Birmingham Infant Brain Damage Lawyer

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Infant brain damage shatters a family’s sense of safety. At Drake Injury Lawyers, I—Whit Drake, a Birmingham infant brain damage lawyer—have guided Alabama parents through this trauma for more than three decades. We understand the shock you feel, the urgent questions racing through your mind, and the lifelong impact a medical mistake can have on your child’s future.

Roughly 7 in 1,000 U.S. babies suffer a birth injury, and oxygen‑related brain damage is the most common. Our local team serves Birmingham, Homewood, Mountain Brook, Hoover, and families treated at UAB Women’s & Infants Center or St. Vincent’s Birmingham. The consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we secure compensation.

Whit Drake is a top-rated Birmingham personal injury attorney with over three decades of legal experience and more than $1 billion in settlements and verdicts secured for his clients. As the founder of Drake Injury Lawyers, he has led landmark cases—including Alabama’s largest wrongful death settlement—and has earned recognition from peers, including being voted a top attorney by Birmingham Magazine in 2019.

Why Choose Drake Injury Lawyers?

Parents deserve an advocate who pairs legal skill with genuine compassion.

Decades of Results & Experience — Our Birmingham brain injury attorneys have recovered more than $1 billion for catastrophically injured clients, achieving a 99 percent success rate.
Personal Attention — We meet families at home, in the NICU, or wherever help is needed.
Medical Insight — We consult neonatologists, pediatric neurologists, and nurse experts to decode complex records and pinpoint errors quickly.
Alabama Courtroom Strength — I am a lifelong Alabama resident and award‑winning trial lawyer trusted in Jefferson County courts.
No Fee Unless We Win — You face no retainer, hourly bills, or out‑of‑pocket costs.

“Let me say from my experiences a client for G. Whit Drake is not about lining his pocket. He will adjust his amount based on your settlement. He serves his clients fairly and with a kind heart. He will fight to the end without calling and pestering his clients.” – A.W.

What Is Infant Brain Damage?

Infant brain damage is an injury to a baby’s brain before, during, or shortly after birth. A brief loss of oxygen, direct trauma, bleeding, or untreated infection can injure delicate brain tissue and lead to conditions such as cerebral palsy or developmental delays. Many cases are preventable when medical teams follow proper standards of care. Families who suspect negligence deserve fast answers and resources to support lifelong needs.

Common Types of Infant Brain Injuries

Can a Lack of Oxygen at Birth Cause Brain Damage (HIE)?

Yes. Hypoxic‑Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) results when a baby’s brain is deprived of oxygen and blood flow for even a few minutes. Untreated fetal distress, cord prolapse, or placental abruption are leading culprits. Babies often require cooling therapy and may face motor or cognitive challenges later.

What Is Cerebral Palsy and How Is It Linked to Infant Brain Injury?

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a lifelong movement disorder that frequently stems from oxygen deprivation or head trauma during delivery. Early signs include muscle stiffness or floppy limbs and delayed milestones. Because CP often reflects preventable errors, it is central to many birth‑injury lawsuits.

What Is an Infant Brain Hemorrhage (Brain Bleed)?

An intracranial hemorrhage is bleeding inside or around a newborn’s brain. Excessive force from forceps, vacuum extractors, or prolonged labor can tear fragile vessels, causing seizures or lifelong disabilities. Prompt diagnosis and pressure relief are critical, yet many severe bleeds trace back to delivery‑room mistakes.

Less‑Common Causes of Infant Brain Damage

Can Severe Jaundice Cause Kernicterus?

Yes. Extreme jaundice that goes untreated allows bilirubin to reach toxic levels, leading to kernicterus, an avoidable brain injury that can cause hearing loss and motor problems.

Can a Baby Have a Stroke at Birth?

Neonatal stroke, though rare, can occur from blood clots, trauma, or maternal conditions. Missed warning signs or delayed treatment may leave a child with seizures or developmental delays.

Can Infections Lead to Newborn Brain Damage?

Untreated maternal or neonatal infections—such as Group B strep or meningitis—can inflame brain tissue. Failure to screen mothers or administer antibiotics breaks hospital protocols and can justify a malpractice claim.

Negligent Acts That Cause Infant Brain Injuries

Many infant brain injuries are preventable medical errors.

Ignored Fetal Distress
Delayed Cesarean Section
Improper Forceps or Vacuum Use
Medication Errors (e.g., Pitocin overuse)
Inadequate Prenatal Monitoring
Poor Neonatal Care Post‑Delivery

My team reviews every strip, chart, and witness statement to identify each misstep and prove how it harmed your child.

Who May Be Liable?

Liability rests on whoever breached the medical standard of care: obstetricians, delivery nurses, anesthesiologists, neonatal specialists, hospitals, or even equipment manufacturers. Drake Injury Lawyers identifies every negligent party to maximize your family’s recovery.

Compensation We Seek for Your Child

Medical Costs — Labor, NICU, surgeries, therapy, medications, assistive devices, home modifications.
Long‑Term Care & Education — In‑home nursing, special education, adaptive technology; lifetime costs can exceed $1 million.
Lost Parental Income — Wages forfeited while caring for the child.
Pain, Suffering, and Emotional Distress — For the child’s hardship and the family’s anguish.
Permanent Disability — Funds for lost future earning capacity and diminished quality of life.
Punitive Damages — In egregious cases, to punish reckless conduct.

Filing Deadline in Alabama

Alabama generally allows two years to file a medical‑malpractice claim. For injuries to children younger than four, parents may file any time before the child’s eighth birthday. Acting quickly protects vital evidence and avoids statutory pitfalls.

Expected Timeline

Birth‑injury litigation is complex. Some clear‑liability cases settle in six to twelve months, but matters requiring multiple experts or a jury trial can take two to three years. We press for prompt resolution without sacrificing full value.

How Our Birmingham Infant Brain Injury Lawyers Help

Investigate Quickly — Secure records, interview witnesses, consult experts.
Build a Strong Case — Handle filings, depositions, and expert testimony.
Relieve Your Stress — Manage all deadlines and negotiations so you can focus on your child.
Maximize Recovery — Negotiate aggressively; ready for trial if insurers refuse a fair settlement.
Offer Compassionate Guidance — Connect you with medical and community resources.

Cost to Hire Us

It costs nothing upfront to hire our Birmingham infant brain damage attorneys. We work solely on contingency: no recovery, no fee, no reimbursement of expenses.

Wrongful‑Death Claims for Infant Brain Injury

If medical negligence causes an infant’s death, parents may pursue a wrongful‑death claim. Alabama’s punitive‑damage‑focused statutes hold wrongdoers accountable, and our team handles these cases with utmost compassion and determination.

Steps to Take If You Suspect Malpractice

Request Medical Records immediately.
Document Everything you remember and observe.
Seek a Second Medical Opinion from a trusted specialist.
Contact Drake Injury Lawyers as soon as possible for a free review.

Time is critical—early investigation preserves evidence and strengthens your case.

Contact Drake Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation

You do not have to face this alone. Call (205) 679‑5193 or send us a message today to speak with an experienced Birmingham infant brain injury attorney. Our office at 2 Perimeter Park South #510E, Birmingham, AL 35243 is convenient for families throughout Jefferson County, and we gladly travel to homes or hospitals. The consultation is free, confidential, and the fastest way to protect your child’s future.