Question: Should I Call A Maryland Childbirth Injury Attorney Immediately?
“Mr. Boston, I’m not looking to hire a lawyer immediately but I’m wondering if I want to down the line is there something I can do for my baby now?”
This was one of the opening lines from a recent phone call I received to my office from a parent who had a child who had recently suffered an injury during birth.
This parent was clearly concerned for her child, as she was already looking at possible medical treatments and second opinions.
Add to this, she was also doing her homework regarding a possible legal action against the doctors, nurses, and hospital in which she delivered her baby.
“…Is There Something I Can Do For My Baby Now?”
When parents are not looking to hire an attorney right away, but maybe ready in the near future, there is something that they can get started doing…and that is to start requesting their medical records from the birth.
Upon receipt of a proper medical records request, doctors and hospitals have to turn over a patient’s medical records (Remember that there may be a fee associated with these requests).
In cases where allegations of negligence are the cause of the child’s birth injury it is important to not only request your records as the mother, but to also request the records of the baby.
Add to this, you want to make sure that you request copies of the fetal heart strips.
Hospitals will sometimes give you “summaries” of the strips from the doctors and nurses.
This is not enough.
You want to make sure that you have copies of the actual strips themselves.
“Why Are These Records So Important?”
The medical records in cases like this are important for two reasons.
First, the medical records can help when you are looking to get a second opinion as to your child’s treatment and care.
A second opinion doctor can use the records in your possession to come to an opinion as to your child’s situation, which could lead to possible treatment options.
In addition to the above reason, Maryland law will require that if you hire an attorney to pursue a potential case against the responsible parties for your child’s injuries, medical experts will be needed.
If you already have some of the medical records, then you can submit them to your attorney for review with their medical experts.
Even though your attorney is going to request the applicable records, you can get a jump on the process by already have some records available for review.
How Can You Learn More About This Process?
If you are like the caller above, and just want to speak with someone regarding what happened to your child at birth, this is what I invite you to do, and remember it costs nothing for you to take the next action.
Pick up the phone and give me a call.
I can answer your legal questions regarding childbirth injury cases/medical malpractice and this is something that I do all the time.
I can be reached at 301-850-4832.