The loss of a child is unimaginably heartbreaking for parents. If your baby was stillborn, you have the right to know whether medical malpractice contributed to your loss. Although a lawsuit can never truly compensate you for losing your child, it may help you to find some measure of closure.

Defining Stillbirth
A stillbirth is considered to be the loss of a baby when the expectant mother was past the 20 ^th week of gestation . Pregnancy loss before that time is considered a miscarriage.

Understanding Early Warning Signs
Stillbirth can occur without warning. However, when symptoms do arise, the expectant mother may experience back or abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, or an abrupt decline in fetal movement. Obstetricians should instruct women past the 28 ^th week of gestation to track fetal movements daily. Earlier tracking is recommended for women with a high-risk pregnancy. To track the baby’s kicks and other movements, women should choose a time of day at which her baby is typically the most active. They can then recline and track the length of time it takes to feel 10 kicks. An abrupt increase or decrease in kicks, or a lack of kicking for two hours indicates a potential emergency.

Delivering a Stillborn Child
Parents of a stillborn child face many difficult decisions, including whether to induce labor. When a child dies before labor, it is medically safe to carry the child. Labor will naturally begin in about two weeks. If parents choose to wait for natural labor to begin, they must be prepared to handle the physical changes to the child’s appearance. Many women find it emotionally traumatizing to carry a dead child and so they may elect to induce labor. If the stillbirth is the result of medical negligence, a lawsuit may seek compensation for emotional distress suffered by the mother.

The loss of a child is an unspeakable tragedy, particularly when stillbirth could have been prevented. If you decide to pursue a lawsuit near Long Island, New York on behalf of your baby, the medical malpractice team at Pegalis & Erickson will be by your side every step of the way. For a confidential consultation about stillbirth cases, call (516) 684-2900.

When you turn to Pegalis & Erickson because you’ve suffered from medical malpractice or you’ve lost a loved one due to wrongful death, you may feel comforted knowing that our medical negligence lawyers take the time to truly understand your situation and concerns. Watch this video to hear from Steven Pegalis about the personalized approach he takes with each client.

Mr. Pegalis is keenly aware that a medical malpractice case is about much more than just the factual allegations; it involves, as he puts it, real people who need help with significant problems. It’s his mission to ensure that these individuals get the help that they need. In this video, you’ll also hear from some of the people who know Mr. Pegalis. They discuss his remarkable commitment to his clients and passion for his cases.

You can schedule a consultation at Pegalis & Erickson by calling (516) 684-2900. Our personal injury lawyers near Long Island, New York focus on helping victims of medical negligence obtain compensation for their injuries.

Medical malpractice occurs with alarming regularity in the U.S. Yet, despite the prevalence, there are many persistent myths regarding doctor negligence and medical malpractice lawsuits. If you or a loved one has suffered as a result of possible medical negligence, you can turn to a medical malpractice lawyer for assistance. Your attorney can answer any questions you may have and explain the truth behind common myths.

Myth: Medical Malpractice Cases Usually Go to Trial
Some medical malpractice victims may hesitate to consult a lawyer because the idea that their case will go to trial is a little intimidating. However, the majority of all medical negligence cases do not go to court. In fact, approximately 96 percent of all of these cases are settled out of court. This means that the plaintiff agrees to accept a settlementoffer, or a specific amount of money, without the need for a trial.

Myth: Medical Malpractice Lawsuits are Often Frivolous
Some individuals have suggested that medical malpractice lawsuits are not only driving up the cost of healthcare, but that many of these cases are frivolous. In fact, medical malpractice payouts account for a tiny fraction of the overall healthcare industry, are covered by liability insurance, and are not responsible for increasing costs to the consumer. Furthermore, studies have found that the vast majority of these cases are meritorious. Most of them involve serious injury or wrongful death.

Myth: Medical Malpractice Isn’t Always Preventable
The nature of medical malpractice is that these errors are preventable and that the healthcare provider made a mistake that led to injury or death. Thousands of people die each year in the U.S. because of medical mistakes that could have been prevented.

If you have questions or concerns about filing a medical malpractice lawsuit, the legal team at Pegalis & Erickson will be happy to assist you. You can contact our malpractice law firm in Long Island, New York at (516) 684-2900 or visit our website to chat with a helpful representative. The attorneys at our law firm routinely handle cases involving birth injuries, medication errors, wrongful death, and other forms of medical malpractice.