The medical malpractice attorneys at Zevan Murphy are both parents and protectors — our team fights for each injured child as if they were our own. As mothers and fathers, we understand the emotional and physical toll that comes with an unexpected birth injury and strive to hold hospitals, doctors and other medical personnel accountable for the lack of care and attention towards you or your child. Meet with a St. Louis birth injury lawyer today.
Each member on our team brings years of experience and insider medical knowledge to the forefront to secure you the highest possible outcome. Our birth injury lawyers in St. Louis carefully guide you through investigations, settlements and trials — for the sake of your family and their future.
Birth injuries can turn a happy memory into a traumatizing event. While no dollar amount can erase the experience of birth injury, compensation can make your family’s journey a bit easier. Our birth injury attorneys can help you determine if you are eligible for compensation in St. Louis.
A birth injury is a physical trauma during pregnancy, labor or delivery that resulted from the negligence of hospital staff members, doctors or nurses. These are not your fault— rather, they are preventable through proper medical care.
The birth injury cases we take on typically fall into two categories:
An injury to the mother can cause lasting physical and emotional damage that impacts relationships, career paths and overall mental health. Some injuries include vaginal tearing, uterine ruptures, heart problems, and spinal cord injuries.
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An injury to a child can impact the entire trajectory of their life before it has truly started. Not to be confused with genetic birth defects, birth injuries to a child are the result of inaction or improper action by medical professionals. For example, excessive pulling during delivery can cause shoulder dystocia.
Birth injuries and deaths are often caused by oxygen deprivation, improper delivery techniques, premature birth and other birth-related complications. While you may have experienced one of these events, not every case is viable in court — the injury must have been directly caused by negligence of the medical professionals. The criteria you must meet differs by cause, making a St. Louis birth injury attorney key to your case.
Birth injuries fall beneath the umbrella of medical malpractice — under Missouri law, there are a few conditions these cases abide by, including:
In Missouri, medical malpractice cases must be filed within two years of the date of negligence. However, a case brought on behalf of a minor child may be brought up until his or her 20th birthday.
For noneconomic damages such as pain and suffering, the State of Missouri caps compensation at $450,000 to $780,000, with a yearly cost of living adjustment. However, Missouri will not cap economic damage claims such as loss of income or the value of future medical needs.
If you or a loved one has been affected by a birth injury, you must file an affidavit of merit within 90 days of initiating a claim. This document must contain expert testimony that validates a claim of injury to yourself or your child.
Missouri also has special rules when allocating damages to multiple responsible parties, such as a case involving both a doctor and a nurse. A St. Louis birth injury attorney can be crucial in navigating the specifics of your case successfully.
As the statute of limitations is short in Missouri, quick action is required when pursuing a birth injury case. Once you discover a birth injury, you should:
A birth injury can be life-changing, but in many cases, it could have been prevented with proper medical care. When doctors and nurses fail to monitor distress signs, delay emergency actions, or misuse delivery tools, the consequences can be devastating for both the baby and the family.
If you suspect medical negligence played a role in your child’s injury, you’re not alone. Our experienced birth injury attorneys are here to help you understand your rights and explore your legal options.
Many parents are unaware of the distinction between birth injuries and birth defects—but knowing the difference is crucial, especially when considering legal options.
Birth injuries may be preventable and could be caused by medical negligence during labor or delivery.
Birth defects typically result from genetic or environmental factors and are not caused by malpractice.
If you believe medical negligence played a role in your child’s condition, our legal team is here to help you understand your rights.
Birth injury cases can implicate multiple providers. One error may lead to another, like a delayed C-section due to missed fetal distress signs or improper anesthesia during an emergency delivery.
Malpractice isn’t always one person’s fault.
In birth injury cases, a delayed decision from one provider can trigger a cascade of poor outcomes. The law allows accountability across the entire care team – not just a single individual.
Learning that a medical mistake caused harm can take time – sometimes months or even years after the incident. That’s why many states allow families to file claims within a set period after the injury is discovered, not just when it happened.
For children, these timelines are often extended, giving parents more time to act.
We recommend consulting an attorney as soon as possible to give yourself the best chance of pursuing a case; however, don’t assume you’re too late. You may have more time than you think, especially if you are calling on behalf of a child.
Worried about legal fees? Don’t be.
At Zevan Murphy, we believe everyone deserves access to justice, no matter their financial situation.
That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis:
✅ You pay nothing up front.
✅ You owe no attorney’s fees unless we win.
You focus on your family and your healing – we’ll take care of the legal fight.
Let’s talk. Your consultation is free, and your peace of mind is worth it.
A birth injury can turn your world upside down, but you’re not alone.
If something doesn’t feel right after delivery, trust your instincts. Taking quick, informed steps can protect your baby’s future and help uncover the truth. Our team is here to walk with you through every step, from reviewing records to pursuing justice.
If your baby was harmed due to medical negligence, deciding whether to settle or go to trial is a major step. Settlements offer quicker resolutions and lower costs, but trials may lead to higher compensation and justice for your child’s future.
Always speak with an experienced birth injury attorney before making a decision.
The attorneys at Zevan Murphy Roman can help you obtain expert testimony, pinpoint the exact form of malpractice committed and pursue the largest possible outcome for you and your child. If you believe that you or your child have experienced medical malpractice, contact a St. Louis birth injury lawyer for a free consultation.