595 Bay St., #301
Toronto, ON M5G 2C2
800-300-2452
More Information About Birth Injuries
- What information does a birth injury lawyer need?
- Should I hire a BILA lawyer?
- Common types of birth injuries
- Birth injury statistics for Ontario
About our Toronto Birth Injury Lawyers Alliance (BILA)
The Birth Injury Lawyers Alliance of Canada is a national network of personal injury and medical malpractice lawyers who specialize in supporting families affected by birth injuries. Our members are knowledgeable and caring advocates with access to experts in all aspects of birth injury to advocate for children and families.
Our Ontario Canada Birth Injury Lawyer
Richard Halpern has extensive technical knowledge related to medical malpractice cases. An important focus of his work is in seeking redress for children injured at or around the time of birth. He has obtained awards in excess of $10 million (although past results are not necessarily indicative of future outcomes).
Richard received the Distinguished Service Award for his dedication to the profession by the Ontario Bar Association in 2015. Richard is also a member of the Holland Group, an organization that supports equitable access to justice in medical malpractice cases. Both writer and lecturer, he regularly presents to professional groups, including physicians, nurses and lawyers.
How We Can Help You
Welcoming a child into your family is a joyous event. But if your child suffered a birth injury, you and your family may be angry, disheartened, and worry about your child’s future and how you will care for and support them. BILA works with families throughout Canada who learned that their child suffered a birth injury, and we are dedicated to helping parents and families who are navigating these challenges.
The team at BILA works to discover the facts of what happened, review your medical records, and work with medical experts. During your free consultation, you will be advised of the statute of limitation, which is the maximum amount of time you have to bring your matter to a court in your province and how the team professionals would conduct an investigation. While the future is uncertain for your child, you can know that BILA will advocate for your family.
What information does a Birth Injury Lawyer Need?
All you need to start a consultation with a BILA lawyer is to relay your story of what happened, when, and how your child is doing. Each province has different limitation periods, and our team will advise you on specifics for your area. If you choose to work with our team, we will give you an overview of how your potential claim will be handled and investigated.
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed and uncomfortable sharing your story. The lawyers and professionals at BILA have the empathy, knowledge, and experience to answer your questions and help you navigate the complexities of a birth injury.
Why should I hire a BILA Lawyer to handle my malpractice claim?
The Birth Injury Alliance of Canada is the only group of lawyers dedicated solely to birth injury claims and has members across the entire country. Each province has a team dedicated to advocating for families enduring the effects of medical malpractice.
If you suspect your child has suffered a birth injury, medical negligence or malpractice, contact us for a free case evaluation. There are no obligations, or charge, to have our experts review your facts. We have lawyers across the country (except Quebec).
Our lawyers work collaboratively in our network, sharing experience, knowledge, and resources across the country. Our team will help you find a lawyer who is committed to protecting your child’s best interests, and help level the playing field when it comes to fighting for your child’s rights.
What are Common Types of Birth Injuries?
Birth Injuries include a wide range of incidents that may occur before labour, during labour and delivery, or after the birth. Frequently, these injuries affect the brain of the newborn. Some birth injuries include:
- Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE). This injury can result when the brain is deprived of oxygen or blood flow during childbirth.
- Trauma from Vacuum or Forceps. The most common injuries from forceps and vacuums are hematoma and hemorrhage injuries.
Health Care Resources for Ontario
Women’s College Hospital/76 Grenville Street/Toronto, ON, M5S 1B2/Phone: 416-323-6400
Women’s Health Care Centre – Victoria Hospital/800 Commissioners Road/East London, ON N6A 5W9/Phone: 519-685-8500
Immigrant Women’s Health Centre/489 College Street, Suite 200/Phone: 416 323 9986/Email: info@immigranthealth.info
Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health/555 University Avenue/Toronto, Ontario/M5G 1X8/Canada/Phone: 416.813.8025/Email: info@pcmch.on.ca
BORN Ontario (Better Outcomes Registry and Network)/Centre for Practice-Changing Research Building (CPCR)/501 Smyth Road/Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6/Phone: 613-737-2404 or toll-free 1-855-881-BORN (2676)/E-mail: binformation@bornontario.ca
Birth Injury Statistics for Ontario
Induction
Approximately 24 percent of women in Ontario were induced between 2011 and 2012.
Preterm Birth
Rates of preterm births in Canada and worldwide have steadily increased between 2004/05 and 2010/11.
Premature delivery is associated with cerebral palsy and other significant health concerns.
One-third of cerebral palsy diagnoses are associated with an adverse obstetric event.
Complications During Birth
Compared with cesarean deliveries, midpelvic forceps and midpelvic vacuum deliveries lead to higher rates of maternal and infant trauma, according to a new study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal.
A Canadian Medical Association Journal study on the number of adverse events among hospital patients in Canada revealed that 30 percent to 50 percent of complications are preventable.
