If you or a loved one has suffered due to the negligence of a healthcare professional, you may be entitled to compensation. At Brown, Bass & Jeter, our team of medical malpractice lawyers in Hattiesburg is dedicated to helping clients seek justice for injuries caused by medical errors, misdiagnosis, and other forms of malpractice. We understand the complexities of these cases and are committed to providing compassionatelegal representation. If you believe you have been a victim of medical malpractice, don’t wait to get the help you need—contact us today for a free consultation at (601) 327-4024.
What Hattiesburg Parents Should Know About Birth Injuries and Medical Negligence
Welcoming a new child into the world is supposed to be one of life’s most joyful experiences. But when medical professionals make mistakes during pregnancy, labor, or delivery, that moment can turn into a lifetime of challenges. Birth injuries caused by medical negligence can leave lasting physical, emotional, and financial impacts on families. Understanding your rights and the legal options available in Hattiesburg is essential if you believe a healthcare provider’s error harmed your child.
What Is a Birth Injury?
A birth injury is any physical harm that occurs to a baby before, during, or just after delivery. Not all birth injuries are the result of medical malpractice. Sometimes complications happen even when doctors do everything right. However, when a birth injury is caused by a doctor, nurse, or hospital failing to follow accepted standards of care, it may become the basis for a medical malpractice claim.
Common types of birth injuries include:
- Cerebral palsy
- Erb’s palsy (brachial plexus injury)
- Skull fractures
- Oxygen deprivation (hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy)
- Spinal cord damage
- Nerve injuries
In many of these cases, timely and competent medical care could have prevented or minimized the harm.
How Medical Negligence Can Cause Birth Injuries
Healthcare providers are expected to follow established protocols to protect both the mother and the baby during pregnancy and childbirth. When these protocols aren’t followed, the consequences can be severe. Here are some examples of negligent actions that could lead to a birth injury:
- Failing to monitor fetal distress during labor
- Misusing forceps or vacuum extractors
- Delaying a necessary C-section
- Not recognizing signs of preeclampsia or infections
- Administering the wrong medication or dosage
- Inadequate prenatal testing or diagnosis of conditions like gestational diabetes
These types of errors often come down to poor communication, lack of attention, or judgment errors—failures that can forever change a family’s life.
Signs Your Baby May Have Suffered a Birth Injury
Not all injuries are immediately obvious after delivery. Some may become apparent over the following weeks or months. As a parent, it’s important to trust your instincts. If something feels off, it may be worth having your child evaluated by a medical professional.
Some signs that may indicate a birth injury include:
- Lack of movement or weakness in one arm or leg
- Seizures shortly after birth
- Difficulty feeding or sucking
- Excessive fussiness or inconsolable crying
- Delayed developmental milestones (such as rolling over or crawling)
- Poor muscle tone (too floppy or too stiff)
If your child shows any of these signs, consider requesting a thorough medical review—and keep records of all evaluations and treatment.
What Makes a Birth Injury a Medical Malpractice Case?
Not all birth injuries qualify as medical malpractice. To pursue a legal claim, you must be able to show that:
- A doctor-patient relationship existed.
- The medical provider failed to meet the standard of care.
- That failure directly caused your child’s injury.
- The injury resulted in measurable harm (medical bills, future care costs, pain and suffering, etc.).
This can be difficult to prove on your own. Medical malpractice cases are often complex and require detailed investigation, including reviewing medical records, consulting expert witnesses, and assessing long-term impact.
Why Birth Injury Cases Require Legal Help
Medical malpractice lawsuits involving birth injuries are some of the most challenging types of personal injury claims. Hospitals and their insurance companies are well-prepared to defend themselves. They often have teams of lawyers whose job is to minimize liability.
Working with an experienced birth injury attorney in Hattiesburg levels the playing field. A skilled lawyer can:
- Investigate your child’s injury and gather supporting evidence
- Consult with medical experts to determine whether negligence occurred
- Estimate current and future costs of care
- Handle communication with hospitals, insurance adjusters, and legal teams
- Represent your interests in court, if necessary
At Brown, Bass & Jeter, we have helped families in Hattiesburg navigate the legal process with care and determination. Our team understands how devastating these cases can be, and we are committed to helping you seek justice and financial support for your child’s needs.
How Much Time Do You Have to File a Claim in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims is generally two years from the date the injury occurred—or from when it was reasonably discovered. In birth injury cases, this timeline can be complicated, especially if symptoms don’t appear right away.
It’s crucial to speak with a lawyer as soon as you suspect something may be wrong. Waiting too long can make it harder to gather evidence and may prevent you from filing a claim altogether.
What Compensation Can Be Recovered?
The costs of caring for a child with a birth injury can be significant, often lasting a lifetime. Through a successful medical malpractice claim, you may be able to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Ongoing therapy and rehabilitation
- Assistive devices and home modifications
- Special education needs
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Emotional distress for both the child and the parents
Each case is unique. A thorough evaluation by a qualified attorney is the best way to understand the potential value of your claim.
Let Our Medical Malpractice Lawyers Fight for You
Medical malpractice cases can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face them alone. At Brown, Bass & Jeter, our Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Hattiesburg are here to guide you through every step of the legal process, working tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve. If you or a loved one has been harmed by medical negligence, don’t wait—reach out to us today for a free consultation. Call (601) 327-4024 and let our team help you get the justice you deserve.
Call Us for a Free Consultation
(601) 487-8448