Springfield Birth Injury Attorney

Why Choose Us Over Other Birth Injury Attorneys in Western Massachusetts?

Our Springfield birth injury attorney Al Goodman is committed to holding healthcare providers accountable for preventable mistakes that cause serious harm to newborns and mothers. When your child’s future is at stake, you need a law firm with the skill, compassion, and experience to fight for the best outcome possible.

Here’s what sets Better Call Al apart:

• Over 30 years of experience in medical malpractice litigation
• Recognized by Super Lawyers based on peer reviews and independent research
• AV Preeminent® rated by Martindale-Hubbell for legal skill and ethics
• Millions recovered in birth injury settlements and verdicts
• Access to leading medical experts in obstetrics and neonatology
• In-depth familiarity with local hospitals and healthcare systems in Western Massachusetts
• Free consultations
• No fees unless we win

Think a Medical Mistake Harmed Your Baby?

Don’t wait. Call (413) 736-1616 to explore your legal options with a Springfield medical malpractice lawyer today.

Why You Should See a Springfield Birth Injury Lawyer Right Away

Birth injury cases are legally and medically complex. Prompt legal action is essential for several reasons:

• Preservation of evidence: Medical records, fetal monitoring strips, and internal communications may be lost or altered over time.
• Expert review: Birth injury claims require expert medical testimony to establish negligence.
• Legal deadlines: Massachusetts has a strict statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims.

The sooner you speak with a knowledgeable Springfield birth injury attorney, the sooner you can begin building a strong case to protect your child’s future.

Do You Have a Legitimate Case?

You may have a legitimate Springfield birth injury malpractice claim if medical professionals:

• Failed to monitor the baby’s vital signs
• Misread test results or fetal heart strips
• Waited too long to perform a cesarean section
• Used too much force during delivery
• Failed to respond to signs of fetal distress
• Mismanaged labor medications such as Pitocin

To bring a successful claim, we must prove that a healthcare provider breached the accepted standard of care and that this failure directly caused injury to the child or mother.

What’s the Legal Process for a Birth Injury Claim?

At Better Call Al, we guide you through every step of the legal process with care:

1. Free Consultation: We review your case, listen to your concerns, and explain your legal options.
2. Medical Record Review: We gather all relevant prenatal, labor, delivery, and postpartum records.
3. Expert Review: We work with independent obstetric and pediatric experts to confirm medical negligence.
4. Filing the Complaint: If we determine the case has merit, we file a malpractice claim in court.
5. Discovery Phase: Both sides exchange information and take depositions.
6. Settlement or Trial: Many cases settle, but we prepare each case for trial to ensure the strongest position.

Throughout the legal process, our focus is on protecting your child’s rights and securing the resources needed for their care.

What Is the Statute of Limitations in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, the statute of limitations for birth injury claims is generally three years from the date the injury was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. However, the law provides special rules for minors.

If the child was under six years old at the time of the injury, the claim must be filed by the child’s ninth birthday. Speaking with an attorney right away can provide a clear understanding of your options.

Types of Compensation Available

If your child suffered a birth injury due to medical negligence, you may be entitled to significant compensation to help provide long-term care. Potential damages include:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Rehabilitation and therapy costs
• Home modifications and assistive devices
• Special education expenses
• Lost future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life

In cases of extreme negligence or wrongful death, additional damages may be available. At Better Call Al, we fight to recover the full value of your losses so your family can move forward with financial stability.

Did Your Child Suffer a Preventable Birth Injury?

We hold doctors and hospitals accountable. Call to learn more: (413) 736-1616

What Is Birth Injury Medical Malpractice?

Birth injury medical malpractice refers to a specific type of legal claim made when a newborn suffers harm due to negligent care provided by a medical professional before, during, or shortly after birth.

Failure to Diagnose Reproductive & Pregnancy Conditions

Proper prenatal care includes identifying and managing high-risk conditions early. When doctors fail to diagnose reproductive or pregnancy-related conditions, the consequences can be life-threatening.

Failure to Diagnose Placenta Previa

Placenta previa occurs when the placenta partially or fully covers the cervix. It increases the risk of bleeding and complications during delivery. Failure to identify this condition may result in emergency situations and preventable harm to both mother and baby.

