Experiencing a traumatic birth can be emotionally and physically devastating, especially if you suspect that medical negligence played a role in the event. If you are wondering what to do next, you’re not alone. Levin & Perconti is here to provide clarity on the steps you can take and how you can protect your rights.
9 Steps to Take After a Traumatic Birth Experience
1. Seek Immediate Medical Help
Your health is the top priority. If you are facing physical or emotional issues due to your birth experience, seek medical attention immediately. Getting proper medical care is essential for your recovery and for building a clear record of your condition.
2. Gather and Preserve All Medical Records
Contact the hospital or healthcare provider where you gave birth and request a copy of all relevant medical records. This includes birth records, any diagnostic reports, surgery details, anesthesia logs, and physician notes. Keep these records organized, as they’ll serve as key evidence in a potential case.
3. Why You Should Contact a Birth Injury Lawyer Immediately
If you believe medical negligence played a role in your traumatic birth experience, reaching out to an experienced birth injury lawyer is essential. Levin & Perconti specializes in birth injury and medical negligence cases and can help you navigate the legal process with confidence.
4. Identify the Signs of Medical Negligence
Familiarize yourself with common signs of medical negligence in childbirth, such as:
- Fetal distress that wasn’t addressed
- Misuse of medical instruments (forceps, vacuum extraction)
- Delayed C-sections or incorrect administration of anesthesia
- Failure to monitor vital signs or properly document critical moments If you experienced any of these, make sure to bring them up with your lawyer.
6. Know Your Legal Rights for Birth Injury Claims
Understand that you may be entitled to compensation if your injuries or your child’s injuries were caused by medical negligence. Compensation could cover economic and non-economic damages such as medical bills, pain and suffering, emotional distress, lost wages, and more. Your lawyer will help determine what damages you can pursue.
7. Seek Psychological Support for Emotional Healing
Birth trauma can have lasting emotional effects. Seek therapy with a licensed counselor who specializes in trauma or join a support group for women who have gone through similar experiences. Addressing your mental health is key to your overall recovery.
8. Be Aware of Statute of Limitations
In Illinois, you generally have two years from the date of the birth injury to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. Don’t wait—consult with an attorney as soon as possible to ensure you meet any legal deadlines and preserve your ability to pursue compensation.
9. How Levin & Perconti Can Help You Pursue Justice for Birth Injuries
At Levin & Perconti, we have extensive experience in handling birth injury and medical malpractice cases. Our team is committed to helping victims of medical negligence get the justice and compensation they deserve. Whether your child was injured or you experienced maternal injuries due to negligence, the birth injury lawyers at Levin & Perconti can help.
Contact Levin & Perconti for a Free Consultation on Your Birth Injury Case
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic birth experience due to medical negligence, it’s important to take action as soon as possible. Contact Levin & Perconti today for a free consultation with our team of birth injury lawyers, and we’ll review your case to help you understand your legal options and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Call 312-332-2872 or fill out our online contact form today.
