Birth Injury - General Birth FAQ

What are the signs at birth that my baby may be injured?

• Persistent poor nursing

• Seizures that develop within 24 to 48 hours after birth

• An APGAR score of 5 or less at five minutes, 7 or less at 10 minutes

• An infant that is “floppy” after five minutes

• No infant cry before it is 10 minutes old (unless the baby has a breathing tube in its throat)

• Prolonged resuscitation of the baby after delivery

• Full-term baby who does not go home with its mother

How can birth injuries be treated?
Once the type of disorder is identified, there are an ever-growing number of resources and programs, many of them government-funded. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ( http://www.nichcy.org/idea.htm) in part provides for early intervention services across the country. Physical therapy, speech therapy, and specialized play therapy are accepted modes of management that have replaced the less effective institutions of the past. Still, most parents will seek supplementary treatment from private facilities for their child.

Do I have a case?
A significant number of birth injury cases result from negligence on the part of medical professionals. This is why a birth injury lawyer can help you. Often, complications during pregnancy can be improperly diagnosed or overlooked. During labor, conditions can rapidly change, requiring quick but informed decisions to be made. If at any point a healthcare professional fails to adhere to established professional standards, damages may be recoverable under medical malpractice laws. Tell us what happened. Lawyers experienced in the complexities of medical malpractice law can evaluate your case and explain the legal process involved in pursuing a claim.

What kind of compensation is typical for a case like this?
A typical malpractice claim will include compensation for pain and suffering, payment of medical expenses for treating the injury caused by the malpractice and reimbursement for any past, present or future financial losses that you have incurred as a result of the malpractice.

How do you charge?
There is no charge for your preliminary visit or telephone call. Your questions will be answered and there is no obligation. If your case is found to have merit and we are hired by you to pursue it, we will not charge a fee unless you get a monetary recovery, whether in settlement or through trial. Our fee is a percentage of your recovery. While your case is in process, Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin will advance all costs for investigators, experts, filing fees and other expenses associated with obtaining the maximum recovery possible. If no recovery is made, you will owe us nothing

What should I do if I feel my baby is a victim of medical neglect?
If you believe your baby has suffered a birth injury or defect that was caused by medical neglect, contact an experienced birth injury lawyer with your questions for a free evaluation of your case. An Indiana or Illinois injury attorney at Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin is compassionate and understanding of your situation and wants to help you during this difficult time.

Free Consultation!

Have you been injured?  Contact the Indiana, Illinois or Ohio birth injury lawyers at Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin.  Our office is located in Terre Haute, Indiana, but we have successfully advocated for clients throughout the area, including Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati in Ohio; Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and South Bend in Indiana; and Chicago, Decatur, Springfield and Urbana-Champaign in Illinois. Complete a Free Online Consultation Form or call us toll free at 1-800-618-4878 to contact us today.