Washington DC Birth Injury Lawyer

At Cohen & Cohen, we support families whose newborns suffered preventable injuries during labor or delivery. We know how devastating it is to learn that a medical mistake may have caused long-term harm to your child. These situations often come with more questions than answers, and families are left searching for clarity, accountability, and a path forward. Our legal team works closely with parents to pursue justice and the resources needed to care for their child.

Birth Injury Lawyer Washington DC

A birth injury is different from a birth defect. Birth injuries occur due to actions—or inaction—by healthcare providers during pregnancy, labor, or shortly after delivery. They may involve physical trauma, oxygen deprivation, or failure to respond to signs of distress. While some complications are unavoidable, many result from poor decision-making, delayed intervention, or improper use of medical tools.

Some of the most common types of preventable birth injuries include:

• Cerebral palsy caused by lack of oxygen during delivery
• Brachial plexus injuries (such as Erb’s palsy) due to excessive force
• Skull fractures or brain bleeding from improper use of forceps or vacuum devices
• Infections passed from mother to baby due to delayed treatment

Parents facing a birth injury diagnosis often want more than answers. They need financial support for lifelong medical care, therapy, and accommodations their child may now require. That’s where legal action becomes critical.

Our Washington DC birth injury lawyer can help investigate whether medical negligence occurred, often by reviewing delivery records, fetal monitoring data, and the timing of interventions. Our job is to find out whether something went wrong—and whether that error could have been prevented.

Why Families Trust Our Firm With These Cases

Birth injury cases are among the most sensitive and high-stakes matters we handle. At Cohen & Cohen, we understand the emotional and financial toll these cases bring. Families need clear communication, thorough investigation, and a team that won’t back down from holding hospitals or medical providers accountable.

In one case we handled, a newborn was left with permanent nerve damage due to excessive force used during delivery. Our team secured a settlement that helped the family pay for ongoing medical treatment and home care. In another, we helped parents whose child suffered brain damage due to a delayed C-section. Their claim resulted in compensation that supported long-term therapy and adaptive equipment.

We approach these cases with care and determination, working with medical professionals and investigators to identify what went wrong. If we believe negligence occurred, we work to build a case that supports the long-term needs of the child and their family.

Speak With a Legal Advocate Today

If your child was injured during birth and you suspect something went wrong during delivery, we’re here to help. A Washington DC birth injury lawyer at Cohen & Cohen can evaluate your case and explain your options. Call today for a free consultation—we’ll listen to your story and help you move forward with trusted support.

Types of Birth Injury Cases We Handle

For parents, nothing is more important than the health and safety of their child. When something goes wrong during labor or delivery, the outcome can change a family’s life in an instant. At Cohen & Cohen, we represent parents who suspect their child’s injury may have been the result of a medical mistake. We understand how overwhelming it can be to face unanswered questions, unexpected medical needs, and long-term care costs. That’s why we work hard to support families and pursue the accountability they deserve.

Injuries Caused by Oxygen Deprivation

One of the most serious concerns during childbirth is whether the baby receives enough oxygen. A delay in delivery, failure to recognize fetal distress, or problems with the umbilical cord can all reduce oxygen flow to the baby’s brain. Without quick medical action, this can lead to permanent brain damage or conditions like cerebral palsy.

These cases often involve reviewing fetal monitoring strips, labor timelines, and decisions made by the medical team. When care providers fail to act during a crisis, the damage can be lifelong.

Physical Trauma During Delivery

Birth injuries can also result from the physical force used during labor. If the baby becomes stuck or labor progresses abnormally, doctors sometimes use tools like forceps or vacuum extractors. These tools carry risks, especially if they’re applied with excessive force or without proper care.

We represent families dealing with:

• Brachial plexus injuries, including Erb’s palsy
• Fractured collar bones or skulls
• Nerve damage from incorrect positioning or pulling

These injuries may heal with time, but many require surgery, therapy, or long-term intervention. We focus on identifying how the injury occurred and whether better decisions could have prevented it.

Delayed Emergency Response

Some births become emergencies that require immediate action, such as an unplanned C-section or rapid delivery. When medical providers delay action—by misreading signs or waiting too long to intervene—it puts both the baby and mother at risk.

We handle cases involving:

• Delayed cesarean delivery after signs of fetal distress
• Failure to act after a drop in fetal heart rate
• Missed signs of umbilical cord compression or placental problems

In many of these cases, time is the difference between a healthy outcome and permanent injury. Our team looks at how long medical providers waited to act and what protocols were in place to protect the baby.

Birth-Related Infections

Newborns can develop severe infections if providers fail to treat or diagnose medical issues in the mother before or during delivery. Group B strep, for example, is a common bacteria that can be managed during labor—but only if properly identified. Other infections may be passed from mother to child if not addressed in time.

When infections go untreated, they can cause long-term harm such as hearing loss, developmental delays, or neurological damage. We investigate whether appropriate screening and antibiotics were provided and whether the newborn received proper care after delivery.

Talk to a Legal Team That Can Help

If your child suffered a birth injury and you believe a medical error was involved, we’re here to listen. A Washington DC birth injury lawyer from Cohen & Cohen can evaluate your case and help you understand your options. Call us today for a free consultation—we’ll support you every step of the way.

6 Common Causes Our Lawyer May Investigate

Welcoming a child should be one of life’s most joyful moments, but when something goes wrong during labor or delivery, the outcome can be devastating. At Cohen & Cohen, we work with families whose children suffered preventable injuries at birth. These injuries often have lifelong consequences—and they’re frequently tied to decisions or actions that could have been avoided. Identifying the cause is the first step in determining whether legal action may be an option.

