Jump To:
It is exciting to see your baby and child reach important milestones, such as taking that first step or saying their first word. However, some children experience preventable birth injuries or birth trauma that cause delays in his or her development.
A developmental delay is any ongoing delay in a child’s development such as walking, talking, fine motor skills, and decision making. A medical diagnosis based on specific clinical guidelines typically confirms developmental delays, according to the University of Michigan Medical Center.
If you suspect that medical error or negligence may be the cause of your child’s developmental difficulties, you deserve to know your legal rights. A developmental delays lawyer with Newsome | Melton may be able to get you the compensation that your family deserves for medical treatment, lost pay, pain and suffering, and other losses.
Call (855) 633-2757 for a free case review today.
Developmental Delays Caused by Medical Negligence
Developmental delays have different causes, including genetics. However, preventable injuries, trauma, and complications during pregnancy, delivery, and early infancy also cause developmental delays.
As medical malpractice lawyers, we have seen how developmental issues may be caused by the following birth injuries in newborns:
- Insufficient oxygen before, during, or after delivery
- Improper use of forceps or vacuum extractor
- Delayed emergency C-section
- Uterine rupture
- Neonatal or maternal infections
- Mismanagement of fetal distress and fetal development
- Failure to assess risk factors such as premature birth, multiple births, abnormal birth placement, and placental issues
- Misuse of labor-enhancing medication, such as Pitocin
These are only a few of the birth injuries that may account for developmental delays. Any breach of acceptable medical practice might be cause for proving negligence and seeking compensation.
We Recommend Consulting a Developmental Delays Lawyer
Developmental delays can be mild to severe, and they may continue throughout a child’s early years into adulthood. Children who are diagnosed with a developmental disorder typically need specialized treatment.
These treatments, including medical, educational, and vocational help, can be costly and sometimes out of reach for many families. We help you recover damages from the liable party. By taking legal action, you may also shine a light on unacceptable medical practices or an unqualified provider.
Value-Added Services From a Team of Legal and Medical Professionals
A lawyer with Newsome | Melton understands that your child’s health and well-being is your priority. It is our goal to help you recover compensation from all liable parties if we can show how medical malpractice caused your child to suffer developmental delays.
We have trained medical professionals on staff. Our lawyers may also speak with specialized subject-matter experts to fully understand the extent of your child’s developmental delays and how this affects your financial situation.
Our legal team can:
- Examine the events, timeline, and issues that happened during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and post-delivery
- Establish if your medical provider upheld acceptable medical standards of care
- Secure testimony and documentation to show a breach in this duty of care
- File a claim against the provider’s medical malpractice coverage
- Take your case to trial if the other party is unwilling to negotiate a fair settlement
To learn more about how our firm may be able to help your family recover compensation, call Newsome | Melton today: (855) 633-2757.
Establishing Medical Negligence
As developmental delay lawyers, it is our responsibility to prove if there was medical negligence that caused your child’s health issues. A medical provider rarely intends to harm a mother or her infant, but a reckless act or a failure to act can still be grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit.
To prove medical malpractice, a lawyer with Newsome | Melton may:
- Interview the labor and delivery team members
- Request your medical records, including results for the fetal heart rate monitor and any lab work
- Consult with experts on whether staff used acceptable medical practices
- Review prior complaints, lawsuits, or incidences
The bottom line for any medical malpractice insurance claim or a lawsuit is whether a healthcare provider in similar circumstances using accepted medical standards would reach the same result or outcome. If a provider could have avoided harming your child under similar conditions, Newsome | Melton will pursue compensation on your behalf.
Seeking Compensation in a Developmental Delay Case
Depending on the severity of the developmental delay, your child may need:
- Corrective surgery or medical treatment
- Physical, occupational, or speech therapy
- Full-time care in daily activities such as eating, toileting, and walking
- Special educational assistance
- Medical devices such as crutches, eyeglasses, or hearing aids
- Prescription medication
- Institutional or skilled nursing facilities
- Emotional or psychological treatment and support
We believe that a negligent healthcare provider should be held accountable for your child’s injuries and damages.
Newsome | Melton may pursue compensatory damages such as:
- Past and future medical care
- Lost wages for you and if your child will be unable to work
- Diminished quality of life
- Lifecare support
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
As a nationwide law firm, we know that each state has varying statutes of limitations when it comes to taking legal action. Please contact Newsome | Melton today to learn more. Call (855) 633-2757 for a free case review.
Developmental Guidelines for Babies and Young Children
The Mayo Clinic offers a list of developmental milestones on their website. They recommend regular check-ups with your healthcare provider to make sure that your child is on track according to age and other factors.
For example, by age two, most children should be able to:
- Speak and link at least 50 words, such as “my bed”
- Play and interact with other children
- Kick a ball
- Sort toys and objects by shape or color
To help your child reach his or her full potential, be aware of delays or difficulties that may need treatment or intervention.
Call a Developmental Delays Lawyer for a Free Case Review
Developmental delays caused by birth injuries happen more often than you think. We invite you to call Newsome | Melton for a free, no-obligation consultation to find out if your family is entitled to compensation.
Call (855) 633-2757 today.