Philadelphia Infant Wrongful Death Lawyer
There is nothing more tragic and world-ending for parents than the death of an infant. If your child died during childbirth, was born as a stillborn baby, or passed away in the weeks after delivery and you believe that a doctor or hospital made an error, you may wish to file a wrongful death claim. Our Philadelphia infant wrongful death lawyer at The Villari Firm, PLLC can help you find the answers you are looking for.
Misdiagnosis and Delayed Treatment
An umbilical cord can asphyxiate an infant in a matter of minutes, while a misdiagnosed congenital heart defect can lead to cardiac arrest during delivery. Doctors are required to continually monitor a baby’s condition well before, during, and after childbirth. Misdiagnosing or delayed reaction—particularly when it comes to infections—is grounds for a wrongful death claim if the doctor breached the standard of care. An attorney will be able to analyze your infant’s medical records to determine if this standard of care was or was not breached.
Improper Use of Instruments
Delivery instruments like vacuums, traction, and forceps are used during difficult deliveries and emergency situations, such as when the baby is breech or in fetal distress. However, these instruments also pose a danger in and of themselves when used incorrectly or too forcefully. Infants’ skulls are not fully formed, making them particularly susceptible to brain trauma. Similarly, an overly forceful application of forceps can cause spinal cord damage, which is also a potentially fatal condition.
Wrongful Death After Delivery
Neonatal deaths (a death of an infant in the 28 days after delivery) happen in hospitals when the child is not given sufficient care, his or her medical providers fail to diagnose an injury or illness, or when treatment is delayed or insufficient to treat the condition. Nearly half of all infant deaths occur during this time period, and hospitals can be held accountable even if the death occurred outside of its walls in your home.
Stillborn Infants
Wrongful death claims are typically reserved for infants who are born alive and die later. Wrongful death claims usually do not apply to stillborns, as they are presumed to have died due to natural causes, not negligence. However, there are certainly exceptions, and a skilled wrongful death attorney can help you prove fault if, indeed, your child died because of a medical practitioner’s error.
Contact a Philadelphia Infant Wrongful Death Lawyer Today
No parent should be forced to endure the death of a child, especially before that child has truly had a chance at life. One of our Philadelphia infant wrongful death lawyers can help you seek justice by filing a medical malpractice claim for wrongful death. While no amount of compensation can undo the damage that was done to your family, compensation from a medical malpractice claim can help pay for the medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and loss of joy of life that you have endured. The Villari Firm is here to provide whatever assistance we can during these dark days. Contact us today at 215-372-8889 to schedule a free consultation.
