Rio Rancho Birth Injury Lawyer

Q: Are high-risk pregnancies more likely to involve birth complications?

Certain medical conditions and pregnancy-related factors can increase the likelihood of complications before or during childbirth. Examples may include high blood pressure, diabetes, multiple gestation pregnancies, premature labor, and certain fetal conditions. While a high-risk pregnancy does not necessarily result in a birth injury, healthcare providers are generally expected to monitor known risks and respond appropriately to complications as they arise.

Q: Can a birth injury claim be filed on behalf of a child?

Yes. Because infants and young children cannot pursue legal claims on their own, a parent or legal guardian typically brings a birth injury claim on the child's behalf. Depending on the circumstances, a claim may seek compensation for medical expenses, future care needs, and other damages permitted under applicable law.

Q: What medical records are important in a birth injury case?

Important records in a birth injury case may include prenatal care records, fetal monitoring strips, labor and delivery notes, operative reports, neonatal treatment records, diagnostic imaging, and other relevant medical documentation. These records can help medical experts evaluate how complications were managed and whether the care provided met the applicable standard of care.

Q: What should parents do if they suspect a birth injury?

Parents who suspect a birth injury may benefit from preserving medical records, discharge summaries, imaging studies, and other documents related to the pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the child's treatment. Keeping records of diagnoses, therapies, and ongoing medical needs can also be helpful in understanding the child's condition and documenting the impact of the injury.

Table of Contents

Experienced Birth Injury Attorney in Rio Rancho

A birth injury can leave parents searching for answers during what should have been a joyful time for their family. A Rio Rancho birth injury lawyer works with families whose child was hurt during pregnancy, labor and delivery, or neonatal care. Birth injuries can cause permanent medical needs, developmental issues, and financial challenges for families.

If you have concerns about how your child’s medical team treated you or your child, you may want to know more about what happened and whether preventable medical errors led to your child’s injury. Branch Law Firm can help families investigate birth injury claims and explore their legal options.

Hire a Birth Injury Lawyer

Since 1966, Branch Law Firm has advocated for people harmed by negligence and other wrongful conduct. The firm has experience handling medical malpractice claims involving injuries that occur during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and newborn care.

Birth injury cases frequently involve complex medical questions and the need for extensive professional review. Branch Law Firm is committed to helping families seek answers when preventable medical mistakes affect a child’s health, development, and future.

Birth Injuries

A birth injury is a type of physical trauma to a baby that occurs before, during, or shortly after the birth process. A birth injury may impact a baby’s brain, nerves, bones, and muscles, among other parts of the body.

Birth injuries include conditions such as brachial plexus injuries, fractures, oxygen-deprivation injuries, and other injuries and conditions that can occur during labor and delivery. According to the CDC, approximately 1 in 33 babies in the United States is born with a birth defect each year.

Although birth defects differ from birth injuries, the statistic highlights the importance of monitoring maternal and infant health throughout pregnancy and delivery. While not all birth injuries are due to medical negligence, certain situations may raise questions about the care provided.

Common Causes of Birth Injuries During Labor and Delivery

Birth injuries can happen for any number of reasons during labor and delivery. There are several circumstances that may contribute to birth complications, including prolonged labor, fetal distress, umbilical cord problems, shoulder dystocia, placental issues, or fetal positioning difficulties.

In other instances, concerns could be raised about C-sections that weren’t performed quickly enough, improper handling of forceps or vacuum devices, or insufficient attention paid to the mother’s and baby’s well-being.

According to CDC birth data, 32.3% of deliveries in the US in 2023 were C-sections, so providers often must make many delivery-related decisions during labor. Identifying the cause of a birth injury will often involve a detailed review of the medical records.

How Birth Injury Claims Are Investigated

The investigation of a birth injury claim may also involve the collection and review of all the pertinent medical evidence, including prenatal care records, labor and delivery records, fetal monitoring strips, imaging studies, records of neonatal treatment, and any other healthcare records related to the child’s condition.

The birth injury lawyer may also consult with medical professionals to determine whether healthcare providers acted in accordance with the accepted standard of care under the circumstances and whether they appropriately managed complications or whether alternative actions could have prevented or lessened the injury. This process can help families understand the many factors that may have contributed to the child’s condition and potential legal issues.

Liability in a Birth Injury

Determining liability in a birth injury case depends on the facts of each situation related to the medical care provided to the mother and child. Potentially responsible parties may include obstetricians, nurses, hospitals, medical practice groups, or other health care professionals who may have participated in the pregnancy, labor, and delivery process or provided care to the newborn.

In the Rio Rancho area, records from facilities that provide obstetrical services, such as UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center, may become part of an investigation when questions arise regarding prenatal care, labor management, delivery, or newborn treatment.

A birth injury claim may also be impacted by certain provisions of the New Mexico Medical Malpractice Act, which set forth certain rules and procedures to be followed in claims against qualified healthcare providers.

FAQs

Are High-Risk Pregnancies More Likely to Involve Birth Complications?

Certain medical conditions or other situations present during pregnancy can increase the risk of medical complications before or during birth. High blood pressure, diabetes, multiple pregnancies, early labor, and certain fetal conditions may also require more frequent monitoring and intervention during pregnancy. A pregnancy may be considered high risk without necessarily resulting in a birth injury. Nevertheless, healthcare professionals are generally expected to monitor identified risks and respond appropriately to complications that arise.

Can a Birth Injury Claim Be Filed on Behalf of a Child?

A birth injury claim is typically brought on the child’s behalf because newborns and infants are unable to bring their own claims. In many cases, a parent or legal guardian will represent the child’s interests throughout the entire legal process. Claims may seek recovery for medical expenses, future care needs, and other legally recoverable damages, depending on the circumstances. Your rights and the relevant procedures may vary under New Mexico law.

What Medical Records Are Important in a Birth Injury Case?

Birth injury cases often require thorough analysis of medical records that were created before, during, and after delivery. Key records may include prenatal care, fetal monitoring strips, labor and delivery notes, operative reports, records of neonatal treatment, and diagnostic test results. These records can assist medical professionals in assessing how complications were managed and whether healthcare providers adhered to acceptable standards of care. A comprehensive record review is typically a critical step in the investigation of a potential claim.

What Should Parents Do If They Suspect a Birth Injury?

If parents have concerns about birth injury, they should consider holding onto copies of medical files, discharge notes, imaging scans, and any other documents on pregnancy and delivery. Parents may also find it helpful to keep track of the child’s diagnoses, treatment, and continuing medical needs. Gathering this information early can help families to better understand what happened and to preserve evidence in case questions arise later about the care that was given.

Rio Rancho Birth Injury Lawyer

Birth injuries can create lasting challenges for children and their families. Branch Law Firm helps families investigate potential medical negligence, understand their legal rights, and pursue accountability when evidence indicates that preventable medical mistakes contributed to harm. Schedule a consultation today to hire a birth injury lawyer.