsible for a birth injury.

    While the hospital might not employ the doctor, the facility employs nurses, technicians, and attendants. If these medical professionals are not sufficiently trained or vetted, the hospital could be held accountable.

    An unlicensed doctor or one who has a history of medical malpractice claims could open a hospital up to liability. Even though the doctor is not an employee, a hospital has an obligation to ensure that any physician practicing in its facility does not present an unreasonable risk to patients.

    A hospital should be sufficiently staffed and equipped to handle emergencies during delivery. If your child was harmed because of improper staffing or a lack of basic equipment, the hospital should be held accountable.

    Contact Our New Jersey Birth Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation

    Our New Jersey birth injury lawyers do not have the power to undo the devastating consequences of a birth injury. However, the attorneys and staff at the Reiff Law Firm will fight for the compensation you deserve. Money will not repair the damage but it could provide the means for a family to care for and provide for their injured child. To schedule an appointment with an experienced and compassionate attorney, call (215) 709-6940.

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    ...without them I would have been lost.

    I can’t say enough great things about the Attorneys at the Reiff Law Firm. They made me feel at ease when I was going through a very difficult time in my life. Never being in a situation like this I was so unsure of where to start and how to go about the process. Justin gave me options where I thought I had none and explained everything in a way that I could understand. Justin and the team helped me arrange all of the treatment and therapy that I needed, without them I would have been lost. My attorney John went to bat for me like no one else could have, his knowledge and professionalism is unmatched. If anyone is ever in need of a team of attorneys the Reiff Law Firm is my ONLY recommendation.

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    ...what started as a small settlement ended $100, 000 more than expected.

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    5.0/5.0
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    I’m very comfortable to say there’s no better in the city.

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    ...I want to say that the Reiff Law Firm changed my entire life with handling of my legal case.

    As a former client, I want to say that the Reiff Law Firm changed my entire life with handling of my legal case. I was in a very serious automobile accident with severe injuries to neck and back areas. I contacted the law firm and asked what to do with the medical bills and how do I get the correct representation against the individual who rear-ended my car. In short, the firm took complete control of the case contacting my insurance company and asking for all the medical bills and legal matters be sent directly to them. I was able to get treatment from my doctor without worrying about the legal stuff. Furthermore, two years later the case was settled for a substantial amount of money. My life was much better due to the firm handling of my case. My attorneys at Reiff Law Firm are absolutely the best and I have recommended to my family friends. Thanks Reiff Law Firm.

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    What started out as a time for me that included a lot of doubt, questions and hopelessness has turned into one of a hopeful future.

    I highly recommend the team at the Reiff Law Firm. Both Jeff and Robert were there to guide me through a very difficult time. What started out as a time for me that included a lot of doubt, questions and hopelessness has turned into one of a hopeful future. The team at the Reiff Law Firm made me feel at ease and I had no doubts trusting them with various concerns. They kept me informed every step of the way without making me feel overwhelmed or anxious. Don't hesitate to contact them for your legal needs - especially if you want a team that has the utmost concern and compassion for their clients.

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    THE REIFF FIRM IS AN OUTSTANDING LAW FIRM!

    I was referred to the Reiff Law Firm by a friend who had previously been a client of the firm. My friend told me that the Reiff Firm had done an incredible job handling his case and treated him like family. My friend's recommendation was spot on. I am going to miss them now that my case is over. Attorney Reiff and Attorney Toczydlowski are excellent attorneys. They really care. They got me an INCREDIBLE RESULT. Most importantly they were there for me during some extremely dark and difficult times in my life. I highly recommend the Reiff Law Firm to anyone seeking the very best legal representation for injuries they suffered in an accident.

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