Birth Injury Lawyer North Bay

Servicing North Bay and all of Ontario

It’s said that silence is golden. But in a delivery room, silence is terrifying. In the moments after a mother-to-be gives the final push or learns that her baby has been delivered via a caesarean section, she and everyone else present anxiously anticipate hearing the newborn let out a big cry after taking a first breath.

The longer the wait, the more worried everyone becomes. Prolonged oxygen deprivation before, during or immediately after a birth can cause serious brain damage that may result in permanent, life long disability.

Doctors and other medical staff involved in deliveries are trained to monitor signs of fetal distress that may indicate it is receiving insufficient oxygen from the placenta prior to birth and must be mindful of other factors such as lengthy labour, shoulder dystocia or maternal medical conditions (preeclampsia, eclampsia, or excessive medications) which must be addressed to avoid oxygen-related brain injuries.

Sadly, mistakes can occur and some of these injuries may be unavoidable; however, if a medical provider’s negligent actions or inaction breaches standards of practice and causes serious harm to a mother or infant, it’s called obstetrical malpractice. And it can change a life forever.

Common Types of Birth Injuries

Oxygen deprivation (asphyxia), insufficiency (hypoxia) or absence (anoxia) while in utero or during the delivery process is known to a factor in the development of cerebral palsy (CP). In addition to CP-related mobility impairments, an oxygen-deprived infant may be a risk of acquiring severe learning disabilities, having behavioural problems and suffering from epileptic seizures.

Other common types of birth injuries include:

Spinal cord and nerve damage, broken bones or scarring from use of forceful extraction tools or complications from shoulder dystocia
Post-birth brain damage from severe jaundice/kernicterus
Meconium aspiration (fecal matter ingested into the lungs) from birth trauma, lengthy labour, or improper procedures

Many birth injuries result in permanent disabilities or loss of function and rob both an infant and their loved ones of the kind of life and quality of life they could have had under normal circumstances. Learning that a medical provider’s negligent actions or inactions contributed to or caused a birth injury can be especially devastating. A momentary lapse of judgment or bit of carelessness on the part of an obstetrician while monitoring a pregnancy can cause lifelong pain and suffering.

We Can Help When You’ve Been Hurt

Howie, Sacks and Henry’s birth injury lawyers are ready to assist you in North Bay if you or a loved one was the victim of obstetrical malpractice. Our team of experienced, knowledgeable and skilled lawyers has been recognized as one of Canada’s top personal injury firms. With a reputation for strongly advocating for our clients interests while treating them with compassion, care and kindness, you can be confident that you will never feel as though you’re just a file to us.

To ensure distance and ability to travel are not obstacles to high quality legal representation, an HSH birth injury lawyer will gladly arrange to meet you in your own home in the North Bay area or at a nearby consultation office. We will listen to your story attentively and with empathy. As we offer advice and inform you of your options, we will answer any questions you may have and help you to understand what can sometimes feel like an overwhelming process.

As your trusted advocate, we will seek the compensation and financial resources you and your child need to thrive. We know that we often first meet our clients at a very low point in their life as they come to terms with a tragic birth injury event. Our goal is to work with you to ensure there are better days ahead for you and your family.

If you live in the North Bay area and you or a loved one has suffered from obstetrical malpractice, let HSH birth injury lawyers help you