Detail-Oriented Birth Injury Review Grounded in Medical Evidence
A serious diagnosis after labor and delivery doesn’t reveal whether an injury was unavoidable or resulted from medical negligence. We review the care provided during pregnancy, delivery, and the newborn period, then assess the evidence under Tennessee health care liability law.
Warning signs may include oxygen deprivation, fractures, cerebral palsy, or a brachial plexus injury affecting the nerves that control the shoulder and arm. These conditions don’t prove malpractice on their own. A thorough evaluation considers the medical records, applicable standard of care, causation, and the child’s future needs.
Talk with us about what happened and the next steps in evaluating a possible claim. Call (931) 473-8405 to arrange an initial consultation.
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Medical Malpractice Counsel in McMinnville Since 1982
Birth injury allegations can turn on small but consequential details, such as changes in fetal monitoring, medication entries, communication among providers, or the time between fetal distress and delivery. We examine the medical and legal records closely rather than drawing conclusions from a diagnosis alone.
Established in 1982, Law Offices of Galligan & Newman handles medical malpractice matters from our McMinnville office. We serve families throughout Warren County and surrounding Upper Cumberland communities, including DeKalb, White, Van Buren, Grundy, and Putnam Counties.
Our attorneys have over 100 years of combined legal experience. We prepare complex civil cases with litigation in mind and are ready to go to court when negotiations don’t produce an appropriate resolution. Throughout the process, we explain developments, answer questions, and keep our clients informed.
How Tennessee Birth Injury Claims Are Evaluated
A viable claim generally requires evidence that a health care provider departed from the applicable standard of care and caused a legally recognized injury. Medical complications or an unfavorable outcome aren’t enough on their own to establish liability.
Pregnancy, Labor & Newborn Care
An investigation may examine decisions made during pregnancy, labor and delivery, or newborn care, depending on the medical history.
Issues that may require closer review include:
Delayed recognition of or response to fetal distress
Misinterpretation of fetal heart monitoring data
Delay in performing a cesarean delivery
Improper use of forceps or a vacuum extractor
Medication or dosage errors affecting the mother or child
Failure to address maternal complications
Inadequate treatment of breathing problems, infection, jaundice, or other newborn conditions
A hypoxic brain injury is brain damage caused by an insufficient oxygen supply. Determining when and why the deprivation occurred may require close examination of the pregnancy history, fetal monitoring strips, delivery records, imaging, and neonatal treatment.
Evidence, Causation & Responsible Parties
Physicians, nurses, hospitals, and other health care providers may bear responsibility depending on their conduct and the applicable legal relationships. Each potential defendant must be assessed separately. Expert testimony from qualified professionals is often needed to explain the medical standards and whether a departure from those standards caused the injury.
Relevant documentation may include:
Prenatal and maternal medical records
Fetal heart monitoring records
Labor, delivery, and operative notes
Neonatal intensive care records
Imaging, laboratory results, and diagnostic testing
Therapy plans and developmental assessments
Medical bills and evidence of ongoing care needs
Damages & Tennessee Filing Requirements
A claim may document past and future medical treatment, rehabilitation, assistive equipment, specialized care, lost income, and non-economic harm. Available compensation depends on the evidence, Tennessee law, and any applicable limits.
Tennessee health care liability cases are also subject to procedural rules that require early attention. Applicable claims generally require written pre-suit notice to each potential defendant at least 60 days before filing. The limitation period is generally one year, while a three-year statute of repose may impose an outer deadline tied to the alleged negligent act. Discovery rules and statutory exceptions, including provisions that may affect claims involving children, require case-specific analysis. Families shouldn’t assume a child’s age automatically preserves the claim.
When you contact us, we’ll discuss the pregnancy and delivery timeline, the diagnosis, the providers involved, and the care your child currently receives. This conversation allows us to identify the records and other information needed for a more informed legal assessment.
As the evaluation moves forward, the process may include:
Building the timeline: Organizing events from prenatal care through labor, delivery, and newborn treatment.
Reviewing documentation: Examining available medical records, test results, discharge papers, bills, and provider communications.
Assessing the legal issues: Determining whether further medical investigation or qualified review is needed to evaluate the standard of care and causation.
Explaining the options: Discussing the available information, Tennessee requirements, and possible next steps while keeping your family informed.
Keep copies of treatment notes, test results, therapy plans, insurance communications, and bills. Don’t alter or annotate original records. A separate timeline of appointments, symptoms, conversations, and developmental milestones can also help organize the history.
Get Clarity About a Possible Birth Injury Claim
An initial consultation is an opportunity to describe what happened, ask questions about the legal process, and learn what information may be needed for further evaluation. Prompt review can be important because obtaining records, completing medical analysis, and satisfying Tennessee pre-suit requirements take time.
We bring a detail-oriented approach, over 100 years of combined legal experience, and readiness for complex civil litigation to each review. We can explain our assessment directly and keep you informed if the case moves forward.
Call (931) 473-8405 to arrange an initial consultation with Law Offices of Galligan & Newman.
