Grand Rapids Birth Injury Lawyer

Why Choose the Grand Rapids Birth Injury Lawyers at Goodman Acker PC

When it comes to pursuing a birth injury claim, you need a legal team that has the knowledge, resources, and dedication to fight for your rights and secure the compensation you deserve. 

The birth injury lawyers at Goodman Acker PC in Grand Rapids, Michigan, have a proven track record of success in handling these types of complex birth injury cases.

Here’s why you should choose Goodman Acker PC as your birth injury legal team:

• Extensive Experience: Our lawyers have decades of experience in handling birth injury cases, giving us a deep understanding of the legal complexities and the strategies needed to build a strong case.
• Personalized Attention: We understand that every birth injury case is unique, and we take the time to listen to your story, understand your needs, and develop a tailored legal strategy to achieve the best possible outcome.
• Commitment to Justice: We are passionate about holding medical professionals accountable for their negligence and ensuring that families affected by birth injuries receive the justice and compensation they deserve.
• Tools and Resources: Our legal team has access to a network of medical experts, investigators, and other resources that we can leverage to build a compelling case on your behalf.
• No Upfront Costs: We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you won’t owe us anything unless we secure a successful settlement or verdict for your birth injury claim.
• Dedication to Client Communication: We understand the emotional and financial toll of a birth injury, and we are committed to keeping you informed every step of the way, answering your questions, and providing the support you need.

The Tragic Nature of Birth Injuries Caused by Negligence

Birth injuries caused by medical negligence or malpractice are particularly tragic because they are often preventable. 

When healthcare providers fail to uphold the standard of care, they put the lives and well-being of mothers and newborns at risk. These types of injuries can have a profound and long-lasting impact on the child’s development, quality of life, and the family’s emotional and financial well-being.

The consequences of a birth injury can be devastating, ranging from physical disabilities and developmental delays to lifelong medical care and complex educational needs. 

Families may face an overwhelming burden of medical expenses, lost wages, and the emotional toll of caring for a child with a permanent disability. In the most tragic cases, a birth injury can even result in the death of the child or the mother.

When medical professionals are negligent and their actions or inactions lead to a birth injury, it is crucial to hold them accountable. By pursuing a birth injury claim, you can not only seek the compensation you need to provide for your child’s care but also send a strong message that such negligence will not be tolerated.

What Constitutes a Birth Injury?

A birth injury includes any physical or psychological harm to a newborn that occurs during pregnancy, labor, or delivery, including:

• Medical Malpractice: This can include errors in diagnosis, improper use of birth-assisting tools, failure to monitor the mother and child, or delayed response to complications during labor and delivery.
• Negligence: Healthcare providers may fail to adhere to the accepted standard of care, leading to preventable injuries.
• Birth Complications: While some birth complications are unavoidable, healthcare providers are expected to recognize and properly manage these situations to minimize the risk of harm to the mother and child.
• Congenital Disabilities: In some cases, a birth injury may be the result of a congenital disability or genetic condition that was not properly diagnosed or managed during pregnancy.

To establish a valid birth injury claim, you must demonstrate that the healthcare provider’s negligence or malpractice was the direct cause of the injury. This can be a complex process, requiring experienced birth injury lawyers like those at Goodman Acker PC.

The Legal Elements of a Birth Injury Claim

To successfully pursue a birth injury claim, you must prove:

• Duty of Care: The healthcare provider had a duty to provide a certain standard of care to the mother and child during pregnancy, labor, and delivery.
• Breach of Duty: The healthcare provider failed to uphold the accepted standard of care, resulting in a breach of their duty.
• Causation: The breach of duty directly caused the birth injury or harm to the child.
• Damages: The birth injury resulted in measurable damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and the need for ongoing care and treatment.

Navigating the legal complexities of a birth injury claim can be daunting, but the experienced birth injury lawyers at Goodman Acker PC are here to guide you through the process and ensure your rights are protected.

The Process of Filing a Birth Injury Claim

The process of filing a birth injury claim can be complex and daunting, but with the guidance of the experienced birth injury lawyers at Goodman Acker PC, you can navigate it with confidence.

