Pittsburgh Baby Brain Injury Lawyers

Bringing a child into the world is an exciting and hopeful experience. Parents place their trust in doctors, nurses, and medical professionals to provide safe, competent care during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Unfortunately, when medical mistakes occur during childbirth, the consequences can be catastrophic. Infant brain injuries can result in severe, lifelong conditions, including cerebral palsy, developmental disabilities, epilepsy, and cognitive impairment. That’s where our experienced Pittsburgh baby brain injury lawyers step in.

If your child has suffered a birth-related brain injury due to medical negligence, you may have legal options to pursue financial compensation for medical care, therapy, and long-term support. Matzus Law, LLC is a trusted Pennsylvania birth injury law firm that represents families whose children have suffered preventable birth injuries. Our experienced legal team understands the complexities of medical malpractice lawsuits and will fight to hold negligent doctors and hospitals accountable.

If you suspect your child’s brain injury was caused by medical malpractice, contact Matzus Law, LLC today for a free consultation.

Why Choose Matzus Law, LLC for Your Infant Brain Injury Case?

Extensive Experience in Birth Injury Cases
With decades of legal experience in medical malpractice and birth injury claims, Matzus Law, LLC has helped numerous families obtain the compensation they deserve. Our firm is committed to fighting for justice and ensuring that children who have suffered birth-related brain injuries receive the best possible medical care and resources.

Medical and Legal Knowledge
Birth injury cases require in-depth medical knowledge and legal expertise to establish negligence. We collaborate with top medical professionals, neonatologists, pediatric neurologists, and forensic experts to analyze medical records, identify errors, and determine whether medical malpractice played a role in your child’s injury.

Compassionate Representation Focused on Your Child’s Future
We know that a birth injury diagnosis can be devastating for parents. Your child may require lifelong medical care, therapy, and special education services. We work closely with families to understand their unique needs and develop a legal strategy that prioritizes their child’s future well-being.

No Upfront Fees – You Don’t Pay Unless We Win
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t pay any legal fees unless we successfully recover compensation for your family.

 

Understanding Infant Brain Injuries & Medical Negligence

A birth-related brain injury can be caused by complications during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. While some brain injuries are unavoidable, many result from preventable medical errors. When a doctor or hospital fails to recognize fetal distress, delays an emergency C-section, or improperly uses delivery instruments, a baby may suffer oxygen deprivation, trauma, or other serious injuries that lead to permanent brain damage.

Medical professionals have a duty to monitor the baby’s vital signs, respond quickly to complications, and take necessary steps to prevent harm. If they fail to do so, they may be legally responsible for the injury.

 

Common Causes of Infant Brain Injuries

Oxygen Deprivation (Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy – HIE)

Lack of oxygen during labor and delivery can lead to brain cell death and conditions like hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). This condition can cause permanent brain damage, developmental disabilities, and cerebral palsy.

Common causes of oxygen deprivation at birth include:

• Delayed emergency C-sections despite signs of fetal distress
• Prolonged labor that places the baby under stress
• Umbilical cord problems (cord prolapse, nuchal cord, or cord compression)
• Placental abruption where the placenta detaches too soon

Birth Trauma from Improper Delivery Techniques

Mistakes during labor and delivery can physically injure the baby’s brain. Forceps and vacuum-assisted deliveries, if performed incorrectly, can result in brain hemorrhages, skull fractures, and nerve damage.

Common causes of birth trauma include:

• Improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors
• Excessive force applied during delivery
• Failure to recognize and respond to shoulder dystocia
• Mismanagement of breech births

Failure to Diagnose & Treat Neonatal Conditions

Certain newborn conditions require immediate medical intervention to prevent brain damage. When hospitals fail to diagnose or treat these conditions in time, severe neurological damage can occur.

