Santa Barbara Birth Injury Lawyers

Q: What is a birth injury?

A birth injury is a physical injury or medical condition that occurs before, during, or shortly after childbirth. While some birth injuries are unavoidable, others may result from medical negligence and could provide grounds for a legal claim.

Q: How much does it cost to hire a birth injury lawyer?

NordstrandBlack PC handles birth injury cases on a contingency fee basis . This means you pay no attorney fees unless compensation is recovered on your behalf.

Are You in Need of a Birth Injury Lawyer?

Medical providers have a duty to monitor both the mother and baby throughout pregnancy and delivery. When they fail to follow accepted medical practices, preventable birth injuries may occur.

At NordstrandBlack PC, we understand the emotional and financial challenges that families face after a birth injury. Our Santa Barbara serious injury lawyers are committed to helping families hold negligent medical providers accountable and pursue compensation for medical expenses and other losses.

You should consider speaking with a Santa Barbara birth injury lawyer if:

Your child was diagnosed with a birth injury shortly after delivery.
Medical providers delayed responding to signs of fetal distress.
Your child experienced oxygen deprivation during labor or delivery.
Improper use of forceps or vacuum extraction caused injuries.
A delayed cesarean section may have contributed to your child's condition.
Your child suffered nerve damage, fractures, or neurological injuries during birth.
You believe a preventable medical mistake caused your child's injuries.

Why Choose Us Over Other Birth Injury Attorneys in Santa Barbara?

When inexcusable mistakes are made in the delivery room, a child may suffer injuries that require lifelong medical treatment, therapy, and specialized support. Choosing an experienced legal team can make an important difference in your family's pursuit of justice.

Renée Nordstrand-Black and Doug Black provide compassionate representation while aggressively pursuing accountability for negligent medical providers. We understand the significant emotional and financial impact a birth injury can have on an entire family, and we work diligently to build strong, evidence-based cases.

Here’s why so many people have come to trust our firm:

Responsive, client centered representation, with personalized legal strategies, consistent communication, and compassionate support from the initial consultation through the resolution of your case.
No cost, free consultations, giving injury victims the opportunity to discuss their case, understand the legal process, and explore their options without any upfront financial commitment.
Renée Nordstrand-Black is the recipient of the Deborah Talmage Attorney of the Year Award, honoring her exceptional leadership, legal skill, and long-standing dedication to protecting the rights of injured clients.
AV Preeminent® Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, the organization's highest recognition for legal ability and ethical standards, awarded through an extensive peer review process.
10.0 Superb Avvo Rating, reflecting exceptional professional accomplishments, strong peer endorsements, ethical integrity, and a proven commitment to serving injury victims.
Premium Rating by Lawyer.com, recognizing extensive legal experience, professional excellence, and a respected reputation for handling complex personal injury litigation.
Successful representation in challenging injury claims, including cases involving catastrophic injuries, multiple liable parties, contested liability, and insurance companies attempting to undervalue claims.
Trusted advocates for clients across Santa Barbara and neighboring communities, delivering experienced legal counsel and determined representation tailored to each client's unique injuries, circumstances, and long term needs.

Protect Your Child's Future

A successful birth injury claim may provide financial resources for your child's ongoing care and future needs. Call (805) 962-2022 to discuss your legal options during a free consultation.

How Negligence Causes Birth Injuries

Many birth injuries occur because healthcare providers fail to recognize warning signs or they fail to respond appropriately to red flags during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. Examples of medical negligence that may contribute to birth injuries include:

Failing to properly monitor fetal heart rate during labor.
Delaying a medically necessary cesarean section.
Improper use of forceps or vacuum extraction devices.
Failing to recognize signs of fetal distress.
Mismanaging shoulder dystocia during delivery.
Failing to diagnose or treat maternal infections.
Administering incorrect medications or dosages.
Inadequately monitoring complications during pregnancy.
Failing to recognize umbilical cord compression or prolapse.
Delaying treatment when complications arise during delivery.

Serious Birth Injuries

At NordstrandBlack PC, we carefully review medical records, consult with qualified medical experts, and investigate every aspect of your child's care to identify all potentially responsible parties.

