Compassionate Phoenix Lawyers Helping Families Find Their Way after a Fatal Birth Injury
Skilled representation for Arizona parents who have lost their child
We have words to describe the loss of our loved ones, like “widow” or “widower,” or “orphan.” The loss of a child is so great, so devastating, that there is no word for it in the English language. The inability to describe a loss of this magnitude feels appropriate; after all, no parent should ever have to go through such an experience.
At Plattner Verderame, P.C., our experienced Phoenix birth injury attorneys understand that no amount of compensation is going to bring your child back. We know that it won’t ease the pain you feel, either. But bringing a claim and demanding accountability from the responsible parties can ensure that no other parent ever has to suffer the same fate, and help ease the financial burdens thrust upon you from the costs of medical treatment, time lost from work and funeral expenses. If your child sustained a fatal birth injury, we will help you help your family by protecting your rights.
Did negligence cause the death of your child?
The first thing you should know – and it is the hardest idea to truly understand – is that not every infant death is caused by negligence. In order to being a wrongful death claim, you must be able to prove that an act of negligence led to the death of your baby. There are four steps involved in that process:
- That the doctor, nurse, midwife, facility or other involved party owed a duty of care to you and your child under the circumstances.
- That a breach of that duty occurred because he or she failed to act in the reasonably expected way.
- That the actions (or inaction) of the party(ies) involved caused the fatal injury.
- That you and your child were harmed because of those actions.
A child who dies, or who is stillborn, despite you and your OB/GYN having done all the “right” things may not be considered an act of negligence. We know that this knowledge hurts, but we want you to know the whole truth before you make a decision. If you are unsure whether or not an act of negligence led to the death of your child, you can consult with a Phoenix wrongful death lawyer from our firm; we will always tell you the truth. You only have two years to file a wrongful death claim, so we encourage you to seek counsel as soon as you are able.
Common causes of fatal birth injuries
Some infant fatalities are the result of genetic conditions, acts of violence against the mother, or the result of a trauma stemming from incidents like car crashes. In other cases, the death of a child is related to an OB/GYN’s failure to diagnose conditions like:
- Placental abruption
- Placenta previa
- Uterine rupture
- HELLP Syndrome or preeclampsia
- Infections in the mother or the child
- Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)
- Cephalohematoma
- Nuchal cord
- Umbilical cord prolapse
A delayed C-section, the failure to monitor the mother or the baby (while in utero or not), the excessive use of tools like forceps and vacuums – any of these can lead to the death of a newborn.
Are Phoenix hospitals safe for pregnant women?
Phoenix has a number of excellent healthcare facilities, including a branch of the Mayo Clinic and the Phoenix Children’s Hospital. But even nationally ranked hospitals are filled with infallible people, and mistakes do happen. The Leapfrog Group collects and collates information every year about hospitals in Arizona, to help patients make informed decisions. You can compare hospitals in Phoenix here.
When a mistake does occur, and your family sustains the ultimate loss, our firm is here to help. We handle complex fatal birth injury claims stemming from acts of negligence which occurred at facilities including, but not limited to:
- Abrazo hospitals
- Banner hospitals
- Deer Valley
- John C. Lincoln Medical Center
- Maricopa Integrated Health System
- Osborn Medical Center
- Shea Medical Center
- Joseph's
- Luke’s
How a skilled Phoenix fatal birth injury attorney can help you
At Plattner Verderame, P.C. we have a team of skilled litigators who offer you practical guidance and compassionate care. Three of our partners are Arizona Bar Board Certified Specialists in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Litigation, which gives us a unique advantage when it comes to trying cases involving fatal injuries. We review your medical records, work with outside experts when necessary, and build a case from compensation on your behalf. You can trust us to be honest and up-front about what it will take to be successful, and to guide you through the process. We hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions. Let us help you with the fight, so you can focus on your family and on the healing process.
Types of Cases We Handle
Our attorneys handle a variety of cases, including:
Phoenix fatal birth injury lawyers fighting for families
Plattner Verderame, P.C. has stood up for the rights of Arizonans since we founded our firm in 1991. Our team of Phoenix wrongful death attorneys can help you ease some of the outside strain you face after the loss of your child, so you can grieve with and comfort your family. To learn more about our services, or to schedule a free consultation with a member of our team, please call 602-266-2002, or fill out our contact form.