Who is responsible for my child’s birth injury?

Welcoming a new child is supposed to be a joyous occasion. Unfortunately for some families, this period of time is marked by a profound sense of wrongdoing. A child who is born with a preventable birth injury may face a lifetime of unnecessary medical challenges. Getting the right help to address these challenges is often a priority for parents in Delaware, which often involves holding the negligent parties responsible.

Negligent hospitals

Hospitals employ a wide range of staff who are charged with caring for patients. It is a hospital’s responsibility to hire medical staff who are competent. If a hospital fails to reasonably look into an applicant’s licensing, training and education during the hiring process, and that person later goes on to harm a patient, the hospital could be held responsible for the resulting injury. A hospital might also be held responsible if the facility:

• Was insufficiently staffed
• Failed to maintain accurate medical records
• Improperly admitted or discharged patients

Other negligent parties

The attending medical doctor in charge of a woman’s birth can often be held responsible for a birth injury. However, medical doctors are not the only ones in attendance during labor. Other negligent parties might include nurses and anesthesiologists.

No two birth injuries are alike, but victims frequently require similar care. This may include regular visits to the doctor, physical therapy, medication and specialized medical equipment. The costs associated with a birth injury can add up quickly, which is why some Delaware parents choose to seek compensation through a medical malpractice claim.