Birth Injury Attorney in South Florida

Serving Families in Hollywood, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Throughout Broward, Miami-Dade & Palm Beach Counties

When a child is injured during birth, it can have life-changing consequences for both the child and the parents. Birth injuries may occur due to medical negligence, improper care, or avoidable mistakes during labor and delivery. If you believe your child’s birth injury was caused by medical malpractice or negligence, you need an experienced birth injury attorney to fight for justice and secure the compensation your family deserves.

I’m Mark Schiffrin, a dedicated birth injury lawyer serving Hollywood, Florida, and surrounding areas in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties. With over 35 years of experience, I have the knowledge and commitment to help you navigate this difficult and emotional time.

What Is a Birth Injury?

A birth injury is any type of physical harm that occurs to an infant during labor and delivery. These injuries can range from mild to severe, with some leading to permanent disabilities. Birth injuries may be the result of medical malpractice, such as the failure to properly monitor the baby during labor, improper use of forceps or vacuum extraction, failure to perform a timely C-section, or mismanagement of complications like shoulder dystocia.

Common birth injuries include:

• Cerebral Palsy – Caused by brain damage during birth, leading to physical and cognitive impairments.
• Brachial Plexus Injuries – Damage to the network of nerves controlling the arms, often due to excessive pulling during delivery.
• Fractures – Broken bones, especially the collarbone, are common during difficult deliveries.
• Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) – Brain damage caused by a lack of oxygen during birth.
• Erb’s Palsy – Paralysis of the arm caused by injury to the nerves in the brachial plexus during delivery.
• Caput Succedaneum – Swelling of the soft tissues of the baby’s head, typically caused by pressure during delivery.

These injuries can have lasting effects on a child’s development, and many require long-term medical care, therapy, and in some cases, lifelong assistance.

Causes of Birth Injuries

Birth injuries are often caused by complications during labor and delivery that are either improperly managed or not promptly addressed by medical professionals. Some common causes of birth injuries include:

1. Failure to Monitor Fetal Heart Rate

During labor, it’s crucial to monitor the baby’s heart rate to detect signs of distress. If doctors fail to act quickly when signs of fetal distress appear, oxygen deprivation can occur, leading to brain damage and other injuries.

2. Improper Use of Forceps or Vacuum Extraction

Forceps and vacuum extraction are sometimes used when a baby needs help being delivered quickly. However, improper use or overuse of these tools can lead to facial nerve damage, skull fractures, or other serious injuries.

3. Failure to Perform a Timely C-Section

In some situations, a C-section may be necessary to ensure the safety of both the baby and mother. Delayed C-sections or failure to perform one when needed can result in birth injuries like brain damage or hypoxia (lack of oxygen).

4. Shoulder Dystocia

Shoulder dystocia occurs when the baby’s shoulders get stuck during delivery. This can result in brachial plexus injuries, causing partial or full paralysis of the arm. This often occurs when the doctor fails to handle the situation properly.

5. Inadequate Prenatal Care

Inadequate prenatal care or failure to detect complications like infections or abnormal fetal positioning can contribute to birth injuries. Early detection and proper care can help prevent or mitigate many birth-related complications.

Signs of Birth Injury

Birth injuries are not always immediately apparent, but parents should look for any signs that may suggest an injury. Some common signs of birth injury include:

• Lack of movement or abnormal arm/leg movement.
• Poor muscle tone or difficulty lifting the head.
• Difficulty feeding or swallowing.
• Seizures or abnormal eye movements.
• Visible physical injuries like bruising, swelling, or broken bones.

If you notice any of these signs in your newborn, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider as soon as possible to assess the extent of the injury and begin treatment.

How Mark Schiffrin, P.A. Can Help You

If you suspect that your child’s birth injury was caused by medical negligence or malpractice, I can help you pursue the justice and compensation your family deserves. Here’s how I can assist you:

• Free Consultation – I offer a free consultation where we can discuss the specifics of your case and I can advise you on your options.
• Experienced Advocacy – With over 35 years of experience handling personal injury and medical malpractice cases, I have the expertise needed to effectively handle birth injury claims.
• Thorough Investigation – I’ll work with medical experts to thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your child’s birth, ensuring that all relevant evidence is uncovered and preserved.
• Compensation for Medical Costs – Birth injuries often require expensive medical treatments, therapies, and surgeries. I’ll fight to ensure you receive the compensation you need to care for your child.
• Long-Term Support – Birth injuries often lead to lifelong care needs. I’ll help you secure compensation that covers not just immediate medical expenses but future costs for your child’s care, education, and assistance.

Types of Compensation for Birth Injury Cases

If your child has suffered a birth injury due to medical malpractice or negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for the following:

• Medical expenses – including hospital bills, surgeries, therapy, and long-term care.
• Pain and suffering – for the physical and emotional distress caused by the injury.
• Loss of future earnings – if the child’s injury impacts their ability to work in the future.
• Caretaker expenses – if the child requires assistance with daily activities or medical care.
• Emotional distress – for the parents’ emotional pain caused by the injury.

Areas I Serve in South Florida

I serve clients across South Florida, including Hollywood, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and nearby cities such as:

• Broward County (Pompano Beach, Coral Springs, Pembroke Pines, Deerfield Beach)
• Miami-Dade County (Miami Beach, Hialeah, Miami Gardens, Kendall)
• Palm Beach County (Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Wellington)

If you are in South Florida and have a child who has suffered a birth injury, please don’t hesitate to contact me for a consultation.

Contact a South Florida Birth Injury Lawyer Today

If you suspect that medical malpractice led to your child’s birth injury, contact Mark Schiffrin today for a free consultation. I work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless I win your case. Your family deserves the best care, and I’ll fight to ensure you get the compensation you need to support your child’s future.

📞 Contact Mark Schiffrin today for your free consultation.
📍 Serving Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, West Palm Beach, and surrounding areas.