The High Cost of Birth Injuries
Every parent wants their child to be born healthy and free from harm. Unfortunately, birth injuries happen all too often, and the financial burden of these injuries can be devastating. If your child has been injured at birth, it’s important to know that you have options. You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our team of experienced attorneys is here to answer your questions about the cost of a birth injury and whether you can receive compensation.
Birth injuries: a financial burden
Birth injuries can have a devastating financial impact on families. The medical costs associated with birth injuries can be high, and may include:
- Hospital stays
- Surgeries
- Medications
- Rehabilitation
- Long-term medical care, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and special education
- Adaptive equipment, such as wheelchairs, braces, and communication devices
- Home modifications, such as ramps, widened doorways, and accessible bathrooms
- Transportation, such as modified vehicles or wheelchair-accessible vans
In addition to medical expenses, families of children with birth injuries may also face lost wages. A parent may need to take time off from work to care for their child, which can lead to a significant loss of income.
The financial burden of birth injuries can be overwhelming. Families may struggle to pay for medical care, housing, and other basic necessities. They may even be forced to go into debt or declare bankruptcy.
If your child has been injured at birth, it is important to know that you have options. You may be entitled to compensation to provide for medical expenses and other costs associated with your child’s birth injury.
Compensation for medical expenses
Many birth injuries result in lifelong disabilities and require extensive medical care. The cost of medical care for children with birth injuries is often more than the average person can afford. When you sue for compensation for a birth injury, you may receive funds to cover the following:
- Past, current, and future medical expenses.
- Transportation expenses related to medical costs, including the cost of reaching medical appointments in specialized facilities.
- Specialized equipment, including accessible transportation and mobility equipment.
The amount of compensation you can receive for medical expenses will vary depending on the severity of the birth injury and the specific circumstances of the case. An experienced birth injury attorney can help families navigate the legal process and maximize the compensation they receive for their child’s medical expenses, making sure that any and all costs are covered.
Loss of future earnings
Another significant financial consequence of birth injuries is a loss of future earnings for the child. A birth injury can severely impact a child’s future earning potential, leading to financial difficulties and a diminished quality of life. Here are some ways in which birth injuries can result in a loss of future earnings:
● Permanent disability: Birth injuries can cause permanent disabilities that limit a child’s ability to work and earn a living. For example, cerebral palsy, which can often occur after a birth injury, can lead to both physical and intellectual disabilities that can impair someone’s ability to gain long-term employment.
● Reduced earning potential: While employment law in the U.S. generally protects people with disabilities from employment discrimination, a physical or intellectual disability or impairment may still restrict the kinds of work they have access to. For example, a child who has difficulty learning may not be able to complete high school or college, which can limit their job opportunities. Other jobs have physical requirements that someone with a physical disability or impairment may not be able to perform.
● Need for long-term care: Children with birth injuries may require long-term care, which can be expensive and time-consuming and may limit the places they can work and the activities they can perform in their jobs.
● Physical pain: Birth injuries can cause children to experience pain, which can impact their ability to concentrate and learn. This can lead to academic difficulties and reduced earning potential.
● Loss of potential for career advancement: Birth injuries can also lead to loss of potential for career advancement. For example, a child who has a speech impediment may be unable to get a job that requires public speaking.
The financial impact of birth injuries can be devastating for their victims. The loss of future earnings can make it difficult to pay for medical care, housing, and other basic necessities. It can also lead to financial stress and anxiety, which can take a toll on the entire family.
In a birth injury case, your attorney will work with medical and economic experts to assess the full financial impact of a birth injury, including the long-term impact on their ability to work.
Pain and suffering
While the pain and suffering involved in a birth injury can be substantial and have a long-lasting impact on the family’s mental health and comfort, it is important to recognize that many states have significant caps on pain and suffering damages that can be awarded in a trial verdict. While some compensation for the mental toll on the victim of a birth injury and their family may be available, a successful suit will primarily focus on measurable expenses – such as medical expenses and cost of living expenses.
In some cases, parents may experience guilt, grief, and stress because of their child’s birth injury. While a lawsuit may not be able to provide financial compensation for these issues, pursuing justice for your child can help you get closure. The in-depth investigations associated with a birth injury lawsuit will often reveal the truth behind the injury, which can help parents come to terms with what happened. A good attorney will keep you in the loop every step of the way so that your birth injury lawsuit can get you closure as well as compensation.
Schedule a free consultation today
If a birth injury has impacted your family, a free legal consultation can get you answers and set you on the path to justice and compensation.
Our team of experienced attorneys, researchers, and medical experts are ready to help you get the compensation you deserve. We have successfully secured over $500,000,000 for our clients. We will fight for your rights and make sure that you are not left to manage the cost of your child’s birth injury alone.
We never charge for our consultations and only charge a legal fee if we secure your compensation, either through a trial or settlement. If you are interested in scheduling a conversation, contact us or call 612-473-0905.