While dealing with a birth injury can be overwhelming for any family, a Reading birth injury lawyer can provide the support and legal expertise you need to seek justice and compensation. For almost seven decades, Munley Law’s award-winning attorneys have protected the rights of injured Pennsylvanians in Berks County and beyond, helping them recover more than $1 billion in damages.
Our firm has received honors from Best Law Firms every year, while Best Lawyers routinely recognizes our attorneys’ expertise. We’ve also received accolades or high ratings from Lawdragon, the National Trial Lawyers, Irish Legal 100, Super Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, and other institutions.
We understand your challenges and are dedicated to helping you navigate this difficult time. Contact our Reading personal injury attorneys today to schedule a free consultation.
What are the Common Types of Birth Injuries in Reading, PA?
A birth injury attorney serves as a powerful advocate for children who have been injured at birth, fighting to secure the compensation and care they need for a better future. The most common birth injuries we handle in Reading, PA include:
- Cerebral Palsy: Often caused by oxygen deprivation during birth, this condition affects movement and muscle coordination. According to the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation, one in 345 children in the US is diagnosed with the condition. One child is born with cerebral palsy every hour.
- Erb’s Palsy or Brachial Plexus Injuries: These injuries impact the nerves controlling the arms and hands, often resulting from shoulder dystocia during delivery. Erb’s Palsy occurs in 0.9 to 2.6 per 1,000 live births in the US, making it one of the more common birth injuries.
- Fractures: The collarbone (clavicle) is the most commonly fractured bone during birth, typically due to a difficult delivery.
- Facial Nerve Damage: This can occur from forceps or pressure on the baby’s face during birth, potentially affecting facial movement.
- Perinatal Asphyxia: Lack of oxygen during birth can lead to brain damage and other serious complications.
- Caput Succedaneum: Swelling of the baby’s scalp that can occur as the baby passes through the birth canal. According to Cleveland Clinic, there’s a 2% to 33% chance of babies developing caput succedaneum after birth.
- Cephalohematoma: Accumulation of blood under the scalp usually resolves independently but can sometimes lead to complications.
These injuries can have long-lasting effects on a child’s health and development, making prompt medical attention and proper care essential. You also shouldn’t hesitate to contact a Reading birth injury lawyer at Munley Law.
We work tirelessly to hold responsible parties accountable and ensure that affected families receive the support and maximum compensation they deserve, easing the burden during a challenging time. This includes dealing with insurance companies to ensure families receive fair compensation for their losses and expenses.
Call Us At 844-686-5397 What are the Common Causes of Birth Injuries in Reading, PA?
Birth injuries can occur due to various factors, often involving complications during the labor and delivery process. Common causes include:
- Prolonged Labor: Extended or complex labor can put stress on the baby, increasing the risk of catastrophic injuries. Whereas a typical labor lasts for 12 to 24 hours for those having their first baby, prolonged labor lasts for 25 hours or more. This condition affects around 8% of people giving birth, making it uncommon. However, it is the reason for approximately one-third of all cesarean births (C-sections).
- Oxygen Deprivation: Lack of oxygen to the baby’s brain, known as perinatal asphyxia, can lead to conditions like cerebral palsy.
- Use of Delivery Tools: Misuse of delivery instruments, such as improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors, can cause physical injuries, including fractures or nerve damage.
- Large Birth Weight: Babies with higher birth weights are at a greater risk for delivery complications, including shoulder dystocia, which can cause brachial plexus injuries.
- Premature Birth: Premature babies are more vulnerable and can suffer injuries more easily during delivery.
- Medical Negligence: Mistakes made by medical providers, such as improper monitoring, delayed C-sections, or incorrect use of medical instruments, can lead to preventable birth injuries.
- Abnormal Birth Position: Breech (feet-first) or other abnormal positions can complicate delivery and increase the likelihood of injury.
- Maternal Health Conditions: Conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure in the mother can contribute to complications during birth.
What Should You Do If Your Child Suffered a Birth Injury Due to Medical Negligence?
If you suspect your child has suffered an injury at birth due to medical negligence, there are several important steps you should take. First, seek medical services for your child to ensure they receive the necessary care and treatment. Next, gather all relevant medical records and documentation related to the birth and your child’s condition.
Consult a Reading medical malpractice attorney specializing in medical negligence cases for legal advice. Experienced attorneys can help you understand your legal options and guide you through seeking monetary compensation. An experienced birth injury lawyer in Reading can also assist in obtaining expert medical opinions to support your case.
Taking these steps can help you secure the resources and support your child’s needs for the future.
Determining Fault in a Birth Injury Case in Reading
Determining fault for a birth injury can be complex and depends on the specific circumstances of each case. In some cases, the injury may result from medical negligence, such as errors by healthcare providers during prenatal care, labor, or delivery. This could include failure to properly monitor the baby’s health, respond to complications, or perform necessary medical interventions.
However, in other cases, the injury may be due to factors beyond anyone’s control, such as genetic abnormalities or unforeseen complications during childbirth.
Identifying fault in birth injury cases in Reading typically involves a thorough investigation by medical and legal professionals to determine what happened and who is liable.
What Are the Differences Between Birth Defects and Birth Injuries in Reading?
Birth defects and birth injuries are both conditions that can affect newborns, but they have different causes and timing.
Birth defects are abnormalities present at birth that develop during pregnancy due to genetics or environmental factors. They usually occur early in pregnancy and are not caused by events during labor or delivery.
In contrast, birth injuries happen during labor and delivery due to physical trauma or medical errors. They can occur when the baby experiences complications such as oxygen deprivation or trauma from delivery tools. Unlike birth defects, birth injuries are preventable and can lead to long-term health problems requiring a lifetime of care for the child.
