Ohio Birth Injury Attorneys Fight Doctors Who Cause Intellectual Disabilities
Intellectual disability may be caused by medical negligence
Intellectual disability (sometimes referred to as mental retardation) is a condition in which an individual’s intelligence and adaptive functioning is significantly impaired. These individuals often do not possess the skills they need to live independently. In some cases, unpreventable genetic conditions lead to intellectual disability. In other cases, medical negligence during labor and delivery is to blame. At The Eisen Law Firm, our Ohio birth injury attorneys make sure families receive the compensation they deserve when medical professionals injure their babies.
The causes of intellectual disability
For some children, intellectual disability is caused by genetic factors. For example, Down syndrome occurs when there is an extra copy of the twenty-first chromosome. Fragile X syndrome is caused by mutations in the FMR1 gene. These conditions are not preventable.
There are, however, preventable causes of intellectual disabilities, including:
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Lack of oxygen during birth
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Traumatic head injuries during delivery
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Brain injuries caused by dropping a baby in the hospital
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Infections
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Complications from preeclampsia or pregnancy-induced hypertension
Throughout a woman’s pregnancy, her medical team should monitor her carefully for any complications. For example, if the mother’s blood pressure is too high, she could be at risk of developing preeclampsia, which is a dangerous condition that can be dangerous for both the mother and her baby. Failing to address the signs of these conditions may lead to injury.
During labor and delivery, a baby’s status should be closely monitored. If the baby’s movement decreases or if the baby’s heart rate drops, immediate action may be necessary to ensure the baby’s oxygen levels are adequate. A lack of oxygen may lead to brain damage and intellectual disabilities.
The types of compensation available in a birth injury claim
If it is determined that medical negligence caused your baby’s intellectual disabilities, you may be entitled to compensation. Compensation may include:
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The cost of medical care, including future medical expenses
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The cost of providing round-the-clock care for the life of the child
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Pain and suffering
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Emotional distress
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Lost wages, if the parents had to miss work to care for the child
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Loss of future earning capacity
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The cost of medical equipment that may be necessary to care for the child
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The cost of special education for the child
Other types of compensation may also be available, depending on the individual facts of the case.
What if I do not know what caused my child’s intellectual disability?
In many cases, the causes of a child’s intellectual disability are never clearly determined. However, our experienced birth injury attorneys know how to study medical records, including records from the mother’s pregnancy, and determine if proper care was given to the mother and baby. Our attorneys identify any clear links between poor medical care and the child’s intellectual disabilities, entitling the family to compensation.
The attorney you choose makes a major difference in the outcome of your case. Contact leading Ohio birth injury attorneys today for guidance you can trust.
At The Eisen Law Firm, all we do is malpractice law—including birth injury claims. Other attorneys may only handle one or two malpractice claims every few years, but our firm handles them exclusively, all day, every day. Our experience and expertise sets us apart, and our record of success demonstrates our unwavering dedication to finding justice for our clients. To schedule a free consultation, call 216-687-0900 or contact us online.