Santa Fe Birth Injury Lawyer

Santa Fe Birth Injury Attorney

Childbirth should be a time of joy. Tragically, some parents find that their newborn suffered a preventable injury due to negligence on the part of doctors and hospital staff. A Santa Fe birth injury lawyer can help you secure the compensation you are owed while holding the at-fault party accountable for your child’s injury as well as the related harms suffered by you, the parent. Compensation can cover a wide range of damages, from emotional distress to medical treatments for your child.

Understanding Birth Injury Statistics

Around 20,000 medical malpractice claims are filed annually in the United States, and many involve birth injuries. These injuries often stem from complications such as oxygen deprivation, prolonged labor, use of forceps or vacuum extractors, and maternal health issues like obesity, infections, or gestational diabetes. For newborns, malpractice payouts often exceed $1 million due to the long-term care these conditions may require.

In Santa Fe County, 73.5% of all births involved mothers who began prenatal care during the first trimester. The county also recorded a preterm birth rate of 11.4% in 2023 and received a grade of D from the March of Dimes.

Common Birth Injuries in Santa Fe

Birth injuries can occur during labor or delivery and often result from medical negligence or delayed response to complications. In Santa Fe, families may seek care at local hospitals and regional OB/GYN practices affiliated with these hospitals. Common injuries include cerebral palsy, brachial plexus injuries like Erb’s palsy, and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), which results from oxygen deprivation during birth.

Broken collarbones, facial nerve damage, and vacuum or forceps-related trauma are also frequent complications. While some conditions are mild and resolve with time, others may lead to lifelong developmental delays or physical limitations. These injuries often require long-term therapy, specialized care, and ongoing medical support.

Compensation You May Be Owed

When negligence by a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider causes a birth injury, the parents of that newborn may be entitled to compensation for the immediate and long-term effects of that harm. Immediate costs could include the cost of emergency care to save the newborn’s life following an injury and extended hospital stays. Follow-up procedures can also be included in a settlement.

Compensation may cover much more than those short-term costs. In-home care, assistive equipment, and other costs can be reclaimed through an injury claim. Beyond those medical expenses, families may also be compensated for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, and emotional damage. The psychological anguish of knowing that a child was harmed and may suffer long-term setbacks can be very traumatic for parents.

In cases where the injury claim goes to trial, and there is gross negligence or misconduct tied to the healthcare provider’s action, a jury may award punitive damages aimed at punishing the healthcare providers for the harm they caused. Filing a claim does not erase what happened, but it can provide the financial support needed by a family to move forward and access appropriate care.

Establishing Fault Following a Birth Injury

Holding a healthcare provider accountable for their actions requires evidence that shows the healthcare provider deviated from accepted medical standards. Those deviations must also be tied to the injury. In Santa Fe, liability may rest with an individual OB/GYN, a delivery nurse, an anesthesiologist, or the hospital itself.

Common forms of evidence can include fetal monitoring strips, notes made by the doctor or medical staff, medical records, and outside opinions from experts who understand the birthing process and established standards of care.

Any documentation that shows delayed recognition of fetal distress, improper use of forceps or vacuum tools, or failure to perform an emergency C-section in time can be used to build the foundation of a strong claim.

Without legal guidance, it can be difficult to uncover these details or link the provider’s mistakes to the child’s condition, which is why many parents rely on the services of a birth injury lawyer to secure compensation following an injury at birth.

Why Legal Representation Matters

Birth injury cases involve complex questions of medicine and law that most families cannot navigate alone. Without experienced legal help, it’s easy to miss critical deadlines or accept an inadequate settlement.

A skilled attorney can gather evidence, work with medical malpractice consultants, and show how negligence at a facility like CHRISTUS St. Vincent Regional Medical Center or Presbyterian Santa Fe Medical Center directly caused the harm.

Legal action not only helps families recover financially but also pressures providers to improve standards. The right representation protects your child’s future and holds negligent parties fully accountable under New Mexico law.

What to Look for in a Qualified Birth Injury Attorney

Choosing the right attorney means finding someone with proven experience handling complex medical malpractice cases. Look for lawyers who know how to evaluate care provided at local facilities and hospitals.

A qualified attorney should have access to credible medical consultants, a record of favorable outcomes, and the willingness to take your case to trial if needed. Ask how they build cases, communicate with clients, and advocate for long-term support.

These and other factors matter. The attorney you choose can determine whether your claim succeeds or the responsible party avoids accountability.

Schedule Your Santa Fe Birth Injury Consultation Today

Birth injuries can have lifelong consequences for both children and their families. When a preventable medical error during pregnancy, labor, or delivery causes harm, you have the right to pursue accountability and compensation. At Egolf + Ferlic + Martinez + Cox, LLC, we handle these cases with compassion and competence, using our legal knowledge to help families secure the resources they need for ongoing care and stability.

When you partner with our firm, you gain an advocate who understands the emotional and financial toll of a birth injury. We take a client-focused approach to every case by working to hold negligent providers accountable and achieve meaningful results. Contact our office today to schedule a confidential consultation and learn how we can help you move forward.