Houston Birth Injury Attorney
The birth of a child is usually a time of celebration and joy. Unfortunately, tragedy and heartbreak can sometimes also accompany the birth of a child. When a baby suffers serious injury during pregnancy, labor, or delivery, the hopes and dreams you have for your child may be replaced with a lifetime of struggles and challenges. Perhaps the worst part of many of these tragic birth injuries is that they could have been avoided altogether.
When a medical professional fails to act as another reasonable medical professional would have done, given the same circumstances, negligence could have been present. Every year, thousands of children and parents in Texas and across the nation are forced to survive the aftermath of birth injuries or infant death due to a mistake made by a doctor, nurse, or other delivery room personnel.
Dedicated. Experienced. Successful.
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“He kept me informed throughout my case and was always available to answer any questions…During this difficult time, he was always compassionate and understanding. I would highly recommend John Brothers.”- J. Kveton
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“He ALWAYS represented me fairly and honestly, plus he is a very good at just visiting with you. After a short while i quit worrying about his his legal ability, honesty and integrity as he has no shortcomings in these areas.”- Dick A.
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“He is wonderful and get the job done couldn’t ask for better attorney. I will definitely recommend him to all my friends if they need a medical malpractice attorney.”- Amanda S.
Why Choose The Brothers Law Firm for Your Child’s Birth Injury?
Finding out that your child was injured at birth is extremely traumatic. Your every waking moment is likely spent caring for your child and determining how you can ensure the best future possible for them. During such a difficult time it can be extremely beneficial to speak to a knowledgeable birth injury attorney from The Brothers Law Firm. Our firm prides itself on the many positive testimonials we have received from our satisfied clients. For more than a decade, attorney John Brothers has been the champion for parents whose child has been injured at birth as a result of negligence, carelessness, or failure to act in a way that another medical professional, given the same circumstances, would have done.
John is trusted by his clients for his small-town values and plain-spoken honesty—and his ability to get results. John has recovered millions of dollars for victims and their families. John Brothers is also highly respected by fellow attorneys for his skills, professionalism, and success in highly complex birth injury matters. While in law school, John simultaneously clerked at two highly respected medical malpractice and personal injury law firms and was hired by one of those firms after graduating and passing the Bar. A short three years later, John was recruited as a partner for one of the largest medical malpractice firms in the state of Texas. We know that you have plenty of choices when choosing a birth injury attorney. We also believe strongly that once you have spoken to birth injury attorney John Brothers, your choice will be clear.
At The Brothers Law Firm, we stand by families who have been devastated by a birth injury, fighting for their rights and their futures. Although many birth injuries are immediately apparent, others may not make themselves known until months or years later. Once parents realize something has gone terribly wrong, they need an advocate in their corner to hold those responsible accountable and get the answers they need.
Serious birth injuries can bring emotional, physical, and financial pain to the victim and family. When a birth injury is severe, the parents may find themselves unable to financially provide the level of care required by the baby or child. Medical care, rehabilitative therapies, special needs schools, home assistive items, and many other required items can last the child’s lifetime.
All of these things cost money, possibly far beyond what your health insurance will pay. When an avoidable medical mistake caused your child’s birth injury, the committed professionals at The Brothers Law Firm will fight aggressively to obtain the compensation that can ease your financial burdens, as well as bringing you some level of closure.
What are the Causes of Most Birth Injuries?
The causes of birth injuries are varied, although there are some types of birth injuries which are more common than others, such as:
- When a baby’s brain is deprived of oxygen during birth, hypoxia can result, causing mental or physical disabilities.
- The brachial plexus nerves provide power to the arm muscles. Brachial Palsy can occur when a baby must be delivered quickly, causing a doctor to exert excessive force when pulling the baby from the birth canal. This can result in over-stretching of one side of the baby’s neck; the severity will depend on whether there is a total tear, a partial tear or a stretch, and where the injury is located. While about half of all Brachial Palsy cases will heal on their own, within the first few weeks of life, other children could require nerve surgery.
- The incorrect use of Pitocin, a labor-inducing drug, can result in birth injury. When Pitocin is not properly used, contractions can become too strong or too frequent, placing the baby at risk due to lack of oxygen. Birth asphyxia can result in brain damage or even fetal death, and for the mother, uterine rupture and postpartum hemorrhage can occur.
- The improper use of forceps during delivery can severely injure the infant’s skull, causing brain bleeds, and even causing cerebral palsy. When forceps are misused, temporary or permanent facial paralysis can result.
- The healthcare professional may exhibit a failure to diagnose in cases where the umbilical cord is wrapped around the baby’s neck, when an infection occurs, or the premature rupture of the membranes occur. Any of these issues can potentially lead to serious injury or death.
- Failure to take note of changes in the baby’s condition during delivery can result in a birth injury or death.
- When a high-risk mother or baby does not receive the level of specialized care she requires, injury or death can occur.
- Vacuum machines are sometimes used during a difficult birth to deliver the baby. When the vacuum machine is used improperly, an injury can occur. A cup is applied to the top and back of the baby’s head, then suction is applied to help a stalled delivery. If the cup is improperly placed, not only can the baby sustain an injury, but the mother can as well. The FDA has issued very specific warning regarding the use of vacuum extractors because when the device is misused, brain hemorrhage, cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, shoulder dystocia, and skull fractures can occur.
- A fast blood pressure drop on the part of the mother or dangerous slowing of the baby’s heartbeat can result in serious injury or death to the mother and/or baby, particularly when the doctor delays a Caesarean section.
- The negligent administration of anesthesia or medication can result in serious injury to the mother or baby.
- A failure to address neonatal and postnatal infections can result in injury or death.
Any difficult birth has an increased risk of a birth injury, requiring all medical personnel to take every reasonable measure to reduce the risk of injury and death. Brachial Palsy, Erb’s palsy, Klimke’s palsy, facial paralysis, should dystocia, brain damage, clavicle fracture, encephalopathy, and cerebral palsy are all more likely when negligence is present.
Meet John Brothers
In 2019, after a number of years as a Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star, John was also as one of only 25 lawyers as a Texas Super Lawyers in Plaintiff’s Medical Malpractice litigation—and the only lawyer listed who was licensed after 1999. He has been selected a Super Lawyer each year since.
Our Representative Cases
Our top priority is to devise customized legal strategies that are tailored to the unique legal needs of our clients, no matter how simple or complicated their situations, might be.
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Anoxic Brain Injury Following Routine Sinus Surgery
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Anoxic Brain Injury Following Unrecognized Bleed
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Cardiac Arrest Following Gallbladder Removal
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Complications from Pharmacy Error
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Failure to Diagnose and Treat Endocarditis