Brachial plexus injuries: The brachial plexus is a cluster of nerves behind the collarbone, one on each side connecting the spinal cord to the shoulders. These nerves allow a person to control the hand and arm. Injuries to one brachial plexus often occur during labor when an infant's neck is pulled or stretched, often by doctors attempting to get the baby out. A “stretch” injury to the nerve may heal on its own, but if the nerve is torn or traumatized, surgery may be required and complete recovery is unlikely.
- Erb's palsy: A brachial plexus injury that affects the nerves in the upper arm. The child will have loss of control and movement in the shoulder and upper arm, but often will be able to move the hand and fingers.
- Klumpke's palsy: A brachial plexus injury that affects the nerves in the lower arm. The child will retain some movement in the upper arm but lose control over the forearm, wrist, hand, and fingers.
Cerebral palsy: Although cerebral palsy can be caused by a genetic malformation of the brain, it can also develop due to a maternal infection during pregnancy, or oxygen deprivation to the infant during childbirth. It is often misunderstood as a muscle-related injury due to the loss of muscle control, but cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the brain.
Brain ischemia: When the baby’s brain is deprived of oxygen and reacts by draining blood away from the brain. Consequences from this type of injury can include long-term brain damage and other, related conditions.
Brain bleed: Bleeding in the brain, sometimes as a result of an external injury or lack of oxygen. Much like ischemia, a brain bleed (cerebral hemorrhage) can cause other conditions, including long-term brain damage.
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy: Widespread brain damage caused by a lack of oxygen to the baby’s brain. It can include a range of different complications and cause other conditions, including cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, and epilepsy.
Group B strep infection: Group B strep (GBS) infections are common in women - about 25% of mothers carry these infections without symptoms. During delivery, as the child passes through the birth canal, he or she can be exposed to GBS. It is up to the medical team to test the mother for GBS beforehand and protect the child from infection, usually through a C-section delivery.
Meconium aspiration syndrome: During childbirth, an infant under stress may defecate within the uterus and then breathe in the feces, called meconium. This can asphyxiate a newborn if not treated quickly.

Who Can Be Liable for Birth Injuries?

Determining liability in a birth injury case requires a careful investigation into what occurred before, during, and immediately after delivery. Depending on the circumstances, more than one healthcare provider or medical facility may be responsible for a child's injuries. Identifying every liable party is essential because it can affect both the strength of the case and the compensation available to your family.

Obstetricians

Obstetricians are responsible for monitoring both the mother and baby throughout pregnancy and delivery. They may be liable if they fail to recognize fetal distress, delay ordering a necessary cesarean section, improperly use delivery instruments, or otherwise fail to meet the accepted standard of medical care.

Nurses

Labor and delivery nurses play a critical role during childbirth by monitoring the mother's condition, tracking fetal heart rate, administering medications, and communicating changes to the attending physician. A nurse's failure to recognize complications or report concerning symptoms may contribute to a preventable birth injury.

Hospitals and Medical Centers

Hospitals may be held liable when their own negligence contributes to a birth injury. Examples include inadequate staffing, poor training, failure to maintain medical equipment, improper policies, or negligence by hospital employees acting within the scope of their employment.

Anesthesiologists

Anesthesiologists are responsible for safely administering anesthesia and monitoring both mother and baby during labor and delivery. Medication errors, delayed responses to complications, or improper anesthesia administration can contribute to serious injuries in certain cases.

Other Healthcare Professionals

Specialists such as maternal fetal medicine physicians, neonatologists, radiologists, or emergency physicians may also be involved in patient care. If these providers fail to meet the accepted standard of care, they may share responsibility for the resulting injuries.

Medical Groups and Healthcare Organizations

Many physicians practice as part of larger medical groups or healthcare organizations. Depending on the employment relationship and the facts of the case, these organizations may also bear responsibility for negligent medical care provided by their employees or agents.

Seek the Compensation Your Child Deserves

If medical negligence caused your child's birth injury, you may be entitled to compensation. Call (805) 962-2022 to learn more today.

Damages Available in Birth Injury Cases

A preventable birth injury can affect a child and family for decades. Many children require ongoing medical treatment, specialized therapies, adaptive equipment, educational assistance, and long-term assisted living care. California law allows families to pursue compensation when medical negligence caused the injury.

Economic Damages

Economic damages compensate families for measurable financial losses resulting from a birth injury. Depending on the circumstances, these damages may include medical expenses and other losses like loss of income, future medical treatment, rehabilitation, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, prescription medications, specialized medical equipment, home modifications, in home nursing care, special education services, and diminished future earning capacity when appropriate.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are meant to provide compensation for the personal impact of a birth injury that cannot easily be measured by financial records. Depending on the facts of the case, these damages may include pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent disability, physical impairment, loss of enjoyment of life, and reduced quality of life experienced by the injured child.

