Iowa Birth Injury Lawyers | Medical Malpractice Trial Attorneys
Last updated on September 11, 2026
The most important thing for all prospective parents is the health of their newborn baby. While almost all births in hospitals are handled properly by highly qualified medical professionals, negligence before, during or immediately after birth can result in lifelong complications.
If your child suffered an injury during or immediately after birth, you may be able to hold the doctor or hospital in question liable. If your child’s injury was a result of medical negligence, you could be entitled to compensation, and Slater Law, LLC, can help. With more than 40 years of combined experience, our Des Moines birth injury attorneys focus on helping fellow Iowans and their families. As a father-daughter trial team, we pursue justice for injured Iowans and take the time to understand what happened.
When Labor Monitoring Falls Short
During labor, medical teams must closely monitor the mother and baby. Fetal heart rate monitoring can reveal signs of distress that require prompt action. When providers miss these signs or fail to respond appropriately, a delay can put a baby at risk. We review the medical records and timing of care to determine whether negligence may have contributed to an injury.
Oxygen Deprivation And Brain Injuries
Oxygen deprivation before or during delivery can cause serious brain injuries. When fetal distress develops, a delayed response can increase the risk of lasting harm. We examine whether failures involving monitoring, treatment, infection or communication contributed to the injury. Learn more about brain injuries caused by medical malpractice.
Physical Trauma During Delivery
Some birth injuries result from physical trauma during delivery. Improper use of forceps or a vacuum extractor, excessive force, or a failure to respond to shoulder dystocia can cause lasting harm. We examine the circumstances of the delivery to determine whether a medical provider could have prevented or reduced the injury.
Birth Injury Cases Across Iowa
We represent families throughout Iowa, including those whose children received care at major medical centers such as University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital and MercyOne.
A difficult birth does not automatically mean malpractice. We examine the full record to determine whether a medical provider may have failed to meet the required standard of care.
We look closely at the details of difficult cases to determine what happened and whether negligence contributed to your child’s injury. When appropriate, we pursue compensation that can help address the child’s long-term care needs.
Get Help Caring For Your Child
A child’s life will never be the same after a birth injury. As a result, your child may need lifelong care to preserve their dignity and quality of life. At Slater Law, LLC, we seek verdicts and settlements that cover the true cost of birth injuries and related conditions, such as:
- Erb’s palsy
- Shoulder dystocia
- Cerebral palsy
- Developmental disabilities
Most birth injuries can be prevented or treated properly if doctors, nurses and others properly communicate and closely monitor the child. If they acted negligently by failing to monitor your child and act accordingly, our attorneys will fight to ensure they are held accountable for the damages that happened as a result.
We focus on end-of-day results and are available to serve all of your needs. Having a child suffer a birth injury is a traumatic experience, and you should not have to handle it alone.
Answering Your Birth Injury Questions
Understanding the complexities of birth injury cases can be challenging. When we represent you through your birth injury claims, we will also take the time to answer your questions, including ones such as:
What causes birth injuries?
Birth injuries can occur due to a variety of factors. In some cases, birth injuries cannot be predicted or prevented. They may be attributed to genetic abnormalities, prolonged/difficult labor or other issues not necessarily related to medical care.
However, many birth injuries are caused or exacerbated by medical negligence. Common causes include:
- Improper use of medical instruments such as vacuum extractors and forceps
- Failure to monitor fetal distress during labor
- Oxygen deprivation to the baby during birth
- Infections in the mother that are not properly diagnosed and treated
- Excessive force applied during delivery
- Medication errors during labor and delivery
It can be difficult for the average person to know whether their child’s injuries were caused by the negligence of medical professionals. That’s why it is important to consult with a knowledgeable attorney experienced in birth injury litigation.
How can brain injuries occur at birth?
Brain injuries at birth can occur due to several factors, including oxygen deprivation, physical trauma during delivery or untreated infections. As birth injury attorneys, we take the time to review the details of your claim to determine the ultimate cause of the birth injuries.
What is the statute of limitations for birth injuries in Iowa?
In Iowa, parents can file a malpractice claim on behalf of their injured child until the child reaches the age of 10. However, parents must file a consortium claim within two years. There can be exceptions for cases involving minors. Give yourself the time you deserve for your claim by contacting us as soon as possible after your injuries.
What are some potential signs of cerebral palsy?
It can be difficult to spot the signs of cerebral palsy in your child. Some early indicators include delayed milestones in a child, abnormal muscle tone, poor coordination, tremors and trouble with speech or eating. If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to consult a medical professional for a thorough evaluation.
What are some of the long-term costs of birth injuries?
The long-term costs associated with birth injuries can be extensive and impact various aspects of life. They often include ongoing medical care and treatments to manage the child’s condition. Physical therapy and rehabilitation services may be necessary to help the child develop essential skills. Special education and learning support might be required to address developmental challenges.
Additionally, families might need to invest in assistive devices, mobility aids and home modifications to support the child’s daily activities. Parents may also face lost wages if they need to take time off work to provide care. Lastly, emotional and psychological support for both the child and family can be critical in coping with the effects of the injury.
As you can imagine, the costs of these necessities can quickly become unaffordable without obtaining full and fair compensation from the at-fault parties.
How do I know if I have a birth injury case?
Key factors in a birth injury claim include evidence of medical negligence, such as failure to monitor the baby or mother properly, delays in necessary interventions or improper use of delivery tools. Evidence to support your claim can fade with time, which is why you should act as soon as possible after a birth injury to start your claim.
Who can be held legally liable for birth injuries in Iowa?
In Iowa, liability for birth injuries extends to the professionals who directly treat the mother and baby, as well as their employers and managers. Liable parties might include doctors and obstetricians, nurses and other medical staff, and the hospital or medical facility where the birth occurred.
Additionally, if defective medical equipment may have caused or contributed to the child’s injuries, companies manufacturing that equipment may share liability.
Iowa Birth Injury Lawyers Here For Your Family
If your baby suffered a preventable birth injury in Iowa, contact our experienced Iowa birth injury attorneys today for a confidential case review. Call us at 866-412-5937 or a free initial consultation or send us a message through our website.