Birth Injury Lawyer Prince George

Servicing Prince George and all of British Columbia

The placenta is literally the lifeline between a pregnant woman and her fetus. It provides essential oxygen, nutrients and blood flow to the fetus and removes waste. As the fetus grows, so too does the placenta.

Sometimes, however, there’s a problem with this lifeline. If the placenta is damaged or fails to grow and increased blood flow, the fetus may be deprived of what it needs to survive and thrive. Placental insufficiency can result in signs of fetal distress such as fetal tachycardia (an abnormally high heart rate) that help to alert medical providers of the danger the fetus is encountering.

When a medical practitioner who assisting with a pregnancy or delivery fails to adequately monitor fetal health or take appropriate action based on warning signs, it can lead to significant birth injuries. Placental insufficiency may contribute to fetal growth retardation, fetal distress, brain damage (including Cerebral Palsy) and stillbirth.

If standards of care are breached due to negligence and a baby or mother sustains serious harm, it’s called obstetrical malpractice. Sadly, errors made in a matter of moments can bring a lifetime of pain, suffering and loss.

Other Common Birth Injuries

Preventable birth injuries that can occur at any stage of pregnancy and in the period immediately following birth. Common types of birth injuries include:

Brachial plexus injuries – Frequently caused by complications related to shoulder dystocia (when the baby’s head is delivered but its shoulders are stuck behind a mother’s pelvic), brachial plexus injuries can occur when the nerve network between the neck and shoulders sustains stretching or tears. It can cause Erb’s Palsy and Klumpke’s Palsy.
Brain Damage/Cerebral Palsy – Perinatal asphyxia, hypoxia or anoxia (oxygen deprivation or absence) from placental insufficiency, maternal or in utero infection, kernicterus (severe and untreated jaundice post-birth), certain maternal medications, or traumatic births can cause significant brain damage to a fetus or infant. For example, brain damage that results in a condition like cerebral palsy may affect reflexes, coordination, balance, muscle control, vision, hearing, and the ability to communicate.
Spinal cord injuries – Trauma from forced extractions during delivery, fetal illness, or undiagnosed or misdiagnosed spina bifida may cause can all cause spinal cord damage that results in paralysis, loss of sensation, pain, abnormal reflexes and spasms.
Broken bones and scarring – Fractures and soft tissue damage that causes permanent and disfiguring scarring may occur during a forced extraction, traumatic birth, or through negligent use of medical instruments.

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

If you or a loved one has sustained a serious birth injury, you may be overwhelmed by grief, anger, sadness, and confusion. When you’re in need of legal help following this kind of tragic accident, the birth injury lawyers at Howie, Sacks and Henry are ready to work for you in Prince George.

If you or a loved one has sustained a birth injury, you know how quickly the joy that should accompany a birth can turn to sorrow. Learning that obstetrical malpractice caused or contributed to such an injury can be especially devastating. In only a few moments, a medical provider’s negligent action or inaction can forever change the course of life.

Howie, Sacks and Henry’s birth injury lawyers are ready to help you in Prince George if obstetrical malpractice hurt you or someone you love. Recognized by our legal peers as one of Canada’s top personal injury firms, HSH has the experience, expertise and understanding to help our clients navigate this challenging area of law during one of the most difficult times in their lives.

Our team has developed a strong reputation for the compassion, care, and respect we bring to all of our client interactions. We understand the legal process can feel overwhelming and do our utmost to ensure we keep you informed, answers your questions, and reassure you if you’re concerned.

An HSH birth injury lawyer will be pleased to meet with you in your own home in the Prince George area or at a nearby consultation office. Distance or your ability to travel should never be a barrier to accessing high quality legal representation. As you meet us, you’ll see how we can become a trusted member of your support team. We will help to facilitate testing, assessments and rehabilitative therapies to support both your case and your loved one’s recovery.

With an HSH birth injury lawyer on your side and by your side in Prince George, you can be confident that you’ll have a staunch advocate working with you to access the financial resources you or your loved one needs in the face of a tragic injury. While nothing can take away the pain and suffering you’ve experienced, an HSH birth injury lawyer will advocate for you, ensure your best interests are always top of mind, and assist you on this journey to attain a good quality of life and hope for better days ahead.