The birth of your child should be a joyous occasion. But every year, hundreds of families in and around Baltimore, MD experience traumatic births that result in injuries such as broken bones, damaged nerves, or brain damage. If your baby is unwell because a doctor or nurse didn’t uphold their duty of care, you can speak to a birth injury lawyer. Highly qualified, experienced, and compassionate professionals will help you access compensation for medical bills.
6 Signs of a Qualified Baltimore, MD Birth Injury Lawyer
1. Excellent Qualifications
First, make sure that the person you are choosing has gone to a reputable university, such as the University of Baltimore, The Johns Hopkins University, or the University of Maryland. This demonstrates that they are competent and that they have gone through a rigorous training process.
In addition to being highly qualified, the best lawyers also belong to professional organizations such as the American Association of Justice or the American Judicature Society. That way, they can stay up to date with changes in the law, and they can exchange ideas with other members.
2. Experience with Similar Cases
Birth injuries are quite common. In fact, around seven out of 1,000 babies suffer from an issue such as cerebral palsy, brain damage, a broken bone, a spinal cord injury, or something similar. Because there are so many cases, it’s likely that you’ll find lawyers in your area who have worked on similar issues before. Check the website of potential attorneys to see whether they have taken on clients with birth injuries or other medical damage in the past.
You can look at the “Verdicts and Settlements” page to find out what the law firm has been working on. Alternatively, you can give the attorneys a call and ask them directly. They can tell you about previous cases, and if necessary, they can even put you in touch with clients they have helped in the past.
3. Relevant Information on the Website
You can find most of the information you need on the website of the law firm. Browse through the various pages and read the biographies of the lawyers to learn more about their backgrounds and experience. Generally, well-established firms with multiple lawyers are best because they are more likely to offer specialized services, and the attorneys can collaborate on challenging cases.
You can also check whether there are any articles about medical malpractice and birth injuries. Educational material available for free is always a good sign because it demonstrates that the attorneys are interested in helping you find the resources you need.
4. A Transparent Process
Not everyone whose child suffers from a birth injury can claim compensation. Most issues are very minor, and they resolve on their own within a few days or weeks. Additionally, some injuries aren’t anyone’s fault, and even the best doctors couldn’t have done anything to change the situation. In these cases, parents aren’t owed any compensation because there wasn’t any negligence.
Good birth injury attorneys have a clear, transparent process to evaluate your situation and determine whether filing a lawsuit makes sense. They will ask you to attend an initial consultation, during which they will review the existing evidence and ask you questions about your situation. Then, they will determine whether they can take you on, and, if so, come up with a plan for gathering and compiling additional proof.
5. Good Client Feedback
Sometimes, testimonials and client feedback are available on the website, but even if they aren’t, you can seek them out on independent review sites. Past clients are some of the best sources of information because they have experience working with the lawyers in question. If you’d like to learn even more or speak to someone in person, you can ask the law firm to connect you with some past clients, and you can speak to them on the phone or write them an email.
6. A Compassionate Approach
Navigating a birth injury is extremely complex and emotional. Sometimes, parents blame themselves for their child’s injury, particularly if the mother took medication or had an epidural that affected the birth. A good lawyer will reinforce the fact that you did the best you could in a difficult situation. They will help you to gather evidence of negligence and reassure you throughout the process.
When you work with a professional, you can be sure that you’re doing everything you can to secure your child’s future. Your birth injury lawyer in Baltimore, MD will help you access the money you need to provide your baby with the best care possible. They will consider all factors and make sure you claim compensation for the emotional losses and the therapy you and your family need as well as the medical bills.
Birth injuries are common in the US, and they are sometimes caused by the negligent actions of a medical professional. After such an incident, hire a birth injury attorney who will file a lawsuit and help you access compensation for your losses. The best lawyers are well-qualified, experienced, and compassionate.