Fighting for Justice for Your Infant
Birth should be a moment of celebration and joy, but for some families, it becomes the beginning of a challenging journey due to medical negligence. Birth asphyxia, which occurs when a baby does not receive enough oxygen during or immediately after birth, can lead to devastating consequences, including long-term disabilities, developmental delays, or even death. At Van Wey, Metzler & Williams, our experienced attorneys are dedicated to representing families impacted by birth asphyxia. We fight tirelessly to hold negligent medical providers accountable and to secure the compensation families need to care for their injured child.
What Is Birth Asphyxia?
Birth asphyxia refers to a lack of oxygen to a baby’s brain and other vital organs during the birthing process. Oxygen deprivation, even for a short time, can cause serious injuries, including brain damage, cerebral palsy, or other life-altering conditions. These outcomes are often preventable with proper medical care and timely intervention.
Causes of Birth Asphyxia
While not all cases of birth asphyxia result from medical negligence, many are preventable with appropriate monitoring and timely decision-making. Common causes include:
- Delayed C-Sections: Failure to recognize signs of fetal distress and delay in performing an emergency C-section can prolong oxygen deprivation.
- Mismanagement of Labor: Errors during labor, such as using delivery tools like forceps or vacuums improperly, can lead to asphyxia.
- Failure to Monitor Fetal Distress: Inadequate monitoring of the baby’s heart rate during labor can result in delayed responses to critical warning signs.
- Umbilical Cord Complications: Issues like umbilical cord prolapse or nuchal cord (cord wrapped around the baby’s neck) can restrict oxygen flow.
- Improper Use of Anesthesia: Errors in administering anesthesia during labor can cause complications that impact the baby’s oxygen supply.
At Van Wey, Metzler & Williams, we understand the complexities of these cases and have the expertise to identify when medical negligence played a role in causing birth asphyxia.
Long-Term Consequences of Birth Asphyxia
The effects of birth asphyxia can vary widely depending on the severity and duration of oxygen deprivation. For many families, the consequences are life-altering and include:
- Cerebral Palsy: A group of disorders affecting movement and posture, often caused by brain damage from oxygen deprivation.
- Developmental Delays: Children may experience delays in reaching milestones like walking, talking, or other cognitive functions.
- Seizure Disorders: Birth asphyxia can increase the risk of epilepsy and other seizure-related conditions.
- Learning Disabilities: Long-term cognitive impairments that affect education and everyday functioning.
- Behavioral Challenges: Emotional regulation and behavioral issues are common in children who have suffered brain injuries.
- Chronic Medical Needs: Many children require ongoing therapies, medical equipment, or specialized care throughout their lives.
These long-term needs often create significant financial and emotional burdens for families, making legal action essential to ensure the resources required for proper care are secured.
How We Can Help: Fighting for Justice
At Van Wey, Metzler & Williams, we approach every case with compassion, expertise, and determination. Our legal team thoroughly investigates each case to identify whether medical negligence occurred and builds a strong claim to secure maximum compensation for our clients. Here’s how we can help:
Comprehensive Case Evaluation
We work closely with medical experts to review your child’s medical records and identify instances of negligence during prenatal care, labor, or delivery. Our team looks for errors in fetal monitoring, delays in interventions, or improper delivery techniques that may have caused or contributed to birth asphyxia.
Securing Compensation
Families impacted by birth asphyxia often face overwhelming financial burdens. We fight to secure compensation for:
- Medical expenses, including hospital stays, surgeries, and ongoing treatments.
- Costs of long-term care, such as physical, occupational, and speech therapies.
- Adaptive equipment and home modifications needed for mobility and care.
- Pain and suffering for both the child and their family.
- Loss of future earning capacity, if applicable.
Advocating for Systemic Change
Beyond seeking justice for individual families, our work helps drive accountability in the healthcare system. By holding negligent providers accountable, we aim to prevent future cases of birth asphyxia and improve safety standards in labor and delivery care.
Real Stories: Families We’ve Helped
Case Study: Delayed C-Section
A mother in her first pregnancy experienced prolonged labor, during which fetal heart rate monitoring indicated significant distress. Despite clear signs that an emergency C-section was needed, medical staff delayed the procedure, resulting in oxygen deprivation for the baby. The child was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Our team secured a multi-million-dollar settlement, ensuring the family had the resources to provide lifelong care.
Case Study: Failure to Monitor Fetal Distress
During a routine delivery, medical staff failed to recognize and respond to signs of umbilical cord compression. The baby suffered hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and now requires round-the-clock care. We held the hospital accountable, winning a significant verdict that helped the family cover medical expenses and long-term care needs.
These are just two examples of how we’ve helped families find justice after preventable birth injuries.
Why Choose Van Wey, Metzler & Williams?
Expertise in Birth Injury Cases
With decades of experience and a focus on medical malpractice, our attorneys are well-versed in the unique complexities of birth injury cases. We have successfully represented families across the country, recovering millions of dollars in compensation.
Compassionate Client Care
We understand the emotional toll birth asphyxia takes on families. That’s why we prioritize compassion and open communication throughout the legal process. You’re not just a client to us—you’re part of our extended family.
National Recognition
Our firm is nationally recognized for its success in high-stakes medical malpractice cases. Led by board-certified trial lawyer Kay Van Wey, we bring unmatched expertise and dedication to every case we handle.
Take the First Step Toward Justice
If your family has been affected by birth asphyxia caused by medical negligence, you don’t have to face this journey alone. At Van Wey, Metzler & Williams, we are committed to securing justice for families and driving change in the healthcare system.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Call (888) 414-1158 or fill out our online contact form to discuss your case with our experienced attorneys. Together, we can seek accountability and help your family move forward.