Wrongful Death Damages

Some acts of medical negligence tragically result in the loss of an infant. In these situations, eligible family members may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim under California law. Our attorneys provide compassionate guidance while helping families understand their legal options during these difficult circumstances.

Calculating Long Term Losses

Birth injury cases frequently involve damages that extend well into adulthood. Compensation must often account for decades of anticipated medical care and support.

Our legal team works with economists, medical professionals, rehabilitation specialists, and life care planners when appropriate to develop a comprehensive understanding of your child's future needs. This allows us to pursue compensation that accurately reflects both current and anticipated expenses.

What Clients Are Saying About Us

Amazing attorneys- Gabriela Madrigal (5-Star Google Review)

Amazing attorneys. They really care for the client's well-being and for them to get what they deserve. I got to know Ms. Nordstrand when I was younger. She helped my father with a case; she made sure he was well taken care of. Now, years down, I hired her services because of an accident I had. I'm sure and know I'm in good hands. The best in SB.

If I could give you more stars I would-Kathi Rose (5-Star Google Review)

I usually don't post reviews, but I just had to, Renee Nordstrand and Doug Black are two of the best attorneys I have ever met, not only are they understanding and listen to what your concerns are, they got me the best settlement, I'd literally can't believe it!! Honestly if you want the best outcome go to them. Thank you and your staff for all the hard work!!! If I could give you more stars I would.

Other Local Cities We Serve in California

Speak With a Trusted Santa Barbara Birth Injury Lawyer

Learning that your child's birth injury may have been preventable is devastating. While no legal action can change what happened, pursuing a birth injury claim may provide the financial resources necessary to secure specialized medical care, therapy, adaptive equipment, educational support, and other services that can improve your child's quality of life.

Renée Nordstrand-Black and Doug Black understand the challenges families face after a birth injury. Our Santa Barbara injury attorneys can investigate every claim, consult with qualified medical experts, and aggressively pursue compensation from negligent healthcare providers when the evidence supports a claim.

If your child suffered a birth injury in Santa Barbara and you believe medical negligence may have played a role, contact NordstrandBlack PC today for a free consultation.

Call (805) 962-2022 to discuss your family's legal options with an experienced birth injury lawyer.

Birth Injury FAQs

What is a birth injury?

A birth injury is a physical injury or medical condition that occurs before, during, or shortly after childbirth. While some birth injuries are unavoidable, others may result from medical negligence and could provide grounds for a legal claim.

When should I contact a birth injury lawyer?

You should speak with a birth injury lawyer as soon as you suspect that a medical error may have contributed to your child's injury. An attorney can evaluate your case, preserve important evidence, and explain your legal options before important deadlines expire.

How do I know if medical negligence caused my child's birth injury?

Determining whether medical negligence occurred often requires a thorough review of medical records and consultation with qualified medical experts. A birth injury lawyer can investigate the circumstances surrounding your child's delivery to determine whether the accepted standard of care was violated.

How much does it cost to hire a birth injury lawyer?

NordstrandBlack PC handles birth injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no attorney fees unless compensation is recovered on your behalf.

Will my birth injury case have to go to trial?

Many birth injury claims are resolved through negotiated settlements. However, if the healthcare provider or insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, your attorney may recommend taking the case to trial.

Meet Our Birth Injury Attorneys

Renée Nordstrand-Black

Renée Nordstrand-Black is the founding partner of NordstrandBlack PC and an accomplished California trial attorney who is dedicated to representing individuals and families affected by catastrophic injuries and wrongful death. Her practice focuses on complex personal injury litigation involving motor vehicle accidents, pedestrian and bicycle collisions, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, birth injuries, construction accidents, and other serious negligence claims. Renée is recognized for her strategic advocacy, meticulous case preparation, and unwavering commitment to protecting the rights of injured clients.

Doug Black

Doug Black is a dedicated trial attorney and partner of NordstrandBlack PC. He is committed to representing individuals and families whose lives have been changed by serious injuries caused by negligence. Doug approaches every case with careful preparation, attention to detail, and a dedication to protecting his clients' rights. He works closely with clients throughout the legal process, providing responsive communication and personalized guidance while pursuing the compensation they deserve. Doug is a strong advocate for injury victims and their families, helping them move forward with confidence after life-changing accidents.