Here’s a general overview of the steps involved:

• Initial Consultation: During your free initial consultation, we will listen to your story, review the details of your case, and assess the viability of your birth injury claim.
• Investigation and Evidence Gathering: Our team will thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the birth injury, gathering medical records, witness statements, and other evidence to build a strong case.
• Expert Evaluation: We will consult with medical experts who can provide an objective assessment of the birth injury and its long-term impact on your child’s health and well-being.
• Filing the Claim: Once we have a solid foundation for your case, we will file the necessary paperwork and documents to initiate the legal proceedings.
• Negotiation and Settlement: Our skilled negotiators will work tirelessly to reach a fair and just settlement with the insurance company or healthcare provider responsible for the birth injury.
• Litigation: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we can take your case to trial and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Throughout the entire process, our team will be by your side, providing guidance, support, and regular updates to ensure you feel empowered and informed every step of the way.

Compensation for Birth Injuries

The compensation available for a birth injury claim can vary depending on the severity of the injury, the long-term impact on the child’s health and development, and the resulting financial and emotional burden on the family.

Some available compensation may include:

• Medical Expenses: This can include the cost of immediate medical treatment, ongoing care, rehabilitation, and any specialized equipment or assistive devices the child may require.
• Lost Wages: If the parent or guardian needs to take time off work to care for the child, the lost income may be recoverable.
• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical and emotional distress experienced by the child and the family due to the birth injury.
• Future Lost Earnings: If the birth injury results in a permanent disability that impacts the child’s ability to earn a living in the future, this can be factored into the compensation.
• Punitive Damages: In cases involving the healthcare provider’s particularly egregious negligence, the court may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior.

The birth injury lawyers at Goodman Acker PC will work tirelessly to ensure you receive the maximum compensation available for your case, helping to secure the resources your family needs to provide the best possible care and support for your child.

Our Strategy for Gathering Evidence for Your Claim

Building a strong birth injury case requires a comprehensive approach to evidence gathering.

The team at Goodman Acker PC has developed a proven strategy to ensure we have the necessary documentation and expert testimony to support your claim:

• Comprehensive Medical Record Review: We will thoroughly review all medical records related to the pregnancy, labor, delivery, and post-birth care to identify any deviations from the standard of care.
• Expert Witness Consultation: We will consult medical experts, such as obstetricians, neonatologists, and pediatric neurologists, who can provide an objective assessment of the birth injury and its long-term implications.
• Witness Statements: We will gather statements from any healthcare providers, nurses, or other witnesses who were present during the birth and can provide valuable information about the events that led to the injury.
• Investigative Research: Our team will conduct extensive research to uncover any relevant information about the healthcare provider’s history, training, and previous malpractice or negligence claims.
• Financial Documentation: We will gather all relevant financial documentation, including medical bills, insurance records, and any evidence of lost wages or future earning potential, to ensure your claim accurately reflects the full extent of your damages.

By leaving no stone unturned in our evidence-gathering process, we can build a comprehensive and compelling case that maximizes your chances of securing the compensation you deserve.

How We Plan on Negotiating Fairly on Your Behalf

Negotiating with insurance companies and healthcare providers can be a daunting task, but the birth injury lawyers at Goodman Acker PC have the experience and negotiation skills to ensure you receive a fair settlement.

Here’s how we approach negotiations:

• Thorough Preparation: Before entering into negotiations, we will thoroughly review all the evidence we have gathered and work with our team to develop a clear and compelling case for the compensation you deserve.
• Strategic Positioning: We will carefully position your case to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the opposing party’s arguments, giving us a strong negotiating advantage.
• Persistent Advocacy: We will relentlessly advocate for your rights, refusing to back down until we have secured a settlement that adequately addresses the full extent of your damages.
• Flexibility and Creativity: While we are committed to securing the best possible outcome, we are also open to exploring creative solutions and compromises that may benefit both parties.
• Unwavering Determination: If the insurance company or healthcare provider refuses to offer a fair settlement, we are prepared to take your case to trial and fight for the justice you deserve.