Delayed Recognition of a Rupture of the Uterus

Uterine rupture is a rare but catastrophic event that can occur when previous C-section scars reopen during labor. Delayed recognition and intervention can endanger both the mother and child.

Premature Delivery

Failure to identify risk factors or signs of preterm labor can result in premature birth. Premature babies often face serious medical complications requiring intensive care.

Failure to Address Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a dangerous pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and organ damage. Failure to diagnose or manage preeclampsia can result in seizures, stroke, or death for both mother and child.

Failure to Detect Fetal Distress

When a baby shows signs of distress such as a slow heart rate or lack of movement, immediate action is necessary. Delayed response can lead to brain damage, oxygen deprivation, or stillbirth.

Waiting Too Long to Perform a Cesarean Section

A delayed C-section can result in oxygen deprivation, trauma, or even death. Prompt surgical intervention is critical when labor isn't progressing or complications arise.

Misreading Fetal Heart Strips

Fetal heart monitoring is used to track the baby’s condition during labor. Misinterpreting these strips can lead to a failure to act on warning signs of distress.

Maternity Care Malpractice

Birth injuries can also result from systemic failures in maternity care, especially when midwives, nurses, or general practitioners fail to escalate care appropriately.

Midwife Failure

Negligent monitoring, delayed referrals, or poor decision-making during home births or low-intervention deliveries can result in preventable injuries.

Pitocin Injury / Pitocin Overdose

Improper administration of Pitocin can cause uterine rupture, fetal distress, or delivery complications. Providers must closely monitor the mother and baby when this drug is used.

Improper Use of Forceps or Vacuum Delivery

Birth injuries can occur when forceps or vacuum extractors are used improperly during delivery, applying excessive pressure to the baby’s head, neck, or shoulders. Misuse of these tools can lead to skull fractures, nerve damage, or conditions like cerebral palsy or brachial plexus injuries.

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition caused by brain damage before, during, or shortly after birth. It affects muscle coordination, posture, and movement, and often leads to lifelong physical and developmental challenges. In many cases, it results from oxygen deprivation or trauma during labor and delivery.

Erb’s Palsy

Erb’s palsy is a form of brachial plexus injury that occurs when nerves in a baby’s upper arm are damaged during childbirth. This condition often results in weakness or loss of motion in the shoulder and upper arm. It is commonly associated with difficult deliveries involving shoulder dystocia or excessive pulling.

Maternal Death

Maternal death refers to the death of a mother during pregnancy, childbirth, or shortly after delivery due to complications. It can result from undiagnosed conditions, surgical errors, hemorrhage, or failure to respond to signs of distress. Many maternal deaths are preventable with appropriate medical care and timely intervention.

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)

HIE is a serious brain injury caused by insufficient oxygen and blood flow to a baby’s brain during or after birth. It can lead to permanent cognitive and physical impairments, including developmental delays and motor dysfunction. Immediate medical intervention is critical to limit damage and improve outcomes.

Brachial Plexus Injury

A brachial plexus injury involves damage to the network of nerves that control movement and sensation in the arm, shoulder, and hand. This often occurs when a baby's shoulder is stretched during a difficult birth. The injury may result in lasting disability.

Klumpke's Palsy

Klumpke’s palsy is a rare type of brachial plexus injury that affects the lower nerves, impacting the forearm, wrist, and hand. It can cause paralysis or weakness in the hand and a characteristic "claw hand" appearance. This condition typically occurs when a baby's arm is pulled excessively during delivery.

Shoulder Dystocia

Shoulder dystocia occurs when a baby’s shoulder becomes stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone during delivery, delaying birth. This obstetric emergency can lead to injuries such as brachial plexus damage, broken bones, or oxygen deprivation. Prompt and skilled intervention is necessary to prevent serious complications.

What Clients Are Saying About Us

I would recommend Attorney Goodman to anyone - Shayna Hosey

Attorney Al Goodman hit the ground running when it came to helping me settle my case! From day one he let me know what to expect and he made me feel confident that he would fight for me. The communication was very consistent throughout the whole process, which made me feel at ease! He put himself in my shoes and wrote a letter to the auto insurance detailing the car accident and he said everything I wanted them to know about what I had been thru and more! Within a month and half, he was able to help me get the settlement I deserved! I would recommend Attorney Goodman to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, personable, empathetic lawyer who will fight for you and get results quickly and with a smile! The experience has been amazing and I'm so thankful that I met an attorney who cares about people and who I trust! Better call Al!!!!

