The Hazleton birth injury lawyers at Munley Law have been fighting for the rights of injury victims since 1959. With more than 250 years of combined experience and multiple board-certified attorneys on staff, Munley Law has handled all types of birth injury cases that were the result of negligence by a medical professional.
Our Hazleton birth injury attorneys know that the entire family suffers when a child sustains a birth injury. We also know that no amount of money will ever alleviate that pain. However, holding responsible parties accountable and ensuring you can afford the care your child needs can alleviate some of the stress. That’s why our birth injury lawyers are here to take on the hospital and insurance corporations. We’ll fight for the funds your child needs while you focus on your baby’s care and healing. We are so confident in our ability to fight for your family that we won’t charge you a penny if we don’t win.
To learn more about what it means to have a Hazleton personal injury lawyer from Munley Law in your corner, schedule a FREE consultation today.
What Is a Birth Injury and How Can It Affect Your Child?
A birth injury is harm a baby suffers during labor, delivery, or shortly after birth. These injuries are different from birth defects, which develop during pregnancy and are often caused by genetic or environmental factors rather than medical care.
Not every birth injury is preventable. Sometimes, complications occur even when providers act appropriately. However, when doctors or nurses fail to monitor the baby, respond to distress, or follow accepted medical standards, those mistakes can lead to serious and lasting injuries. Nationally, birth injuries are often linked to problems during labor and delivery, not unavoidable conditions.
The impact can range from temporary injuries that heal over time to permanent conditions requiring lifelong care. When negligence is involved, the law allows families to seek compensation to help cover medical needs, therapies, and long-term support.
Common Birth Injuries We Help Families in Hazleton Recover From
Birth injuries can affect many aspects of a child’s development and quality of life. Our personal injury attorneys help families in Hazleton and across Luzerne County pursue claims involving:
- Cerebral palsy – Often caused by oxygen deprivation or trauma during delivery, affecting movement and muscle control.
- Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) – A serious brain injury linked to a lack of oxygen before or during birth.
- Erb’s palsy and brachial plexus injuries – Nerve damage that can limit arm and shoulder movement.
- Fractures – Broken bones that may occur during difficult or improperly managed deliveries.
- Spinal cord injuries – Rare but severe injuries that can result in permanent disability.
- Facial paralysis – Nerve damage that may affect feeding, speech, and facial movement.
These injuries may occur in hospitals and birthing facilities serving the Hazleton area, and their effects often extend far beyond the delivery room.
Contact a Munley Law Personal Injury Attorney
Call Us At 844-686-5397 What Causes Birth Injuries During Labor and Delivery in Hazleton?
Many birth injury cases involve situations where proper care could have prevented harm. Common causes include:
Failure to Monitor Mother and Baby
Medical teams should closely track fetal heart rate, oxygen levels, and maternal vital signs. Warning signs of distress must be recognized and addressed promptly.
Delayed or Improper Response to Complications
When labor stalls or the baby shows signs of distress, providers must act quickly. Delays in ordering a C-section or escalating care can lead to serious injuries.
Improper Use of Forceps or Vacuum Devices
These tools require skill and judgment. Incorrect use can cause nerve damage, fractures, or head injuries.
Medication Errors
Incorrect dosages or failure to manage labor-inducing drugs safely can put both mother and baby at risk.
Untreated Maternal Infections
Infections that go undiagnosed or untreated can lead to serious complications for newborns.
If you think you experienced any of these situations during pregnancy or labor and your child suffered an injury, we invite you to discuss it further during a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Hazleton medical malpractice lawyers.
“At Munley Law, our mission is simple: to provide all injury victims equal access to justice, even against the most powerful entities. For more than 65 years, we have been the voice for the injured, the forgotten, and those who need someone to stand beside them in their darkest hour.”
Marion Munley
How We Prove Medical Negligence in Hazleton Birth Injury Cases
Every medical provider owes patients a duty of care—the obligation to provide treatment that meets accepted medical standards. A birth injury claim shows that:
- A standard of care existed
- That standard was breached
- The breach caused your child’s injury
- Your family suffered damages as a result
We investigate medical records, consult qualified medical experts, and carefully examine what should have happened versus what went wrong. Expert insight is essential to explain how negligence caused harm and why that proof matters when seeking compensation.
