Erie Birth Injury Lawyer

In Pennsylvania, parents typically have two years from the date the injury was discovered to file a claim for medical expenses. However, the Minor's Tolling Statute allows the child to file a claim for their own damages (like pain and suffering) until their 20th birthday. Early filing is recommended to preserve vital hospital records.

Common signs include a low Apgar score, the need for resuscitation at birth, seizures within the first 48 hours, or a "floppy" muscle tone. Later signs often involve missed developmental milestones, such as a child failing to sit up, crawl, or speak by the expected age. Attorney Hunter investigates these signs to find the underlying cause.

An Apgar score is a 1-to-10 scale used to evaluate a newborn's health immediately after birth. The acronym APGAR stands for five vital signs:

• Appearance (Skin color/Cyanosis)
• Pulse (Heart rate)
• Grimace (Reflex irritability)
• Activity (Muscle tone)
• Respiration (Breathing effort)

Each category is scored 0, 1, or 2, for a maximum total of 10

A low Apgar score (typically below 7) at the five-minute mark can be a critical indicator of oxygen deprivation or fetal distress. In a legal claim, these scores serve as vital evidence that a medical team may have failed to intervene or perform a timely emergency C-section.

A birth defect is typically a genetic or naturally occurring condition that develops in the womb. A birth injury is physical harm caused by medical negligence during labor or delivery. Examples include oxygen deprivation leading to Cerebral Palsy or physical trauma from the improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors.

Yes. While not all CP is preventable, many cases are caused by hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)—a lack of oxygen to the brain during birth. If a doctor in Erie fails to monitor fetal distress or delays an emergency C-section, they may be held liable for the child's lifelong care requirements.

In many Erie, PA cases, HIE is caused by preventable complications, including:

• Umbilical cord issues (prolapse or compression).
• Placental abruption or uterine rupture.
• Prolonged labor where the baby is stuck in the birth canal.
• Preeclampsia or maternal infections that were improperly managed.

Families can recover compensation for past and future medical care, specialized therapies, home modifications, and assistive technology. Because birth injuries often require lifelong support, settlements in Pennsylvania can be significant, aiming to secure the child's financial future and provide for their specialized educational and physical needs.

Yes. Pennsylvania law requires a Certificate of Merit, which is a statement from a qualified medical professional confirming that the care provided fell below the accepted standard of care. Attorney David L. Hunter works with leading medical experts to build a scientifically backed case for his clients.