Parents and medical practitioners must understand these differences to provide the right care and support for newborns and their families.
What Compensation is Available in Berks County Birth Injury Cases?
In Berks County birth injury cases, you may be entitled to various types of compensation to help cover the costs associated with your child’s injury. This can include:
Medical Expenses: Compensation for past, present, and future medical bills related to the birth injury, including hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and therapy.
Lost Wages: If a parent had to take time off work to care for their injured child, they might be compensated for lost income.
Pain and Suffering: Financial compensation for the physical and emotional distress caused by the birth injury.
Long-Term Care: Coverage for ongoing care needs, such as in-home nursing or specialized educational services.
Rehabilitation Costs: Funds to support physical, occupational, and speech therapy to aid in the child’s development and recovery.
Consulting an experienced Reading medical malpractice lawyer at Munley Law can help you understand the specific compensation you may be eligible for and guide you through the legal process to ensure your child receives the support and medical care they need.
“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 Closely Do Reading Birth Injury Lawyers Work with Medical Professionals?
Our Reading personal injury lawyers work closely with medical professionals to build a strong case. They collaborate with doctors, nurses, and medical experts to review medical records, understand the details of the injury, and determine whether the standard of care was breached and medical negligence occurred. These professionals provide crucial insights and expert testimony that can explain complex medical issues to a judge or jury.
This partnership helps ensure that all aspects of the case are thoroughly examined, increasing the chances of securing fair compensation for the affected family.
How Long Do You Have to File a Reading Birth Injury Lawsuit?
In Pennsylvania, under 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524 (2), you typically have two years from the date of the injury to file a birth injury lawsuit. This is known as the statute of limitations. However, in cases involving minors, the timeline can differ, with the two-year period tolled (paused). If this happens, the countdown begins on the child’s 18th birthday, which means the statute of limitations for birth injury may extend until the child’s 20th birthday.
Despite this extended timeframe, consulting with an experienced birth injury attorney as soon as possible is important. Early action ensures that evidence is preserved and the case is thoroughly prepared, giving you the best chance for a successful outcome.
Why Choose Munley Law for Your Reading Birth Injury Lawyer?
Since 1959, Munley Law has helped parents whose children were injured during pregnancy, labor, or delivery as a result of negligence or medical malpractice to pursue justice and obtain compensation. Our acclaimed attorneys have investigated incidents, built the strongest cases possible, negotiated with insurers, and fought in court to secure multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements.
Numerous legal institutions continue to recognize our Reading birth injury lawyers’ expertise. The National Board of Trial Advocacy board certified Marion Munley, Daniel Munley, J. Christopher Munley, and John Mulcahey in Civil Trial Law and Civil Trial Advocacy. Best Lawyers named Marion Lawyer of the Year for Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury Litigation, while the National Trial Lawyers named Caroline Munley among the Top 25 Medical Malpractice Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania.
Several of our lawyers are members of exclusive, invitation-only organizations. Marion and Dan are members of the American Board of Trial Advocates, and Marion and Caroline are members of the International Society of Barristers and Litigation Counsel of America. In addition, all our attorneys are members of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the American Association for Justice, of which Marion is currently the Vice President. All our partners received AV Preeminent ratings from Martindale-Hubbell and were named to the Irish Legal 100 list and to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers list.
Our firm started as a family business, and the principles instilled in it back in 1959 continue to guide us today. At Munley Law, you’re not only a client – you’re a member of the family.
Frequently Asked Questions About Reading Birth Injury Claims
How Can a Reading Birth Injury Lawyer Help My Family?
A Reading birth injury lawyer can help your family by investigating what went wrong during your child’s birth and determining whether medical negligence played a role. Our lawyers will handle all legal aspects of the case, including gathering medical records, consulting experts, and negotiating with insurance companies. You can focus on caring for your child while we pursue the compensation you and your child deserve.
What Qualifies as Medical Negligence in a Birth Injury Case?
Medical negligence in a birth injury case occurs when a healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. This may include improper monitoring, delayed emergency procedures, or misuse of delivery tools. If this failure directly causes harm to the baby, it may lay the foundation for a birth injury claim.
Are Birth Injuries Always Apparent Immediately After Delivery?
No, birth injuries aren’t always apparent immediately after delivery. Some injuries may take weeks or months to become noticeable. Developmental delays, muscle weakness, or neurological issues may emerge as your child grows. An experienced birth injury attorney in Reading can help connect delayed symptoms to errors made by healthcare providers during birth.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Birth Injury in Reading, PA?
Various parties can be held responsible for a birth injury in Reading, PA, depending on the circumstances. Doctors, nurses, midwives, hospitals, or other medical professionals involved in the delivery may be liable. In some cases, more than one party may share responsibility. Determining fault requires expert analysis and a detailed review of medical records.
Does it Cost Anything Upfront to Speak with a Reading Birth Injury Lawyer at Munley Law?
No, it does not cost anything upfront to speak with a Reading birth injury lawyer at Munley Law. Our firm offers free, no-obligation consultations for families dealing with birth injuries. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay anything unless we recover compensation for you. This means you can seek justice without additional financial stress.
Contact a Reading Birth Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation Today
If your family is dealing with the aftermath of a birth injury, the law firm of Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys in Reading is here to help. With our decades of experience in handling birth injury cases, our legal team understands the complexities involved and the importance of seeking justice for your child. Our team is committed to providing you with the support and legal guidance you need during this challenging time.
We offer free, no-obligation consultations to discuss your birth injury claim and answer any questions you may have. Don’t hesitate to contact Munley Law today to schedule your consultation and learn how we can assist you in seeking the compensation and support your family deserves.
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.
