Welcoming a child into the world ought to be a joyous time. The anticipation of meeting milestones and envisioning the little one’s future fills your head. What happens when the time that is supposed to be filled with excitement turns into a parent’s worst fear? Chris Norman, Partner at WVFK&N, helps explain the legal process and your options following a birth injury due to malpractice.

The initial timeline

The first ten days following a birth injury can bring an array of emotions. It can be a traumatic and trying time as you navigate the best next steps. The most important thing is to focus on your child, make sure they’re being taken care of, and take the time to bond with them. Once you have a moment and can take a breath to process a traumatic birth, it is best to reach out to a lawyer. A lawyer will assist in gathering medical records and discuss your options with you.

What to look for

One if the largest indicators of a possible birth injury is a prolonged discharge. Most babies are discharged within one to two days. For babies who experienced trauma during birth are taken to a unit called the NICU which stands for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. A good first question to ask yourself when assessing is “did my child need some special care following birth?”.

Involving a lawyer

When searching for a legal representation, contacting a lawyer who is experienced and familiar with these types of cases and laws surrounding it is imperative. Once you secure legal representation, your lawyer can begin collecting all medical records on your behalf, but you are able to do this yourself by contacting the medical records department. They are obliged to provide them for you or your attorney.

This article was created in partnership with Fox45 News.