Few things are as devastating as a newborn being seriously injured during birth. When these accidents occur, many parents are unsure of what they can do to get their lives back to normal as quickly as possible. While you are no doubt in a state of shock, you must immediately begin taking steps to protect your child’s health and future.
Seek Out A Second Opinion
As soon as you notice any injuries or ailments, you should take your child to another pediatric doctor. Unlike most nurses and OB-GYNs, these doctors have been trained specifically to treat sick and injured kids. Once you are with the doctor, you need to start keeping records of all the tests and treatments they carry out. Getting a second opinion from an experienced doctor could be invaluable to your case if the situation evolves into a trial. You should also spend a few moments writing down everything you remember about the birth while the information is still fresh in your mind.
Contact An Attorney
Even if the hospital or birthing center offers you an immediate settlement, you must still speak with an attorney, like the professionals at Snyder & Wenner, P.C., first. It might be tempting to accept the money so that you can pay your child’s medical bills, but that will most likely be a mistake in the long run. A lawyer who has experience with birthing injuries will pour over your case to make sure that you are being treated fairly by everyone involved. You might not even be sure about the extent of the injuries, and the settlement that you have been offered by the hospital or insurance provider won’t be enough to pay for a lifetime of medical expenses.
Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help
New parents should never be afraid to ask for help from family and friends. With an injured baby, you could end up spending much of your time struggling with your emotions as you wait for answers. Your family and loved ones can help you take care of the countless tasks, chores, and errands that tend to pile up in those first few weeks after giving birth. Simple gestures such as having meals brought to you could give you the energy you need to keep pushing forward.
As a parent, you had to place your trust in the doctors and nurses who helped you bring your child into the world. When those medical professionals act negligently and it results in a serious injury, they must be held responsible for their actions. Nothing will ever erase those difficult memories, but you want to be sure that no parents ever have to go through the same heartbreaking situation.
