Maryland Birth Injury Lawyer When a delivery goes wrong, families are left with questions no parent should have to ask. Why did this happen? Could it have been prevented? Who is responsible for the lifetime of care our child now needs? The Castro Law Group has helped Maryland families find answers since 1993. Our birth injury lawyers represent parents and children harmed by medical negligence during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. We work with medical experts. We build cases that meet Maryland’s strict rules. And we fight for the compensation families need. Call (301) 870-1200 for a free consultation. What Counts as a Birth Injury in Maryland? A birth injury is physical harm to a baby or mother. It happens when something goes wrong during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. It is not the same as a birth defect, which is a genetic or developmental condition that begins in the womb. Birth injuries are often preventable. They happen when a doctor, nurse, or hospital fails to meet the standard of care during childbirth. Common examples include: Failure to order a timely C-section when the baby or mother shows signs of distress Improper use of forceps or vacuum extraction tools Failure to monitor oxygen levels and fetal heart rate Untreated maternal conditions like preeclampsia or gestational diabetes Medication errors during labor Delayed response to umbilical cord problems Mismanagement of a shoulder dystocia delivery These mistakes can cause cerebral palsy, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), Erb’s palsy, skull fractures, and permanent brain damage. In the worst cases, they cause infant or maternal death. How Maryland Birth Injury Cases Work Maryland medical malpractice cases have rules that other injury claims do not. Two of the most important are the statute of limitations and the certificate of qualified expert. The Statute of Limitations for Birth Injuries Under Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings §5-109, a claim must be filed within the earlier of: Five years from the date of the injury Three years from the date the injury was discovered For children injured before age 11, the law gives extra time. The clock does not start until the child turns 11. That rule controls when a claim must be filed on the child’s behalf. Parents’ own claims often run on a shorter timeline. Because deadlines differ for parent and child, speak with a birth injury lawyer early. The Certificate of Qualified Expert Maryland requires a certificate of qualified expert before a malpractice case can move forward. A qualified health care provider must review the records. They must certify that the standard of care was breached. They must also certify that the breach caused the injury. Without this certificate, the case will not proceed. This is why birth injury claims need a law firm with medical experts on call. What Compensation Is Available? Maryland law allows families to pursue two types of damages. Economic damages cover the actual costs the family will face over the child’s lifetime. There is no cap on these damages. They can include: Past and future medical bills Therapy, surgery, and specialized equipment In-home or institutional care Special education costs Lost earning capacity for the child Lost wages for a parent who leaves work to provide care Noneconomic damages cover pain, suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Maryland caps these damages in medical malpractice cases. The cap is set by statute and adjusts each year. The amount that applies depends on when the injury happened. Your lawyer can explain the current cap during your consultation. Why Families Across Maryland Choose the Castro Law Group Since 1993, founding attorney Robert Castro and his team have served families in Charles County, Prince George’s County, Calvert County, St. Mary’s County, and across Maryland. Our firm has handled more than 10,000 cases and recovered over $150 million for personal injury clients firm-wide. Birth injury cases require more than legal experience. They require a firm willing to invest in expert medical review, lifecare planning, and resources to build a strong case. We work directly with obstetricians, neonatologists, and pediatric neurologists. They help us investigate what happened in the delivery room and why. Our office is at 11701 Central Avenue, Suite 200, in Waldorf, Maryland. We meet families where they are. Free consultations let you understand your options before making any decisions. What to Do If You Suspect a Birth Injury If your child is showing signs of a birth injury, take these steps right away: Get medical care. Document every diagnosis, test, and treatment. Ask for copies of all medical records. Write down what you remember. Names of staff, time of decisions, what was said. Do not give a recorded statement to a hospital risk manager or insurance representative. Talk to a birth injury lawyer. An early conversation costs nothing and protects your options. Talk to a Maryland Birth Injury Lawyer Today A birth injury changes a family’s life forever. But you do not have to face the medical system, the insurance companies, and the legal deadlines alone. The Castro Law Group is here to listen, investigate, and fight for the care and compensation your child deserves. Call (301) 870-1200 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a Maryland birth injury lawyer. Frequently Asked Questions What is the statute of limitations for a birth injury in Maryland? A medical malpractice case in Maryland must be filed within five years of the injury or three years of when it was discovered, whichever comes first. For a child injured before age 11, the clock does not start until the child turns 11. Parent claims run on a shorter timeline, so speak with a lawyer early. What is the difference between a birth injury and a birth defect? A birth injury is physical harm caused by something that went wrong during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. A birth defect is a genetic or developmental condition that begins in the womb. Birth injuries are often preventable. Birth defects usually are not. Do I need a medical expert to file a birth injury claim in Maryland? Yes. Maryland law requires a certificate of qualified expert before a medical malpractice case can move forward. A qualified health care provider must certify that the standard of care was breached and that the breach caused the injury. Does the Castro Law Group offer free consultations for birth injury cases? Yes. We offer free consultations for all birth injury and medical malpractice cases. Call (301) 870-1200 to speak with our team and learn whether you have a claim. Does the Castro Law Group handle cases outside Waldorf? Yes. Our office is in Waldorf, and we represent families across Maryland, including Charles County, Prince George’s County, Calvert County, and St. Mary’s County. How long does a birth injury case take in Maryland? Every case is different. Some cases settle within a year. Others take longer because birth injury claims require detailed medical review, expert testimony, and full understanding of the child’s long-term care needs.
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