I have nothing but good things to say about my experience with Al - Kiley Perrone

Having Al working on my case has been an absolute pleasure! He is always willing to educate, advise, and clarify the process, and is available via text or email through all hours of the day. His hard work earned me a settlement big enough to buy my first home! And he listens and cares about his clients. I have nothing but good things to say about my experience with Al while going through a very stressful and painful time. If you're ever injured, better call Al!”

Case Results

Family Receives $3,500,000 Settlement After Delayed C-Section Causes Infant Brain Damage

A $3.5 million settlement was secured for the family of an infant who suffered permanent brain damage due to a failure to perform a timely cesarean section. Despite clear and alarming signs of fetal distress shown on fetal heart rate monitoring strips during labor, the obstetrics team at the hospital delayed surgical intervention.

Al Goodman took on the case, asserting that both the hospital and its physicians failed to meet the standard of care and violated their own internal protocols. The delay led to the infant experiencing hypoxia and encephalopathy, resulting in severe, lifelong neurological injuries.

To build a strong case, Al Goodman worked with nationally recognized medical experts who reviewed the records and assisted in preparing for depositions. Their testimony and analysis were critical in exposing the missteps taken by the medical staff.

Just prior to trial, the hospital agreed to a multi-million-dollar settlement, bringing closure and financial support to the child and family impacted by this avoidable tragedy.

Speak With a Trusted Birth Injury Lawyer in Western Massachusetts

If your child was injured due to medical negligence during pregnancy, labor, or delivery, you have every right to seek accountability and justice. At Better Call Al, we are here to listen, investigate, and take action.

We work with medical experts, review hospital protocols, and build powerful cases on behalf of families throughout Springfield and Western Massachusetts. When the healthcare system fails your family, you need a legal team that won’t back down.

Call (413) 736-1616 today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Let us help you fight for your child’s future.

Birth Injury FAQS

What is considered a birth injury?

A birth injury refers to any harm suffered by a baby or mother before, during, or shortly after delivery due to negligent medical care. This can include physical trauma, oxygen deprivation, nerve damage, or failure to diagnose pregnancy complications.

How do I know if my child’s birth injury was caused by malpractice?

If harm resulted because your medical team failed to monitor the baby, delayed a necessary C-section, misused labor medications, or ignored signs of distress, you may have a valid medical malpractice claim. A legal review is the best way to find out.

What are some common types of birth injuries?

Common injuries include cerebral palsy, brachial plexus injuries (like Erb’s or Klumpke’s palsy), hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), fractures, and spinal cord damage. Many of these are preventable with proper care.

Can I file a lawsuit if a midwife or nurse made a mistake?

Yes. If a midwife, nurse, or other healthcare provider acted negligently and caused harm, they may be held liable along with the hospital or birthing center.

What kind of compensation can I recover in a birth injury case?

You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, long-term care costs, therapy, special education needs, lost future earnings, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.

How long do I have to file a birth injury claim in Massachusetts?

Generally, you must file within three years of discovering the injury. For children under six, the deadline is extended to the child’s ninth birthday. It’s best to consult a Springfield attorney as soon as possible.

How long do birth injury cases take?

Birth injury cases can take months to several years, depending on the complexity of the case, the severity of injuries, and whether the case goes to trial or settles out of court.

Will I have to pay upfront to hire Better Call Al?

No. We handle birth injury cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing unless we win compensation for your family.

Meet Our Springfield MA Birth Injury Attorney

Al Goodman

Al Goodman is the founder and lead attorney of Better Call Al, a law firm focused on helping individuals and families harmed by medical negligence, misdiagnosis, and birth-related injuries throughout Springfield and Western Massachusetts. Al has earned a reputation as a fearless advocate and trusted legal ally for those failed by the healthcare system.

Throughout his career, Al has secured millions in compensation for clients in high-stakes cases involving emergency room errors, delayed cancer diagnoses, surgical mistakes, and birth injuries. He works side-by-side with top medical experts, carefully building each case to uncover the truth and hold providers accountable. Whether in settlement negotiations or in front of a jury, Al is known for his aggressive, strategic approach and unwavering dedication to justice.