Birth injuries are a physical injury that a baby can sustain as a result of the birthing process. This can be a result of a range of issues such as the baby's size, prematurity, prolonged labor, or abnormal birthing presentation.
From these issues, birth injuries can occur such as brachial palsy, bruising, forceps marks, and even facial paralysis. If you have experienced such an issue, you may wish to take legal action and recoup any additional medical charges that you paid, and gain compensation and to do this you need legal assistance. Below, we look at four key stages in this process that will allow you to get the legal representation you deserve.
Improve Your Understanding of Birth Injury Cases
The first step is to do a little research relating to birth injury cases. This should include understanding common birth injuries and their causes, the potential long term impact on your child, the grounds for legal action, and common expected outcomes. The more you know, the easier the legal process will be, and the more realistic you can be about the end results.
Research Birth Injury Lawyers and Look for Specific Qualities
You could simply go to your local law firm and work with them, but this may not yield the best results. Ideally, you want a specialized lawyer that works predominantly in the area of child injury law. Research law firms and lawyers, and look for the following qualities:
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A specific background in child injury law.
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Evidence of successful child injury/birth injury cases.
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Testimonials from real clients.
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Specific legal qualifications relating to child law and/or injury law.
Where possible, request to speak to previous clients so you can hear from them first-hand about the lawyer and their approach to birth injury cases. We recommend making a shortlist of 3-5 potentials.
Arrange Initial Consultations and Shortlist Candidates
Once you have researched your options, it is recommended to arrange an initial meeting/consultation with as many of the lawyers as possible. We understand that this is a difficult time, and you may not have the time to do this for all your options, but it’s essential that you at least do this for your top legal candidate. During this consultation you can ask important questions, get to know the lawyer, and get a feeling for if you want to use them or not.
Hire a Lawyer and Start the Legal Process
With your decision made, you can hire your lawyer and start the legal process. Make sure that you have discussed retainers and a fee structure with the lawyer, and are 100% clear on the process and your responsibilities.
Get the Legal Support You Are Entitled To
Dealing with a birth injury for your child is a difficult enough period; you have to deal with the emotional turmoil, wellbeing of your baby, and making sure that their needs are catered for. This is why at the same time, you want your birth injury settlements to go smoothly so as to not add additional stress.
You can ensure this happens by getting the right legal representation, understanding birth injury cases, and knowing what qualities to look for in a lawyer. Once you have done this, you can arrange an initial consultation to see which legal firm feels like the right fit.
