The Injury Lawyer Directory Blog

The birth of a child is one of the most memorable times in a mother's life. For many women, though, this beautiful moment is marred by a birth injury. A new study by the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality shows that many birth injuries suffered by both newborns and mothers could be avoided.

The study, which analyzed data from a 2006 study, concluded that over 150,000 of the birth injuries suffered that year could have been avoided. This means that many of these birth injuries are the result of a medical professional's negligence.

In addition to looking into the number of avoidable birth injuries, the study investigated where the birth injuries happened. According to the study, the chances for a mother or newborn to suffer a birth injury was 44% higher in low income communities. Also, babies had a higher rate of injury if they were covered by Medicaid than if they were covered by a private insurance company.

If you or your baby was injured during childbirth, you may be able to recover compensation for the injuries. It is important to consult an experienced birth injury lawyer to find out if you have a valid claim.

If you have a birth injury claim in the New York City area, please contact the New York medical malpractice lawyers at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. today to schedule a consultation.

Recently, an Italian family flew to the United States in hopes that they could receive treatment for their young son, Francesco. Their hometown raised over $100,000 to send Francesco and his family overseas to receive treatment for cerebral palsy, a birth injury that has prevented him from walking and talking properly.

Francesco traveled to South Florida so that he can receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy. During the session, Francesco's grandmother lay in the hyperbaric chamber holding him so that he would feel safe. While they were in the chamber, there was an explosion and flash fire that burned both Francesco and his grandmother. Francesco suffered severe burn injuries over 90% of his body, and his grandmother died in the accident.

Doctors are currently uncertain whether Francesco will survive the accident. He is still in critical condition.

This is the first time there has been a fatal hyperbaric chamber explosion in the United States. Investigators are looking into the cause of the accident.

It is important to consult an experienced wrongful death attorney if you have a loved one who has died due to the negligence of another. You may be entitled to receive compensation for your damages.

If you have a wrongful death claim in the West Palm Beach, Florida area, please contact the Law Offices of Craig Goldenfarb, P.A. today to schedule a consultation.

The mother of two children born a year apart alleges that Queens Hospital Center in New York City is responsible for each of them having a paralyzed arm. According to mother Annemarie Dhana, the doctors "yanked" both infants out of the womb in 2006 and in 2007 resulting in both children being diagnosed with Erb's palsy. Dhana has filed a suit accusing the hospital and its parent corporation, New York City Health and Hospitals, of negligence and malpractice at childbirth.

In papers filed in the suit, it is alleged this causes damaged nerves controlling their arm and hand. Both children, now one- and two-years-old, are still in physical therapy. Dhana also alleges in the suit that doctors were aware she had gestational diabetes, which occurs only during pregnancy. Diabetes is one of the risk factors for Erb's palsy. Dhana further claims that her care was mishandled from the prenatal stage all the way through the birth of her second child. She believes the injuries would have been avoided through a C-section or other preventative measures.

Dhana has also had to request that a judge extend a deadline for filing the suit. She missed the one year deadline for filing after her first son was born. Dhana claims this is because as a new mother, she has been burdened with trying to care for her injured children. Not only was the lawsuit not on her mind, but she was also concerned it would affect the quality of her children's care if she filed.

It should go without saying that new parents of children born with Erb's palsy are wrapped up in caring for them, and shouldn't be spending time worrying about lawsuits. That is why it is in your best interest to contact an attorney with experience in these types of cases.

If you are in the Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Nassau County or Suffolk County, New York area, and have a child who has Erb's palsy, please contact the Erb's palsy attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C.

Infants born with congenital anomalies, such as microtia, an ear deformity, and cleft palate, may have gotten them due to exposure to mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). According to the FDA, MMF is the active drug in CellCept, manufactured by Roche Pharmaceuticals, and part of the chemical makeup of metabolite mycophenolic acid (MPA) in Myfortic, manufactured by Novartis Pharmaceuticals. Both CellCept and Myfortic are immunosuppressants. Links have also been made between MMF and MPA, and spontaneous abortion in the first trimester.

Expectant mothers were taking these drugs as part of their treatment following organ transplant, lupus, and erythema multiforme, a type of skin disorder caused by an allergic reaction. It has been noted that treatment for these conditions began before the women became pregnant, but continued into the first trimester.

Labeling of both MMF and MPA was revised in November 2007, showing the Pregnancy Category as "D." This rating means that there is "positive evidence of human fetal risk, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite the potential risk." The FDA is currently working with the manufacturers of these drugs to reduce fetal exposure and lowering risks.

Notes for Women from the FDA

If you have a child born with birth defects or have miscarried, and you believe the cause was MMF or MPA, please contact an experienced injury lawyer in your area to see if you have a claim.