Birth Injury Lawyer in Lomita, CA
When the joy of welcoming a new child is overshadowed by an unexpected birth injury, families in Lomita, California need specialized legal support. Birth injuries can have lifelong consequences, affecting not only a child's development but also creating significant emotional and financial burdens for families. Finding experienced legal representation from a birth injury lawyer who understands the complexities of these cases is essential for securing the compensation your family deserves.
Birth injuries occur during the labor and delivery process, often resulting from medical negligence or improper care. Unlike birth defects, which develop during pregnancy, birth injuries are typically preventable with proper medical attention and care during childbirth.
The consequences of a birth injury can be devastating. Many families face substantial medical bills, ongoing therapy costs, specialized equipment expenses, and potential lifetime care requirements. Beyond the financial strain, parents and family members often experience significant emotional distress as they adjust to caring for a child with special needs resulting from a preventable injury.
Common Types of Birth InjuriesBirth injuries can range from mild, temporary conditions to severe, permanent disabilities. Some of the most common birth injuries include:
- Cerebral Palsy: A neurological disorder affecting movement and muscle coordination, often caused by oxygen deprivation during birth
- Brachial Plexus Injuries: Damage to the network of nerves controlling the arms and hands, including Erb's Palsy and Klumpke's Palsy
- Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE): Brain damage resulting from oxygen deprivation
- Shoulder Dystocia: A birth complication where the baby's shoulder becomes stuck behind the mother's pubic bone
- Fractures: Particularly clavicle (collarbone) and skull fractures during difficult deliveries
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Resulting in partial or complete paralysis
- Facial Paralysis: Temporary or permanent damage to facial nerves
- Intracranial Hemorrhage: Bleeding in or around the brain
- Caput Succedaneum: Swelling of the soft tissues of the baby's scalp
- Cephalohematoma: Bleeding between the skull bone and its covering membrane
If your child has suffered a birth injury in Lomita or surrounding areas of Los Angeles County, it's crucial to understand when legal intervention may be necessary. Consider consulting a birth injury lawyer if:
- Your child has been diagnosed with a condition that may have resulted from complications during labor or delivery
- Healthcare providers used forceps, vacuum extraction, or other assistive devices during delivery
- There were signs of fetal distress that were not properly addressed
- The delivery involved unexpected complications or emergency procedures
- You believe medical professionals failed to provide the standard of care during pregnancy, labor, or delivery
A birth injury lawyer from Moseley Collins Law can provide invaluable assistance throughout the legal process:
- Case Evaluation: Determining whether you have a viable case based on the circumstances surrounding your child's birth injury
- Medical Record Review: Working with experts to analyze medical records and identify potential negligence
- Expert Testimony: Securing qualified experts to testify about the standard of care and how it was breached
- Damage Calculation: Assessing current and future costs associated with your child's injury, including medical treatment, therapy, adaptive equipment, and potential lifetime care
- Settlement Negotiation: Representing your interests in discussions with insurance companies and healthcare providers
- Court Representation: Advocating for your family in court if a fair settlement cannot be reached
When selecting a birth injury lawyer to represent your family in Lomita, consider these important factors:
Experience and FocusBirth injury cases require focused knowledge of both medical and legal principles. At Moseley Collins Law, our lawyers have 40+ years of experience handling complex birth injury cases. We understand the intricate details of obstetrical and neonatal care, allowing us to effectively identify instances of negligence and build compelling cases for our clients.
Track Record of SuccessA lawyer's track record provides insight into their ability to secure favorable outcomes. Moseley Collins Law has won millions for our clients in birth injury cases, demonstrating our commitment to achieving justice for families affected by medical negligence.
Resources and NetworkEffective birth injury litigation often requires collaboration with experts and other specialists. Moseley Collins Law has established relationships with respected professionals who can provide expert testimony to strengthen your case.
Understanding what to expect when pursuing a birth injury lawsuit can help families prepare for the process ahead:
Initial ConsultationYour journey begins with a free consultation with Moseley Collins Law. During this meeting, we'll discuss the circumstances surrounding your child's birth injury, review available medical records, and determine whether you have grounds for a lawsuit. We offer free consultations and will point you in the right direction even if we can't help with your specific situation.
Investigation and Case BuildingIf we proceed with your case, our team will conduct a thorough investigation, gathering medical records, consulting with experts, and identifying all potentially liable parties.
Filing the LawsuitOnce we've assembled the necessary evidence, we'll file a formal complaint against the responsible parties, which may include healthcare providers, hospitals, or medical device manufacturers.
Discovery PhaseDuring discovery, both sides exchange information and evidence. This phase may include depositions (sworn testimonies), written interrogatories, and requests for documentation.
Settlement NegotiationsMany birth injury cases are resolved through settlement negotiations. Our experienced lawyers will work diligently to secure a fair settlement that covers your child's current and future needs.
TrialIf a settlement cannot be reached, your case will proceed to trial. At Moseley Collins Law, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial, ensuring we're ready to advocate effectively for your family in court.
Hospitals Serving Lomita, CA and Surrounding AreasFamilies in Lomita have access to several hospitals and medical facilities for maternal and pediatric care:
- Torrance Memorial Medical Center
- Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance
- Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
- Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center
- Long Beach Memorial Medical Center
Moseley Collins Law provides legal representation for birth injury cases throughout Lomita and neighboring communities in Los Angeles County, including:
- Harbor City
- Rolling Hills
- Rolling Hills Estates
- Torrance
- Rancho Palos Verdes
- Palos Verdes Estates
- San Pedro
- Carson
- Redondo Beach
- Wilmington
- Gardena
- Hawthorne
- Manhattan Beach
- Hermosa Beach
Birth injuries often result from preventable medical errors or negligence during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. Some common causes include:
Delayed or Improper Response to Fetal DistressFailure to monitor fetal heart rate or respond appropriately to signs of distress can lead to oxygen deprivation and subsequent brain damage.
Improper Use of Birth-Assisting ToolsForceps and vacuum extractors, when used incorrectly, can cause skull fractures, brain bleeding, or nerve damage.
Failure to Order a Timely Cesarean SectionDelaying a necessary C-section when complications arise can result in oxygen deprivation and other serious injuries.
Medication ErrorsAdministering incorrect medications or dosages during pregnancy, labor, or delivery can harm both mother and baby.
Communication FailuresPoor communication among healthcare providers can lead to critical information being overlooked or misunderstood, resulting in substandard care.
Compensation in Birth Injury CasesFamilies affected by birth injuries may be entitled to various forms of compensation, including:
Economic Damages- Current and future medical expenses
- Therapy and rehabilitation costs
- Specialized equipment and home modifications
- Lost income for parents who must reduce work hours to care for their child
- Lifetime care costs for children with permanent disabilities
- Pain and suffering experienced by the child
- Emotional distress of family members
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment of life's activities
If your child has suffered a birth injury in Lomita or surrounding areas, don't face this challenging time alone. The experienced birth injury lawyers at Moseley Collins Law are here to provide the compassionate, skilled legal representation your family deserves.
We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that birth injuries can take on families. Our dedicated team will work tirelessly to secure the compensation your child needs for medical care, therapy, and a secure future.
Contact Moseley Collins Law today at 800-426-5546 for a free consultation.