Queens Birth Injury Lawyer

What This Page Covers

• Impact: Birth injuries can result from medical errors during delivery, causing severe consequences like cerebral palsy, brachial plexus injury, brain damage, organ dysfunction, and even neonatal death.
• Liability: Obstetricians, nurses, medical personnel, and hospitals may be held responsible for birth injuries caused by negligence, ensuring accountability and promoting safer medical practices.
• Negligence: Common medical malpractice scenarios include failure to diagnose fetal distress, delayed C-sections, misuse of delivery instruments, and excessive use of labor-inducing drugs like Pitocin.
• Compensation: The Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP helps families in Queens seek compensation for medical expenses, specialized care, pain and suffering, and loss of future earnings in birth injury cases.

Childbirth is a delicate process, and even with advanced medical training and technology, errors by medical professionals can lead to severe consequences for newborns. If your baby experienced a serious injury or passed away because of medical malpractice during childbirth, you have the right to understand what happened. When these outcomes were preventable, you may be entitled to file a medical malpractice claim.

The skilled and compassionate birth injury lawyers at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP are here to help you navigate this challenging time. Our legal team in Queens will thoroughly investigate your case if you suspect that negligence played a role in your child’s birth injury. With over 100 years of combined legal experience, we are prepared to seek compensation for your child’s ongoing care and your family’s suffering.

What Birth Injuries Commonly Occur in Queens?

Birth injuries, also known as birth trauma, refer to physical damage sustained by a newborn during the delivery process. These injuries differ from congenital disabilities, which are typically unavoidable conditions. Understanding the distinction between birth injuries and congenital disabilities is crucial for parents seeking justice and compensation. Congenital disabilities, like Down syndrome, are generally unavoidable. However, birth injuries are often preventable and can result from medical negligence.

Some of the most common birth injuries that occur in Queens include:

• Cerebral Palsy: This group of disorders affects a child’s ability to move and maintain balance. It often results from oxygen deprivation or head trauma during birth
• Brachial Plexus Injury: Damage to the network of shoulder nerves can cause loss of function in the shoulder, arms, hands, and fingers
• Brain Injury: Oxygen deprivation during birth can lead to severe brain damage, affecting a child’s cognitive and physical development
• Organ Dysfunction: Negligence during delivery can damage vital organs, like the lungs and eyes, leading to long-term health issues
• Stillbirth or Neonatal Death: Tragically, some cases of negligence result in the death of the newborn, causing immense grief and suffering for the family

These injuries can have lifelong impacts on the child and their family, highlighting the importance of identifying and addressing any negligence that may have occurred during delivery. Parents must be vigilant and aware of the signs of medical malpractice.

Who May Be Responsible for a Birth Injury in Queens?

When a birth injury results from medical malpractice, various parties may be held responsible. Identifying all liable parties is crucial to building a strong case and ensuring justice. The following individuals and institutions may be held accountable:

• Obstetricians and Nurses: Those directly involved in the delivery can be liable for errors leading to injury
• Technicians and Other Medical Personnel: Any medical staff whose actions or inactions contributed to the injury
• Hospitals and Medical Centers: The institution where the delivery took place may also be held accountable

A successful medical malpractice lawsuit can financially relieve medical expenses and other associated costs. This compensation ensures your child receives the necessary care and support. Additionally, holding negligent parties accountable can help prevent similar incidents, promoting safer medical practices.

What Scenarios Typically Result in Birth Injuries?

Medical professionals are trained to anticipate complications and adhere to established protocols. However, deviations from these standards can lead to severe birth injuries. Common examples of medical malpractice include:

• Failure to Diagnose Fetal Distress: If medical staff do not promptly recognize and respond to signs of fetal distress, the baby may suffer brain damage
• Inadequate Response to Maternal Bleeding: Prompt action is required if vaginal bleeding occurs during labor or delivery to prevent harm to the baby
• Delayed C-section: Situations requiring a cesarean section, such as umbilical cord issues or fetal distress, must be addressed immediately
• Misuse of Delivery Instruments: Improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors can result in severe trauma to the newborn
• Excessive Use of Pitocin: Overuse of labor-inducing drugs like Pitocin can cause complications for both mother and baby

Understanding these potential lapses can help identify instances of medical negligence that led to birth injuries. If you suspect medical malpractice caused your child’s birth injury, don’t wait to seek legal advice to pursue justice.

How Much Compensation Can You Get for a Birth Injury in Queens?

Families coping with the aftermath of a birth injury often face substantial expenses for medical care, special education, and other essential needs. The financial strain can be immense, particularly when long-term care is necessary for a child with severe injuries.

Here are the types of compensation you may be eligible to receive in a successful lawsuit:

• Medical expenses
• Specialized care
• Educational support
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of future earnings

In certain cases, punitive damages may be awarded if gross negligence is established. These damages aim to penalize the responsible parties and discourage similar behavior in the future. Securing compensation through a birth injury lawsuit can help alleviate the financial strain and ensure your child receives the care and support they need. 

Consult Seasoned Birth Injury Attorney in Queens for Free Today

If you’re a parent in Queens facing the consequences of a birth injury, the dedicated birth injury lawyes at Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP are here to assist you. Our team, led by Richard Jaffe, brings extensive experience in medical malpractice cases and a profound understanding of the emotional and financial challenges you face. Our Queens birth injury lawyers are committed to seeking justice and securing the highest possible compensation for your family following a birth injury.

We offer a free consultation to review your case, and there are no lawyer fees unless we recover compensation for you. Our award-winning team is dedicated to holding negligent medical professionals accountable and securing the financial support your family needs. For a free consultation, call our office in Queens at (718) 280-5337 or fill out our contact form. For more information about services and how we can assist you during this time, visit and subscribe to our YouTube Channel.