Birth Injury Lawyer Coquitlam

Servicing Coquitlam and all of British Columbia

Waiting in the doctor’s office for test results can be a nerve-wracking experience. While we hope everything is normal, we may wonder what we might do if the tests identify a problem. For pregnant women, a test result revealing abnormalities with the fetus can be especially challenging as she weighs the risks on her health and her future child’s health if she attempts to carry to term.

But improper prenatal screening, failure to conduct all necessary tests, and failure to analyze and interpret the results and consider a patient’s past medical history as a guide might mean a woman is denied the chance to take special actions to reduce risk of medical abnormalities or make an informed decision if these risks are apparent or heightened.

For example, spina bifida is neural tube defect that occurs when the spinal column fails to completely close around the spinal cord nerves. In severe cases, open lesions are visible following birth. While these lesions can be repaired, related nerve damage causing paralysis and altered muscle function cannot. The cost of ongoing therapy, care and accommodation for such severe disabilities can be astronomical.

If a medical provider breaches standards of care due to negligence and causes or contributes to serious harm to a baby or mother, it’s called obstetrical malpractice. And it can dramatically change the course of a life forever.

Other Common Birth Injuries

Birth injuries can occur at any time during pregnancy, labour or delivery and in the period immediately following birth. Negligence or incompetence can result in misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis, improper care and management of medical conditions, or improper birthing techniques or judgment that cause trauma to the fetal or maternal body.

Some common birth injuries include:

Brain damage or Cerebral Palsy from perinatal asphyxia, anoxia or hypoxia (deprivation or absence of oxygen), in utero or maternal infection, birth trauma or long labour, placental insufficiency (a damaged placenta), meconium aspiration (first fecal matter and amniotic fluid is ingested by the lungs), or kernicterus (severe and untreated jaundice after birth).
Spinal cord injuries – Blunt force trauma from vacuums, forceps and other tools used during forced extractions, illness, or undiagnosed conditions can lead to painful nerve damage, loss of sensations, involuntary muscle control or reflexes, or paralysis.
Brachial plexus injuries – Injuries to the network of nerves running from the head to the shoulders may occur following shoulder dystocia (when the baby’s head is delivered while it’s shoulder remain stuck behind a women’s pelvic bone).
Broken bones soft tissue damage – Fractures, cuts, or permanent marks and scars may be caused by a forced extraction, through improper use of medical instruments, or during a traumatic delivery.

When You’ve Been Hurt, We’re Here To Help

Howie, Sacks and Henry’s experienced birth injury lawyers are ready to be at your service in Coquitlam if you or your loved one has been affected by obstetrical malpractice. As one of Canada’s top personal injury firms, we’ve developed the knowledge, skill and expertise necessary to be effective representatives for our clients in this challenging and complex area of law.

As birth injury lawyers, we understand that we are coming into your life at time when you may be overwhelmed by sadness, grief or anger. Learning that the negligent actions or inaction of a medical provider hurt someone you loved can be devastating; and thinking about the long-term financial consequences of serious or debilitating injuries can be downright frightening.

With HSH as a trusted part of the support network you’re building in Coquitlam, you can be confident that you’ll have strong advocates working tirelessly on your behalf. We will help you to make a claim for the financial resources you need and deserve for your pain, suffering and losses, and we will work with you to facilitate the testing, assessments and therapy you’ll need for your case and your rehabilitation and recovery.

An HSH birth injury lawyer will gladly meet with you in your own home in the Coquitlam area or at a nearby consultation office, so you’ll never have to worry about distance or your ability to travel preventing you for access high quality legal representation. As we listen to your story and discuss your options with empathy and compassion, you’ll see why you are always more than a file to us – you are a person deserving of respect, dignity and care during this difficult time.

With an HSH birth injury lawyer on your side and by your side in Coquitlam, together we can build a path for recovery, healing and hope for a better future.