Medical conditions linked to infant brain injuries include:

• Untreated neonatal jaundice (Kernicterus)
• Neonatal infections, meningitis, and sepsis
• Infant strokes and brain hemorrhages

 

Signs & Symptoms of Infant Brain Injuries

Early Symptoms in Newborns

1. Low APGAR Scores (poor breathing, low muscle tone, weak reflexes)
2. Seizures or unusual movements
3. Difficulty breathing, requiring oxygen support
4. Weak or stiff muscles
5. Difficulty sucking, swallowing, or feeding

Developmental Delays & Long-Term Effects

1. Delayed motor skills (trouble sitting, crawling, or walking)
2. Speech and language impairments
3. Poor coordination or muscle stiffness
4. Cognitive delays and learning disabilities

If your child exhibits any of these signs, consult a medical professional and speak with our experienced Pittsburgh baby brain injury lawyers.

 

Filing a Birth Injury Lawsuit – What You Need to Know

How Do I Prove Medical Negligence in a Birth Injury Case?

To succeed in a birth injury lawsuit, we must prove:

1. The medical provider owed a duty of care – Doctors, nurses, and hospitals are responsible for providing safe, competent medical care.
2. The duty of care was breached – A medical provider acted negligently, failed to monitor the baby, or made an avoidable medical mistake.
3. The negligence caused the infant’s brain injury – The baby suffered brain damage due to the healthcare provider’s mistake.
4. The injury resulted in harm – The child requires medical treatment, therapy, or lifelong care due to the injury.

Compensation Available in Birth Injury Cases

If your child suffered a preventable birth injury, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses (past, present, and future care)
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Specialized equipment and home modifications
• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages (if a parent must leave work to care for the child)

Statute of Limitations for Birth Injury Claims in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania law sets strict deadlines for filing a birth injury lawsuit. Generally, medical malpractice claims must be filed within two years of discovering the injury. However, for cases involving minors, the law allows families more time. Waiting too long to take legal action may result in losing your right to compensation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Infant Brain Injury Lawsuits

What is an infant brain injury?
An infant brain injury refers to any damage to a newborn’s brain that occurs before, during, or shortly after birth. These injuries can be caused by oxygen deprivation, physical trauma during delivery, infections, or untreated medical conditions. Depending on the severity, brain injuries in newborns can lead to lifelong disabilities, including cerebral palsy, developmental delays, and cognitive impairments.

What are the most common causes of birth-related brain injuries?
The most common causes of birth-related brain injuries include oxygen deprivation due to prolonged labor, umbilical cord complications, or placental abruption. Other causes include improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors, failure to perform a timely C-section, neonatal infections, and untreated jaundice that leads to kernicterus. In many cases, these injuries are preventable and result from medical negligence.

How do I know if my baby suffered a brain injury at birth?
Some signs of an infant brain injury appear immediately after birth, while others may not become evident until developmental milestones are missed. Early signs include low APGAR scores, difficulty breathing, seizures, weak or stiff muscles, and feeding difficulties. As the child grows, developmental delays, poor motor coordination, speech difficulties, and cognitive impairments may indicate a brain injury. If you suspect something is wrong, a medical evaluation is essential.

Can an infant brain injury be treated?
Treatment for infant brain injuries depends on the severity and cause of the damage. Some babies may recover with early intervention, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. Others with more severe injuries may require lifelong medical care, assistive devices, and specialized education. Early diagnosis and treatment can help improve outcomes, but some brain injuries result in permanent disabilities.

How do I know if medical malpractice caused my baby’s brain injury?
If a doctor, nurse, or hospital failed to monitor the baby’s condition, delayed a necessary C-section, misused delivery tools, or neglected to diagnose and treat conditions like jaundice or infections, medical malpractice may be to blame. An experienced birth injury attorney can review medical records, consult with medical experts, and determine if negligence caused your child’s brain injury.

 

Contact Matzus Law, LLC Today

At Matzus Law, LLC, we are dedicated to helping families affected by preventable birth injuries. We fight for justice and compensation to ensure children receive the best medical care, therapy, and resources available.

If your child suffered a birth-related brain injury, contact Matzus Law, LLC to schedule a free case evaluation.

Your child deserves the best possible future, and our Pittsburgh baby brain injury lawyers are here to help you fight for it.