The birth of a child should be one of the most joyful moments of your life. But when medical negligence during childbirth causes injury to your newborn, that joy can turn to heartbreak and uncertainty. If your child suffered a birth injury in New Brunswick or the surrounding areas, you need a birth injury lawyer who understands what your family is going through. Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers has helped families pursue compensation for injuries caused by medical malpractice during labor and delivery. We investigate these cases and work to hold healthcare providers accountable for their actions.
Why Choose Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers for Your Birth Injury Case
When your child’s health and future are at stake, you need a legal team with the experience and compassion to handle your case properly. Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers brings decades of experience handling birth injury cases and medical malpractice claims throughout New Jersey. Our trial attorneys understand the medical details involved in childbirth negligence, and we work with medical experts to build strong cases for our clients.
Our approach is straightforward: we listen to your story, investigate thoroughly, and pursue compensation on your behalf. We handle these cases on a contingency basis, which means you pay no upfront fees. We only get paid if we recover money for you. Your focus should be on your child’s care and recovery.
Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers has recovered over $700 million for clients across New Jersey. We’ve helped families pursue birth injury claims, and we understand the emotional and financial toll these injuries can take. Every case is different, and we treat each family with the individual attention their situation requires. Our New Brunswick office is conveniently located at 317 George Street, Suite 320, making it easy for families in Middlesex County to access our services.
What Constitutes Birth Injury Negligence
Birth injury negligence occurs when a healthcare provider fails to meet the standard of care expected during labor and delivery. This standard means that a reasonably competent healthcare provider in the same situation would have acted differently to prevent injury to the baby.
Medical negligence in childbirth can take many forms. A doctor or nurse might fail to monitor the baby’s heart rate properly, missing signs of fetal distress. They might delay performing a necessary cesarean section when vaginal delivery becomes unsafe. They could use forceps or vacuum extraction incorrectly, causing injury to the baby’s head, face, or nerves. Medication errors, failure to respond to complications, or inadequate prenatal care can all constitute negligence.
The key difference between a birth injury and medical negligence is this: some injuries happen despite proper medical care. Negligence means the injury may have been avoided if the healthcare provider had acted appropriately. Under New Jersey law, specifically N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2, there are specific requirements for establishing medical malpractice in birth injury cases. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists provides clinical guidelines that establish the standard of care for obstetric practice.
Common Causes of Birth Injuries in New Brunswick
Birth injuries in New Brunswick and throughout New Jersey often result from preventable medical errors. Understanding what went wrong is the first step toward identifying potentially responsible parties.
Common causes of birth injuries include:
- Failure to respond promptly to signs of fetal distress shown on fetal monitoring equipment
- Delayed or unnecessary delay in performing an emergency cesarean section
- Improper use of forceps or vacuum extraction during delivery
- Medication errors, including incorrect dosing of labor-inducing drugs
- Failure to manage maternal infections or complications during pregnancy
- Inadequate monitoring during high-risk pregnancies
- Failure to recognize and treat umbilical cord problems
Each of these situations may represent a failure to provide the standard of care expected from healthcare providers. If you believe your child’s injury resulted from medical negligence, our team at Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers can help you understand your legal options. Many birth injuries are preventable through proper medical care and attention to established protocols.
Types of Birth Injuries We Handle
Birth injuries can range from minor to severe, and some effects may not appear immediately. Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers handles cases involving various types of birth injuries.
Cerebral palsy is one of the most common serious birth injuries. It results from brain damage that can occur during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. While some cerebral palsy cases result from oxygen deprivation during labor and delivery, many cases originate from prenatal factors such as maternal infections, inflammation, or genetic conditions. Children with cerebral palsy may experience muscle weakness, movement problems, and developmental delays. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides comprehensive information about cerebral palsy causes and management.
Erb’s palsy and other brachial plexus injuries occur when the nerves controlling the arm are damaged during delivery. These injuries can cause weakness or paralysis in the affected arm. Proper delivery techniques and careful handling during labor can prevent many of these injuries.
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) happens when the baby’s brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen during labor or delivery. This can cause seizures, developmental delays, and long-term neurological problems. HIE is often preventable through prompt recognition of fetal distress and appropriate intervention.
Other birth injuries we handle include spinal cord injuries, fractures sustained during difficult deliveries, and internal injuries from improper use of delivery instruments. Some injuries heal with time and therapy, while others cause permanent disability requiring lifelong care. Our attorneys work with medical experts to document how these injuries could have been prevented.
The Birth Injury Claim Process
Understanding what to expect when you pursue a birth injury claim can help you feel more informed about your decision to seek legal help.
How We Investigate Your Case
Our investigation begins with a thorough review of all medical records from your pregnancy, labor, delivery, and your child’s hospital stay. We examine fetal monitoring strips, nursing notes, doctor’s orders, and test results to understand what happened.
We consult with medical experts, physicians who specialize in obstetrics, pediatrics, and neurology, to review the medical care your family received. These experts help us determine whether the healthcare providers met the standard of care and whether their actions or inactions contributed to your child’s injury. The American Academy of Pediatrics establishes standards for neonatal care that guide our expert analysis.
