What Damages Can Be Awarded in Birth Injury Recoveries?If a doctor, nurse, or other medical practitioner commits medical malpractice, the injured party can be awarded various damages: - Compensatory/General Damages for pain and suffering
- Special Damages for pecuniary losses - specific expenses including past and future medical expenses and loss of income
- Punitive Damages to punish the defendant for willful or wanton misconduct
In most situations, damages are awarded to the actual injured party. In birth injury cases the primary injured party is the newborn child. However, an injury that occurs at birth is not only traumatic to the newborn child but the parents as well. As a result, courts have held that in certain circumstances parents can also recover damages for medical malpractice that results in birth injuries. What Damages are Recoverable by Parents?In most jurisdictions, only special damages for pecuniary losses can be recovered, including medical expenses and loss of contributed earnings. While the courts seem to recognize that pecuniary expenses are not necessarily reflective of the actual suffering parents endure, only in very rare instances have courts awarded compensatory damages to parents. Damages for emotional distress are available to parents. If a parent suffers emotional distress as a result of witnessing the infliction of pain, suffering or an injury on a child, the courts have increasingly allowed for damages. However, in most jurisdictions that provide this recovery, actual observation is required to establish emotional distress. What Happens if the Baby Does Not Survive?If the baby does not survive as a result of a birth injury, the recovery is governed by the remedy principles of a wrongful death suit. What if the Baby Survives but Suffers Brain Damage?In cases where the baby survives but suffers brain damage as a result of the birth injury, the baby still recovers full damages, with consideration for lifetime loss of earning capacity. Often this is quite difficult to determine but the courts have primarily included this as a significant award in the recovery. Do You Need an Attorney Experienced with Medical Malpractice?If you, or a loved one, have been injured by medical malpractice, you should speak to an attorney immediately to learn more about the value of your case, who can be held liable, and what types of recoveries are available to you. |