Pennsylvania law, including the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (MCARE) Act, sets the framework for medical malpractice claims and standards of care. Claims must also be supported by a professional certification confirming that negligence is reasonably believed to have occurred.
How Long Do You Have to File a Birth Injury Claim in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, medical malpractice claims are generally subject to a two-year statute of limitations under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524. However, when the injured person is a minor, the law allows extra time. Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5533(b), the statute of limitations is typically paused until the child turns 18.
Parents may still file a claim on behalf of their child before that time, and doing so early can make a meaningful difference. Medical records, witness recollections, and expert evaluations are often easier to obtain sooner rather than later.
Why Choose Our Hazleton Birth Injury Attorneys?
The Hazleton birth injury lawyer you choose to represent your family makes all the difference. Time and time again, our clients choose Munley Law because experience and credibility matter in medical malpractice cases. With nearly 70 years of service to Pennsylvania families, our attorneys understand how to protect families facing powerful hospitals and insurance companies.
Our board-certified trial attorneys have earned leadership recognition in medical malpractice law and secured multimillion-dollar recoveries for injured clients. We have consistently been named to the Best Lawyers in America, Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, and Best Law Firms. These credentials are not about awards; they are about having the strength, resources, and knowledge to advocate effectively for your child.
What Compensation Can You Recover for a Birth Injury in Hazleton?
Birth injuries can come with a lifetime of unfair costs. A successful birth injury claim can help families recover compensation for:
- Current and future medical care
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Adaptive equipment and home modifications
- Lost income and long-term caregiving costs
- Pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life
For many Luzerne County families, compensation also supports long-term care planning, coordination with specialists, and travel to pediatric experts not available locally.
Speak To a Personal Injury Lawyer
Frequently Asked Questions About Birth Injury Lawsuits in Hazleton
When Should I Contact a Hazleton Birth Injury Lawyer?
You can reach out as soon as you have concerns about your child’s injury. Early conversations help preserve records and give you clarity about your options. There is no obligation to move forward.
How Can I Tell if My Child’s Injury was Caused by Negligence?
Medical records and expert review are often needed to determine this. Signs may include delayed responses, lack of monitoring, or unexpected complications during delivery. A Hazleton injury lawyer at Munley Law can help evaluate these factors.
What’s the Difference Between a Birth Injury and a Birth Defect?
A birth injury happens during labor or delivery, often due to medical care. A birth defect develops during pregnancy and can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, medication, or medical errors. A birth injury lawyer will review medical records to determine the cause of your child’s injury or condition.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Hazleton Birth Injury Attorney?
At Munley Law, there is no upfront cost. You pay nothing unless compensation is recovered, and consultations are free.
Our Hazleton Birth Injury Lawyer is Here to Help
At Munley Law, we are proud to be a family-owned firm with deep roots in northeastern Pennsylvania. For 65 years, our Hazleton birth injury lawyers have stood by parents who are battling their worst fears imaginable. Munley Law’s promise is simple: we treat our clients as part of our own family.
If your child suffered a birth injury in Hazleton, PA, contact Munley Law today to schedule a free consultation.
Marion Munley
Marion Munley has been practicing personal injury law for nearly 40 years. She is triple board-certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy for Truck Accident Law, Civil Trial Law, and Civil Practice Advocacy. She currently serves as Vice President of the American Association for Justice, an organization dedicated to safeguarding victims’ rights. Marion has won many multimillion-dollar recoveries for her clients, including one of the largest trucking accident settlements in history. She has been named a Top 10 Super Lawyer in Pennsylvania since 2023, a Best Lawyer in America, and was recently inducted to the Lawdragon Hall of Fame.
Reviewed by Bernadine Munley, Esq., Personal Injury Attorney at Munley Law, on January 21, 2026.
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys
197 N Cedar St.
Hazleton, PA 18201
(570) 536-9498
