The birth of a child should be a joyful experience, but medical mistakes can have life-changing consequences for both infants and their families. When Pennsylvania healthcare professionals fail to uphold the accepted standard of care during labor, delivery, or treatment in the neonatal intensive care unit, serious injuries may occur. The medical malpractice lawyers in Harrisburg at Marzella & Associates help families understand their legal rights and pursue compensation when negligence causes avoidable harm.
When Can a Birth Injury Lead to a Medical Malpractice Claim?
Not every birth complication is the result of negligence. However, if a doctor, nurse, hospital, or other healthcare provider failed to provide appropriate care and that failure caused an injury, the family may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim. Examples of negligence that may result in a birth injury or NICU malpractice claim include:
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Failing to recognize signs of fetal distress during labor
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Delaying a necessary cesarean section
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Improper use of forceps or vacuum extraction devices
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Medication errors involving the mother or newborn
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Failure to monitor a premature or medically fragile infant in the NICU
These mistakes can lead to permanent conditions such as brain injuries, cerebral palsy, nerve damage, developmental delays, or other serious medical complications that require lifelong care.
Proving Medical Negligence in Pennsylvania
Medical malpractice claims involving birth injuries require strong evidence and testimony from qualified medical experts. Under Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 1042.3, a certificate of merit must be filed early in the case.
This certificate confirms that a qualified medical professional has reviewed the claim and believes there is a reasonable basis to conclude that the healthcare provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care and that this failure caused the patient’s injuries.
To pursue your case, the first step is reaching out to one of our attorneys to understand how Pennsylvania’s legal process works. At Marzella & Associates, our lawyers work closely with respected medical experts to investigate what happened, review medical records, and identify whether preventable errors contributed to your child’s injuries. From there, we can help you file your claim and gather as much evidence as possible to hold the responsible parties accountable.
Who May Be Responsible for a Birth Injury?
Depending on the circumstances, more than one party may be responsible for the harm your child suffered. Potentially liable parties may include:
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Obstetricians
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Physicians
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Specialists involved in the delivery
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Nurses
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NICU staff
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Hospitals or other healthcare facilities
Our attorneys carefully evaluate every aspect of your case to determine who may be legally responsible and pursue compensation from every appropriate party.
Turn to Our Medical Malpractice Attorneys in Harrisburg, PA, for Skilled Legal Representation
If medical negligence contributed to your baby’s birth injury, working closely with a medical malpractice lawyer in Harrisburg can give you the support you need to take on your case. Marzella & Associates is committed to helping families pursue the financial recovery they need to move forward in life.
Contact our team today online or by calling 717-234-7828 to schedule a free consultation with Marzella & Associates. We take on clients residing in Harrisburg, Hanover, Lancaster, and surrounding cities throughout Pennsylvania.