Delayed C-Section or Emergency Intervention

One of the most critical decisions during labor is whether to proceed with a cesarean section. In many cases, signs of fetal distress appear on monitors before the baby is born. If those signs are ignored or misread, and the delivery isn’t moved forward quickly, the baby may be deprived of oxygen or suffer trauma during a prolonged labor.

We often see situations where:

• A provider fails to recognize low heart rate or decelerations
• The medical team waits too long to respond to labor complications
• An emergency C-section is ordered too late

These delays can result in brain damage, physical trauma, or stillbirth—outcomes that are preventable when decisions are made in time.

Excessive Force During Delivery

Doctors sometimes use tools such as vacuum extractors or forceps to assist with delivery. These instruments, while common, can cause serious harm if used with too much pressure or without proper technique. A difficult delivery can also lead to excessive pulling or twisting of the baby, which may result in permanent nerve or muscle damage.

Common injuries from excessive force include:

• Brachial plexus injuries, including Erb’s palsy
• Shoulder dystocia-related trauma
• Skull fractures or facial nerve damage

We evaluate whether the delivery followed accepted standards of care and whether the risks of these tools were properly considered.

Mismanagement of Fetal Distress

Fetal distress often shows up on monitoring strips as irregular heart patterns or reduced movement. When these signs are missed, delayed, or not taken seriously, the baby may not get enough oxygen, leading to conditions like hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) or cerebral palsy.

Providers are expected to monitor both the mother and baby throughout labor and respond to signs of distress by adjusting the birth plan or providing medical support. We examine whether the care team followed through on these responsibilities.

Failure to Diagnose or Treat Maternal Infections

Mothers can carry infections like Group B Strep (GBS) that may not cause symptoms but can be passed to the baby during delivery. If testing isn’t done or antibiotics aren’t given in time, the child can suffer serious health issues shortly after birth.

Untreated infections may lead to:

• Meningitis or sepsis in the newborn
• Brain swelling or long-term developmental delays
• Respiratory complications requiring immediate care

We review medical records to determine whether appropriate testing and treatment were provided before and during labor.

Improper Use of Labor-Inducing Drugs

Labor-inducing medications such as Pitocin or Cytotec can help move delivery along, but when used improperly, they can increase the risk of uterine rupture, oxygen loss, or contractions that are too strong and too frequent. These complications can place stress on the baby and increase the chance of injury.

We assess whether medication dosages were appropriate and if medical staff responded to signs that the baby or mother was in distress during induced labor.

Umbilical Cord or Placental Issues

Problems with the umbilical cord—such as knots, compression, or prolapse—can block oxygen and blood flow during labor. Likewise, placental abruption or previa can create emergencies requiring fast decision-making. If these issues are not identified and managed correctly, the baby may suffer permanent harm.

Medical teams should be trained to detect signs of cord or placental complications during routine monitoring and act quickly if they occur. Delays or oversight in these moments can have lasting effects.

Washington Birth Injury Infographic

Washington DC Birth Injury FAQ

Welcoming a child should be one of life’s most joyful moments. But when something goes wrong during labor or delivery, and a birth injury occurs, the outcome can be devastating for the entire family. In many cases, these injuries are preventable and may be caused by a healthcare provider’s mistake or failure to act. Parents are often left with questions about what happened, who is responsible, and how to move forward. If you’re facing these difficult circumstances, understanding your rights and the legal process can provide direction during a difficult time.

Who may be responsible for a birth injury?

Birth injuries may occur due to the actions or inaction of medical professionals involved in prenatal care, labor, or delivery. This can include doctors, nurses, midwives, or hospital staff who fail to monitor the baby’s condition properly, delay necessary procedures, or use delivery tools incorrectly. In some cases, the hospital itself may be responsible due to poor staffing or training. Identifying responsibility often involves reviewing medical records and consulting with professionals in the medical field to determine whether a standard of care was not met.

What are common types of birth injuries?

Common birth injuries range in severity. Some may heal over time, while others cause long-term or permanent damage. Conditions like cerebral palsy, brachial plexus injuries, Erb’s palsy, and brain damage due to lack of oxygen are among the most serious. Fractures and nerve damage can also occur during a difficult delivery. Many of these injuries result from delayed C-sections, improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors, or failure to respond to fetal distress. Early detection and treatment are important, but long-term care is often required.

Why would parents consider legal action after a birth injury?

Parents may consider filing a legal claim to recover the financial cost of their child’s medical care, ongoing treatment, therapy, and equipment. These costs can be substantial over a child’s lifetime, especially for injuries involving permanent disability. Legal action also provides a way to hold healthcare providers accountable and may lead to changes in hospital procedures. In cases where preventable errors caused the injury, a legal case can give families the resources they need to give their child the best possible quality of life moving forward.

How can legal support help a family in this situation?

A law firm experienced in birth injury cases can review medical documents, consult with independent professionals, and help build a clear case showing how the injury happened and who is responsible. At Cohen & Cohen, we work with families dealing with sensitive and serious matters like a Washington DC birth injury, helping them understand their options and move forward with confidence. Legal support can also help families deal with insurance providers, hospitals, and court proceedings while they focus on their child’s care.

Who has the legal right to bring a birth injury claim?

In most cases, the child’s parents or legal guardians can file a birth injury claim on the child’s behalf. This legal action is typically brought against the medical professionals or institutions believed to be responsible. If the child’s injury is permanent, the claim may also include future damages to cover lifelong care. There are legal time limits involved, so it’s important to act promptly. Each case is different, and a thorough review is often needed to understand the full scope of the injury and the potential legal steps.

Speak With a Legal Advocate for Your Family

If your child was harmed during birth and you believe it could have been prevented, we’re here to help. A Washington DC birth injury lawyer at Cohen & Cohen can review your situation, explain your legal options, and help you pursue the support your family needs. Contact us today for a free consultation.