Adapting to the special needs of a child with a birth injury can be an unpredictable and lifelong journey. While some disabilities are mild and can be easily managed, other birth injuries permanently affect a child’s ability to carry out a normal and independent life. Families must make continuous adjustments to accommodate the special needs of that child – and while the bonds of love are strong enough to help them cope, managing the day-to-day requirements of a child with a birth injury can be challenging.
No crystal ball can predict what type of care a child who suffered birth injury will need over the course of his or her lifetime. Some things can be anticipated, such as the need to adjust assistive equipment as the child grows. However, an understanding of the child’s intellectual and physical capabilities may not emerge until long after birth, making it difficult to estimate what types of financial, therapeutic and educational resources will be necessary over the years.
Lifelong Consequences of a Birth Injury
A birth injury can change a family’s life forever. Children with severe injuries may need a variety of treatments to help them achieve the best possible outcome, and all of the treatments require the family’s commitment of time and resources.
There are a variety of treatments for children who have suffered birth injuries. Not everyone will need these types of services, but many times a combination of these treatments is recommended for individuals with birth injuries:
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Psychological therapy
- Drug therapy
- Special education
Some other costs to take into consideration:
- Medical bills for the delivery of the injured child, which may have required a longer-than-usual stay in the hospital and added costs for treatment in intensive care
- Doctor visits
- Home modifications
- Prescription drugs
- Residential care or in-home nursing care
- Assistive devices such as leg braces, wheelchairs and walkers
- Life care planning
- Specialized schooling
- Psychological treatment for family members (such as siblings) who need help coping with the added stress of caring with someone with a birth injury
Sources of Compensation
Your child may be eligible to receive Supplemental Security Income or Medicaid if he or she qualifies for those benefits. In some communities, there are other grants and waivers that can help defray the costs of care. And in cases where medical negligence may have been responsible for your child’s birth injuries, the attorneys at Michigan Injury Lawyers can help you pursue financial compensation in court.
Contact Our Birth Injury Lawyers Today
Michigan Injury Lawyers represents families who are living with the long-term consequences of caring for a loved one with a birth injury. We have helped many families in Michigan recover the compensation they deserve. We can help yours, too.
Call Michigan Injury Lawyers at 313-438-4357 for a free evaluation of your claim. If there is no recovery in your case, there is no fee for our services.