Birth Injury Lawyer Peterborough

Servicing Peterborough and all of Ontario

In the first few moments following a birth, everyone waits with great anticipation to hear a baby take its first breath and let out a big cry. But if there is silence or if the baby appears to be experiencing respiratory distress, the newborn may be experiencing complications from meconium aspiration. A medical provider must work quickly to stabilize the newborn and carefully monitor their progress afterwards.

One in seven pregnancies will have meconium-stained amniotic fluid (fetal fecal matter present in amniotic fluid), and in about five per cent of these pregnancies the baby will develop meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) when the baby ingests meconium. Common risk factors include fetal maturity (full-term pregnancy or overdue birth), fetal distress (from hypoxia and placental insufficiency), maternal hypertension, and pre-eclampsia.

The severity of this condition varies greatly, but there is an increased risk of neurodevelopmental defects in newborns with MAS – particularly with prolonged exposure – infection, hypoxia and pulmonary inflammation.

Medical providers have a variety of methods to treat MAS, including assisted ventilation, anti-inflammatory medication and antibiotics to fight infection, but must correctly diagnose the condition, monitor at-risk infants carefully, and begin treatments quickly. If standards of care are breached due to negligence and an infant suffers serious harm as a result, it is called obstetrical malpractice – and it can have lifelong consequences.

Common Types of Birth Injuries

Preventable birth injuries can occur at any stage of a pregnancy, during labour/delivery, or in the period immediately following birth. Negligence or incompetence on the part of a medical practitioner can either cause or contribute to these injuries if they:

Fail to administer standard screenings and tests
Provide improper analysis or evaluations of results
Misdiagnose or delay diagnosis of a medical condition
Improperly manage maternal health
Fail to appropriately respond to changing conditions during high-risk or low-risk pregnancies
Employ substandard technique or inappropriate force during delivery
Inadequately monitor a patient following birth

Common preventable birth injuries include:

Brain damage and cerebral palsy from untreated infection, placental insufficiency or asphyxia, hypoxia or anoxia
Nerve or soft tissue damage from forced extractions, misdiagnosed or undiagnosed spina bifida,or brachial plexus injuries (shoulder dystocia)
Kernicterus (severe, untreated jaundice) in the post-partum period that leads to neurotoxicity

We Can Help When Your Loved One Has Been Hurt

The feelings of joy that should be associated with birth can quickly turn to sadness, grief and anger when you learn a loved one has been hurt by a medical provider’s negligence or incompetence. Discovering the extensive costs of ongoing care and calculating the emotional and financial toll of your pain, suffering and losses can be overwhelmingly.

You should know that you are not alone. Howie, Sacks and Henry’s birth injury lawyers are able to help you in Peterborough if you or a loved one has suffered from obstetrical malpractice. Our knowledgeable and experienced team of personal injury lawyers has been recognized as one of the country’s top firm. We have developed the skill and expertise to handle even the most complex cases in the challenging area of law.

An HSH birth injury lawyer can arrange to meet with you in your own home in the Peterborough area or at a nearby consultation office. We believe distance or the ability to travel should never prevent you from accessing high quality legal representation. As we listen to your birth story, we’ll offer advice, facilitate any testing, evaluations or therapies you or your loved ones will need, and demonstrate our staunch support for you during this difficult time.

Our reputation for client-centred service will give you confidence that with an HSH birth injury lawyer, you will have a dedicated and trusted advocate who is focused on getting you the financial resources you need for rehabilitation, recovery and rebuilding your life. With compassion, respect and kindness, we will always put your best interests first in this process.

With an HSH birth injury lawyer on your side and by your side in Peterborough, together we can work to give you hope that better days are ahead.