Throughout the negotiation process, we will keep you informed, answer your questions, and ensure you feel empowered and supported every step of the way.

Our Legal Team Will Consult Outside Experts to Reinforce Your Claim

Building a strong birth injury case requires more than just legal experience – it also requires the input and testimony of medical professionals who can provide an objective and authoritative assessment of the injury and its long-term implications. 

That’s why the team at Goodman Acker PC works closely with a network of highly respected medical experts to reinforce our clients’ claims.

Some of the medical professionals we may consult with include:

• Obstetricians: These specialists in pregnancy, labor, and delivery can provide valuable insights into the standard of care and any deviations that may have led to the birth injury.
• Neonatologists: Experts in the care of newborns, neonatologists can help us understand the specific medical needs and long-term prognosis for a child who has suffered a birth injury.
• Pediatric Neurologists: These specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological conditions can offer crucial insights into the impact of a birth injury on the child’s brain development and overall functioning.
• Rehabilitation Specialists: Occupational therapists, physical therapists, and other rehabilitation professionals can help us quantify the ongoing care and support the child will require as a result of the birth injury.

By consulting with these and other medical experts, we can build a comprehensive and compelling case that clearly demonstrates the severity of the birth injury and the long-term impact on the child and the family. This expert testimony can be a crucial factor in securing the compensation you deserve.

We Know the Common Tricks and Arguments Used by the Insurance Company

When it comes to birth injury claims, insurance companies and healthcare providers often employ a variety of tactics to minimize their liability and avoid paying fair compensation. 

The team at Goodman Acker PC is well-versed in these common tricks and arguments, and we can counter them with our own evidence-based strategies.

Some of the tactics we frequently encounter include:

• Disputing Causation: The insurance company may try to argue that the birth injury was not directly caused by the healthcare provider’s negligence, but rather by some other unrelated factor.
• Questioning the Severity of the Injury: They may attempt to downplay the long-term impact of the birth injury and the need for ongoing care and support.
• Challenging the Credibility of Expert Witnesses: The insurance company may try to discredit the medical experts we have consulted, questioning their qualifications or impartiality.
• Delaying and Dragging Out the Process: Insurance companies may use stalling tactics to wear down families and pressure them into accepting a lower settlement.

By anticipating these tactics and preparing robust counterarguments, we can effectively navigate the negotiation process and ensure that your rights and interests are protected. The insurance company’s attempts to minimize your claim will not deter our unwavering commitment to justice.

We’re Not Afraid to Go to Trial

While we always strive to reach a fair settlement through negotiation, the birth injury lawyers at Goodman Acker PC are not afraid to take your case to trial if necessary. We understand that sometimes the only way to secure the compensation you deserve is to present your case before a judge and jury.

When we take your case to trial, you can be confident that we will bring the same dedication, experience, and strategic thinking that we apply to the negotiation process.

Our seasoned trial attorneys have a proven track record of success in the courtroom, and they will work tirelessly to ensure your voice is heard and to protect your rights.

Throughout the trial process, we will keep you informed and involved every step of the way, providing you with the support and guidance you need to navigate this challenging phase of your birth injury claim.

We understand the emotional and financial toll that a trial can take, and we will do everything possible to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Contact Our Grand Rapids Birth Injury Lawyers for Your Free Case Review

If your child has suffered a birth injury due to medical negligence, don’t hesitate to contact the experienced Grand Rapids personal injury lawyers at Goodman Acker PC in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 

We are dedicated to fighting for your rights and securing the compensation you deserve. Contact us today at (616) 333-8302 to speak to a member of our legal team.

Goodman Acker P.C. – Grand Rapids Office Location

1500 E Beltline Ave SE #235
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
(616) 333-8302

LEGALLY REVIEWED BY BARRY J. GOODMAN

Barry J. Goodman has devoted his professional life to keeping courthouse doors open for victims seeking justice. Always a tireless advocate for his own clients, Goodman sees his responsibility as a Detroit personal injury attorney in a broader sense as well. [ Attorney Bio ]