We also reconstruct the timeline of events during labor and delivery to evaluate how different decisions or actions might have affected the outcome. This detailed analysis often reveals critical moments where different medical decisions could have prevented injury. Our experienced legal team has successfully navigated complex birth injury investigations.
Building Your Case
Once we understand what happened, we gather evidence to support your claim. This includes expert reports, medical literature, hospital policies, and testimony from witnesses who were present during delivery.
We coordinate with medical experts who will explain the care provided in clear terms that a jury can understand. We also work with life care planners and economists to estimate the cost of your child’s ongoing care and potential loss of earning capacity. Our team has successfully recovered substantial settlements for families.
Throughout this process, we keep you informed and answer your questions. We prepare your case so that we can pursue a fair settlement or take your case to trial if necessary. Many families benefit from understanding the litigation process before proceeding. We also help families understand how personal injury settlements are paid out.
Compensation Available for Birth Injuries
Families who pursue birth injury cases may be able to recover compensation for multiple categories of damages. Understanding what you might recover helps you evaluate the potential impact of your child’s injury.
Medical expenses form the foundation of most birth injury claims. This includes hospital bills from the delivery, neonatal intensive care, surgeries, and ongoing medical treatment. For serious injuries, these costs can be substantial. Calculating lifetime medical costs requires expert analysis of your child’s specific condition. Understanding how much to ask for in a personal injury settlement is critical to maximizing your recovery.
Beyond immediate medical bills, compensation may cover ongoing care and therapy costs. Children with cerebral palsy, for example, may need physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and special education services for years. These services are essential for maximizing your child’s potential and quality of life.
Pain and suffering damages may account for the physical pain and emotional impact on your child. Families may also seek compensation for emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and the demands associated with caring for an injured child.
Compensation may also address reduced earning capacity. If your child’s injury affects their ability to work as an adult, damages can reflect the income they may have earned over their lifetime. Life care planning helps estimate future needs, including medical equipment, home modifications, and specialized care. We also help families understand loss of earning capacity in personal injury cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a birth injury lawsuit in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, medical malpractice claims involving birth injuries generally must be filed before the child turns 13 years old. This deadline is different from the general two-year statute of limitations for many other personal injury claims, so it is important to seek legal guidance promptly. Missing this deadline can result in losing your right to pursue compensation entirely.
What is the statute of limitations for birth injury cases?
The statute of limitations is the legal deadline for filing a lawsuit. In New Jersey, birth injury medical malpractice claims typically must be filed before the child’s 13th birthday under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2. This deadline applies to minors in most cases. For adults pursuing related claims, the general two-year statute of limitations may apply from the date of injury or discovery. Contact Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers to discuss your specific situation and applicable deadlines. Understanding these deadlines is critical to protecting your family’s rights. We also provide guidance on how long you have to file a personal injury claim in New Jersey.
How much does it cost to hire a birth injury lawyer?
Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers handles birth injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront fees, and we only collect a fee if we recover compensation for you. This arrangement allows families to pursue claims without paying legal fees in advance. You can focus on your child’s care while we handle the legal work. Learn more about how much lawyers usually take from a settlement.
What evidence do I need to prove medical negligence?
You do not need to gather evidence yourself. We obtain medical records, consult with experts, and build the case. To prove negligence, it must be shown that the healthcare provider failed to meet the standard of care and that this failure contributed to your child’s injury. Our experienced attorneys know exactly what evidence is needed to establish a strong case. Learn more about what documents you need for your personal injury case.
How long does a birth injury case typically take?
The timeline varies depending on the complexity of your case and whether it settles or goes to trial. Some cases resolve within a year or two, while others may take longer. We provide an estimate based on your specific situation. Understanding the litigation timeline helps families plan for the future.
Can I still file a claim if my child’s injury wasn’t immediately apparent?
Yes. Some birth injuries do not become obvious right away. Developmental delays, learning disabilities, or other issues may not appear until months or years after birth. New Jersey law recognizes this, and you may still have time to file a claim depending on the circumstances. If you suspect your child’s condition may be related to birth injury, contact us for a free evaluation.
Contact Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If your child suffered a birth injury in New Brunswick or anywhere in New Jersey, consider seeking legal guidance. Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers offers a free consultation to discuss your case and explain your options. Call (973) 364-8300 today to speak with a birth injury lawyer.
We understand what your family is going through and work to pursue compensation on your behalf. There are no upfront fees, and you will not pay attorney fees unless we recover money for you. We can help you seek answers and pursue accountability from those involved. If your injuries prevent you from visiting our New Brunswick office, one of our attorneys can travel to your home or hospital room.
Written by: Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers Last Updated : May 25, 2026We are the trial attorneys with the experience and knowledge to get you the results you deserve. At Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers, we take time to get to know you, as well as your case. We are committed to excellence. It is important for our team to understand your fears, concerns and expectations. We are always available to answer any questions, and are willing to come to you if you are unable to come to us.
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