My Baby Suffered Fetal Distress. Can I File a Birth Injury Claim?
Fetal distress is a general term used to indicate that a fetus is not well in some way. For example, one of the most common cases of fetal distress occurs when a child is getting insufficient amounts of oxygen, which can lead to long-term neurological injuries, cerebral palsy, and even death.
An experienced physician should monitor your child for signs of fetal distress throughout your pregnancy. Provided you keep all of your appointments, your doctor could be liable for missing signs of fetal distress that later result in injuries to your child.
In most situations, fetal distress should be detectable early on. If your doctor missed something he or she shouldn’t have, you may be able to file a medical malpractice suit for financial compensation. Contact a New York City fetal distress lawyer to discuss your options.
How Is a Doctor Liable for Fetal Distress?
Doctors are required to exercise a certain amount of care, especially when it comes to the diagnosis of fetal distress.
This involves properly monitoring the fetus’ development throughout all stages of a pregnancy. Should anything abnormal be detected, your doctor must advise you of what treatment options are available. A child who has suffered from undiagnosed distress is liable to be born with birth defects such as neurological injuries and cerebral palsy.
If your doctor fails to take any of these steps and your child suffers fetal distress, this creates a medical malpractice situation for which the doctor can be sued. A New York City fetal distress lawyer can assist you with the legal process of a medical malpractice suit.
Expenses and Damages of Fetal Distress
Fetal distress can be a life-threatening situation and can result in the need for long-term medical care.
If your child has been injured because of undiagnosed fetal distress, you have the right to sue and seek compensation for financial damages:
- Medical bills and related expenses
- Home medical equipment
- Lost wages due to caring for the injured or disabled child
- Modifications to your home or vehicle to accommodate the injury or disability
Treating the medical conditions that result from fetal distress can be extremely expensive. Engaging the services of a New York City fetal distress lawyer is your surest option for receiving the financial compensation your family deserves.
Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations in New York City for medical malpractice suits is two and a half years from the date of the injury. This begins the day your child was born, making it important to hire a New York City fetal distress lawyer right away.
Two and a half years can seem like a long time, but it will take time to collect the necessary evidence and expert medical testimony needed to build a strong case.
Contact a New York City Fetal Distress Lawyer
Doctors have a duty to provide their patients with adequate medical care. When a doctor fails to notice the symptoms of fetal distress, it can alter the course of a child’s life forever.
An act of negligence that negatively impacts a family’s quality of life should be held to account. To explore your options for financial compensation, contact a New York City fetal distress lawyer at Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP by calling 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462).