The birth of a child is an event that every expectant parent looks forward to experiencing. In some cases, the expectant parents of a child may be distraught to learn that birth complications and negligence on behalf of a doctor caused a child to suffer a serious injury. This injury could mean that your child has to undergo physical therapy to properly recover. If your child was injured during birth due to an incident of medical malpractice, contact an experienced Miami birth injury attorney today.
Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys PA is devoted to providing your family with aggressive and unique legal representation in your time of need. To schedule a free case evaluation, contact our firm at (305) 694-2676, or contact us online.
Common Reasons Infant Physical Therapy is Needed
For a child that suffers a serious birth injury that could lead to long-term or permanent health issues, physical therapy may be necessary to avoid this problem. Physical therapy is designed to help a child deal with balance issues, muscle control, and the ability to hit developmental milestones at an appropriate age. This form of therapy should not be confused with occupational therapy that is generally used to help with a person’s fine motor skills and cognitive abilities.
The following is a list of common reasons that a child could need to have physical therapy:
Injuries Caused by Medical Malpractice
It is the responsibility of the delivering physician to ensure that a mother and her child are safe during a delivery. This could mean that a doctor has spoken with the mother about the possibility of using birthing instruments or a cesarean section (C-section) if labor becomes too difficult. Unfortunately, some physicians may act negligently and cause the child to suffer a serious injury during the birthing process.
One possible injury that could be caused by medical malpractice is a traumatic brain injury. The skulls of newborn children are softer than an adult’s skull to make it easier for the child to travel through the birth canal. As a result, if a child spends too much time in the birth canal, they can suffer a brain injury from the excessive force exerted by the mother’s pelvis. If a doctor does not act responsibly in this situation, they could be held legally liable for the child’s injuries.
There are other injuries caused by medical malpractice that could lead to a child needing physical therapy, like a child suffering a broken bone during a delivery. If you believe your doctor caused your child an injury that requires physical therapy to treat, you should speak with an experienced attorney.
Developmental Delays
Every parent looks forward to the day that their child begins to walk. For some, this is also the day they may learn that their child has a developmental delay. Developmental delays can take several different forms. For example, if a child has extreme difficulty sitting down when they reach eight months, this could be a sign that they require physical therapy.
In some cases, a child may begin to walk but can only walk in certain ways. For example, if a child only wants to walk on their toes, this is another sign that they may require physical therapy. While developmental delays could take weeks or months to manifest symptoms, a fair amount of developmental issues could be linked back to injuries that occur at birth. To learn more about filing a lawsuit for medical malpractice, continue reading and speak with an experienced medical malpractice attorney.
When to File a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit in Florida
If you believe that your child needed physical therapy because they were a victim of medical malpractice, you should consider filing a medical malpractice lawsuit. When filing any type of lawsuit, it is important that you understand how the statute of limitations could affect your claim.
The statute of limitations determines the amount of time that a plaintiff has to file a particular type of lawsuit. In Florida, the statute of limitations deadline for medical malpractice lawsuits is two years of the date of the malpractice was discovered. If a plaintiff fails to file their case within this timeframe, the court may bar their claim entirely. As a result, the plaintiff may not have an option to seek compensation for their child’s injuries.
In some cases, it may be possible that the statute of limitations could be extended. You should speak with an experienced attorney if you are concerned about the filing deadline for your case.
Work with an Experienced Miami Medical Malpractice Attorney
If your child suffered a birth injury that required them to receive physical therapy, you should consult with an experienced Miami medical malpractice attorney today. Injury lawyer Prosper Shaked has fought for residents of South Florida for years, handling a wide range of cases from medical malpractice to personal injury. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your potential case, contact Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys PA at (305) 694-2676.