Bellevue Birth Injury Lawyer
Babies are often the symbol of fresh beginnings and the promise of the continuation of life. However, birth injuries can turn these dreams into harsh realities. When a baby is born with a birth injury, many families choose to reach out to a Bellevue birth injury lawyer in their pursuit of justice. With new and long-term emotional, physical, and financial challenges, the burdens of a birth injury can be all-consuming.
In fact, the medical bills alone are enough to send new parents into a downward spiral. According to the Centers for Disease Control, Americans pay more than $2.6 billion each year in hospital bills alone for birth defects and injuries. Pursuing a birth injury claim with the help of our dedicated medical malpractice lawyers at Inkelaar Law may help families ease their financial burdens.
Common Causes of Birth Injuries
The term birth injury describes damages or injuries to a fetus or newborn during pregnancy, labor, delivery, or shortly after delivery. When these injuries are the result of a doctor’s negligence or carelessness, you may be able to hold them liable in court. Common causes of birth injuries include:
- Failure to notice a baby is in distress during labor or prior to labor
- Failure to properly manage the infant’s vital signs
- Failure to take proper precautions to treat complications
- Misuse of birthing tools
- Failure to perform a timely c-section
If your baby was injured during birth and you believe it is due to the negligence of your doctor, it is important to take proper precautions. If you need an attorney, a Bellevue birth injury lawyer could help you determine what your rights are.
Statute of Limitations in Bellevue
The statute of limitations is a legally binding time limit for potential plaintiffs to take action when they have suffered damages. Nebraska Revised Statute 44-2828 states that plaintiffs in birth injury cases have two years from the date of the injury occurred to file their claim or have their Bellevue birth injury lawyer file their claim for them. However, there are exceptions to this rule such as:
- If the injury was not discovered right away, you may have one year from the date of discovery or from the date a discovery could have reasonably been made to file suit under the discovery rule
- If legal guardians do not take legal action for their minor child, the statute of limitations is tolled or does not begin, until the child turns 21
It is important to note that, no matter whether the discovery rule exception applies, Nebraska law does not allow for a statute of limitations longer than ten years. This makes filing a case on time imperative. Once the statute of limitations has expired, you can still file their case, although the defendant may be able to have it thrown out on that basis.
Depending on the circumstances, the statute of limitations may be confusing or even overwhelming. An accomplished attorney at Inkelaar Law may be able to help you determine when your case needs to be filed by and ensure you are within that legally mandated deadline.
Consult with a Bellevue Birth Injury Attorney
Birth injuries may be short-term, permanent, or anywhere in between. No matter the duration of a birth injury, babies and their families deserve justice. A compassionate Bellevue birth injury lawyer at Inkelaar Law may be able to craft a successful case if your child suffered a birth injury at the hands of negligent doctors or hospital staff.
As a parent, you may have more legal rights and options than you realize. Reach out to Inkelaar Law if you need an attorney for reliable legal assistance.