Rhode Island Birth Injury Lawyer

Fact-Checked and Medically Reviewed by:
Katie Lavender, RN Registered Nurse
Quick Answer

Many birth injuries could have been prevented and caused by medical negligence. If your child suffered a birth injury in Rhode Island, you may be eligible to file a birth injury lawsuit. Find out if our Rhode Island birth injury attorneys can help you win financial compensation to pay for your child’s treatment.

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Working With a Birth Injury Lawyer in Rhode Island

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Birth injury lawsuits are a type of legal action filed against negligent doctors, nurses, or other healthcare providers that caused a preventable birth injury to a child.

Since birth injury cases are subject to state law, it is critical to work with a birth injury lawyer in the state where the negligence occurred.

A Rhode Island birth injury attorney will be familiar with filing medical malpractice claims and make the legal process as stress-free as possible. Your attorney will file your claim, collect evidence, strengthen your case, and work to win compensation for your family.

Birth injury lawsuit compensation can be used to pay for treatments like medication, surgery, therapy, adaptive equipment, mobility devices, and more.

We have helped families near you.

Our partner law firms can represent families in the following areas:

  • Barrington
  • Bristol
  • Central Falls
  • Coventry
  • Cranston
  • Cumberland
  • East Greenwich
  • Jamestown
  • Johnston
  • Kingstown
  • Newport
  • Pawtucket
  • Providence
  • Warwick
  • Westerly
  • Woonsocket
  • Other cities

If you believe your child’s injury was caused by medical negligence, talk to one of our registered nurses today to learn more about next steps.

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Birth Injuries and Medical Negligence

Doctors and medical professionals are expected to follow specific treatment guidelines to uphold a high standard of care based on the current scientific evidence available.

Medical mistakes made during the delivery process can result in serious and even permanent injury to a baby. When an injury requires lifelong medical treatment, families must pay for the special care that they never planned for.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), medical expenses for children with cerebral palsy and an intellectual disability were 26 times higher than those without the conditions.

A birth injury lawsuit may be the only hope for families who do not have the money to pay for this unexpected care created by medical negligence.

Examples of Medical Negligence

Situations that may be considered medical negligence during the birthing process include:

  • Failure to detect and/or treat any signs of fetal distress
  • Failure to detect and/or treat signs of oxygen deprivation or hypoxia
  • Failure to perform a C-section (cesarean section) promptly
  • Improper use of assistive delivery tools, including vacuum extractor or forceps
  • Use of excessive force on a child’s head, neck, arms, or shoulders

If you believe your child’s injury was caused by medical negligence, you may be able to work with a Rhode Island birth injury lawyer.

Types of Cases Rhode Island Birth Injury Attorneys Work On

Rhode Island birth injury lawyers represent families affected by a variety of birth injuries.

The types of cases that Rhode Island birth injury lawyers handle include:

If your child suffered from an injury listed above, you may qualify for financial compensation. Get a free consultation to learn more today.

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Do you suspect your child’s birth injury was caused by medical malpractice?

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Notable Birth Injury Settlements in Rhode Island

Birth injury cases are not all resolved in the same way, which is why it is very important to work with a skilled Rhode Island birth injury attorney. Experienced birth injury lawyers understand that the circumstances of each family are unique.

Most personal injury lawsuits are resolved through a settlement, which is a negotiated agreement to pay a lump sum of money to the family (plaintiffs). Settlements typically take less time and money than going to trial, so most lawyers will try to settle out of court.

Notable Rhode Island Birth Injury Settlements and Verdicts


  • $5 million

    awarded for a birth injury


  • $4 million

    settlement for a birth injury


  • $3 million

    verdict for brain damage


  • $1.2 million

    verdict for a brachial plexus nerve injury

It is important to note that verdict and settlement amounts vary depending on the unique fact pattern of each case, including whether it is a serious injury. Amounts are determined by the types of birth injuries, causes of birth injuries, how much lifelong medical care will cost, and more.

Working with a Rhode Island birth injury lawyer is the best way to learn how much compensation you may be awarded by filing a medical malpractice claim.

When Should I File a Lawsuit in Rhode Island?

You should contact a Rhode Island personal injury attorney without delay due to the state’s statute of limitations.

The statute of limitations is a specific deadline for how long an individual has to file a legal claim. Each state determines its own statute of limitations but they are usually only a few years in personal injury law, such as medical malpractice cases or wrongful death.

Therefore, it is important to work with an experienced medical malpractice attorney to help you file within the following statutes of limitations for Rhode Island:


  • 3 Years

    RI Statute of Limitations for Birth Injuries


  • 3 Years

    RI Statute of Limitations for Infant Wrongful Death

If you do not file your lawsuit within the allotted time frame in the state of Rhode Island, you will be forever prevented from filing a claim or pursuing legal compensation.

Get a free case evaluation today to learn if you are qualified to receive financial compensation.

Get Help from a Rhode Island Birth Injury Lawyer

gavel and stethoscope

Doctors and other healthcare providers who are trusted to deliver babies are expected to do so without mistakes that lead to birth injuries. When they fail to meet the standard of care, it may be considered medical negligence.

Medical errors by careless healthcare professionals can result in permanent injuries that lead to a lifetime of complications and specialized treatment.

The costs of treating a severe birth injury can be financially devastating and are almost always unplanned by unsuspecting families. Thankfully, there are options to help your child get the treatment they deserve.

If you believe your child’s birth injury was caused by medical negligence that occurred in the state of Rhode Island, you may be eligible to file a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Find out if you can join the many other families who have been awarded life-changing compensation. These critical funds can help pay for your child’s treatment.

Get a free case review today to learn if you are qualified to receive financial compensation.

Rhode Island Birth Injury Lawyer FAQs

What is the statute of limitations on birth injury claims in Rhode Island?

The statute of limitations for Rhode Island birth injury medical malpractice and infant wrongful death claims are both 3 years.

It is urgent to take legal action without delay. You will forever lose your right to sue if you do not file your lawsuit within the statute of limitations.

How much does a Rhode Island birth injury attorney cost?

Top Rhode Island birth injury attorneys should come at no cost to you. Experienced birth injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means they do not charge any fees unless your case is successful.

Instead, your Rhode Island birth injury lawyer will take a percentage of the compensation you are awarded when your case resolves. This money is used to cover the legal costs that were incurred processing your birth injury lawsuit.

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

The best way to learn if your child’s birth injury or death was caused by medical negligence is to contact a Rhode Island birth injury lawyer without delay.

If a lawyer finds that your child’s injury was caused by medical negligence, you will be able to file a lawsuit. Rhode Island birth injury lawyers have the experience, expertise, and resources needed to evaluate your case and see if your child’s birth injury was preventable.

Get a free case review today to learn if your child’s birth injury was caused by medical negligence.

Birth Injury Support Team
Reviewed by:Katie Lavender, RN

Registered Nurse

  • Fact-Checked
  • Editor

Katie Lavender has over 8 years of experience as a Registered Nurse in postpartum mother/baby care. With hands-on experience in Labor and Delivery and a role as a Community Educator for newborn care, Katie is a staunch advocate for patient rights and education. As a Medical Reviewer, she is committed to ensuring accurate and trustworthy patient information.

The Birth Injury Justice Center was founded in 2003 by a team of legal professionals to educate and empower victims and families affected by birth injuries. Our team is devoted to providing you with the best resources and legal information for all types of birth injuries.

View Sources
  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, May 2). Data and statistics for cerebral palsy. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from https://archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/ncbddd/cp/data.html