Austin Birth Injury Lawyer – Medical Malpractice Attorney
Doctors, surgeons, nurses, pharmacists, medical technicians, and other healthcare professionals all provide enormously important services to their patients, keeping them healthy in body and mind. Although the majority of these specialists conduct themselves professionally and competently, the negligence of one doctor, hospital, or other healthcare provider can have traumatic and lifelong consequences for patients who receive improper care. Patients who become victims of medical malpractice can suffer death or serious injury, and they and their families have the right to bring a claim against the negligent party. Our firm has brought claims against professionals in places such as Killeen, Wichita Falls, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, and across Texas and the country. Handling claims involving cerebral palsy and other birth injury, our attorneys have represented clients in a wide range of cases and have obtained some of the highest settlements in history. Contact our firm in Austin , Texas today to meet with our medical malpractice attorneys.
Common Forms of Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice can occur in many forms, some more obvious than others. Some of the most common forms of medical malpractice include: prescription drug mistakes, the failure to diagnose cancer or another serious disease, the misdiagnosis of a serious disease, emergency room error, surgical error, post-surgical infections, birth injury, wrongful amputation, unwarranted testing of experimental drugs on patients, and other kinds of inadequate or unethical treatment. If you or a loved one has suffered from birth injury, cerebral palsy, or another serious injury as a result of medical malpractice, our attorneys can help you determine whether you may be eligible to bring a claim against the negligent party.
Cerebral Palsy
Affecting nearly five thousand newborns each year, cerebral palsy refers to any one of a number of neurological impairments resulting from the faulty development of or damage to the part of the brain responsible for movement and motor function. Cerebral palsy can also be accompanied by stunted intellectual development and impaired hearing and vision, as well as behavioral problems and seizures. Although cerebral palsy doesn’t always cause acute disabilities, a child with the condition may find it difficult or even impossible to walk or speak. Children with severe cerebral palsy will require intensive, lifelong care.
Although several things can cause cerebral palsy, including a traumatic fall, a brain infection such as bacterial meningitis, or a blow to the head sustained in a motor vehicle accident, it can also result from medical malpractice. If the obstetrician fails to recognize and address complications during delivery such as a prolapsed umbilical cord, fetal distress, or a series of changes in fetal heart rate, the baby’s health may be in jeopardy. The improper use of forceps or vacuum extraction can also lead to the development of cerebral palsy.
Our firm is dedicated to representing families in Austin , San Antonio , and across Texas who have been affected by cerebral palsy or any other birth injury as a result of medical malpractice. Our attorneys and staff have specialized medical training that assists and informs our research and preparation for medical malpractice cases. Our senior attorney is a pharmacist, and another team member is a registered nurse.
Erb’s / Brachial Plexus Palsy
Brachial plexus palsy, also known as Erb’s palsy, is a birth injury for which our attorneys frequently bring medical malpractice claims. Brachial plexus palsy affects nearly five thousand newborns every year and, in many cases, is preventable.
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves responsible for transmitting signals from the cervical (upper) spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. If these nerves are damaged, it can cause complete or partial paralysis of the muscles in the shoulder, arm, or hand. Although nearly 90 percent of brachial plexus injuries are resolved within the first year of the baby’s life, the cases that are not resolved often require surgery, therapy, and other intensive treatment. Children with severe brachial plexus palsy will have lifelong limitations and require ongoing treatment.
There are several known risk factors for brachial plexus palsy that medical professionals can identify prior to delivery and mitigate with adjustments to the delivery process that minimize the risk of the baby being harmed. If a doctor fails to takes these steps, the child may unnecessarily sustain brachial plexus injuries. Furthermore, a doctor’s use of excessive force or traction during a delivery or improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors can result in a brachial plexus palsy or other birth injury. Our medical malpractice attorneys can represent victims of this type of professional negligence.
Medical Malpractice and the Federal Tort Claims Act
Medical malpractice cases sometimes involve military doctors or hospitals. The Federal Tort Claims Act governs lawsuits against the United States government, including medical malpractice lawsuits involving military physicians, facilities, and other healthcare providers. With extensive experience in medical malpractice and birth injury claims, our attorneys have handled cases both inside and outside Texas, including cases from Darnall Army Community Hospital, Sheppard Air Force Base, and many others. In fact, our lawyers have obtained two of the highest Federal Tort Claims Act verdicts in United States history: Dickerson v. U.S. (over $18.9 million received by our clients) and Lebron v. U.S. (over $15.7 million received by our clients). Both of these cases involved children who suffered serious birth injuries due to medical malpractice.
Contact Our Medical Malpractice Attorneys
It is extremely time-consuming and expensive to pursue a complex medical malpractice case, but our firm can skillfully guide you through the litigation process. Serving the greater Austin and San Antonio, Texas areas, our firm accepts medical malpractice, Federal Tort Claims Act, and cerebral palsy birth injury claims. Contact our attorneys today to schedule a consultation.