
Birth Fracture Attorney in Kansas City
Your Kansas City Partner for Birth Fracture Legal Support
A birth fracture can turn a joyful day into a medical and financial crisis. If your child suffered a fractured clavicle, humerus, skull, or other bone injury during labor and delivery in Kansas City, you deserve clear answers and a path forward. Bertram & Graf, L.L.C. helps families understand what happened, who is responsible, and how to pursue fair compensation for lifelong needs.
Our firm focuses on medical negligence cases involving birth fractures across Kansas City and nearby Missouri communities. We know how hospitals and insurers defend these claims, and we build carefully documented cases that put your child’s health and future first.
Request a free, confidential birth injury case evaluation today. No-Obligation Consultation.
Kansas City Birth Fractures and Medical Negligence
Birth fractures can occur when medical providers fail to recognize risk factors or follow accepted standards during labor and delivery. When a preventable injury happens because of improper technique or poor decision-making, Missouri law allows families to pursue a civil claim for damages.
Birth fractures often arise in scenarios such as shoulder dystocia, prolonged or stalled labor, misuse of delivery instruments, or failure to timely move to a cesarean delivery when fetal or maternal distress is present. Our role is to identify whether the care provided met the standards reasonably expected of trained professionals in similar circumstances.
Common Birth Fractures and Warning Signs
The most frequently reported birth-related bone injuries include:
- Clavicle fractures present with limited arm movement, asymmetrical Moro reflex, or tenderness along the collarbone.
- Humerus or forearm fractures that cause swelling, deformity, or noticeable discomfort with handling.
- Skull fractures that may appear with swelling, bruising, or neurologic symptoms and require prompt imaging and monitoring.
- Rib or hip fractures, less common but serious, especially in complicated, instrument-assisted deliveries.
Parents and caregivers may first notice decreased movement in one arm, unusual crying when the baby is moved, swelling, or visible irregularities. Documentation of symptoms, prompt pediatric evaluation, and appropriate imaging are crucial both for medical care and for any legal claim.
How Bertram & Graf, L.L.C. Builds Your Case
Our approach is thorough, step by step, and focused on uncovering the full truth of what happened during labor and delivery.
- Intake and timeline reconstruction: We collect prenatal records, labor and delivery notes, nursing flowsheets, and neonatal records, then construct a minute-by-minute timeline of critical decisions and events.
- Independent review by qualified medical professionals: We engage board-certified physicians and relevant clinicians to evaluate whether standards of care were met and to identify departures that likely caused the fracture.
- Causation analysis: We connect provider decisions to the injury through medical literature, records, and testimony, distinguishing unavoidable complications from preventable harm.
- Damages assessment: We document current and anticipated medical care, therapy needs, parental time off work, and impacts on development to present a comprehensive demand.
Evidence That Often Makes the Difference
- Electronic fetal monitoring strips and nursing annotations that reveal how warning signs were handled
- Operative and instrument use notes, including traction forces and the number of attempts
- Imaging studies and pediatric assessments documenting the type and age of the fracture
- Hospital policies and training materials relevant to shoulder dystocia maneuvers and assisted delivery protocols
- Communications and incident reports are created immediately after delivery
What Compensation Can Cover
Every case is unique, but recoverable damages in a Kansas City birth fracture claim may include the costs of hospital care, follow-up with pediatric orthopedics, physical and occupational therapy, in-home assistance, medical devices, and transportation. Claims can also pursue compensation for pain and suffering, scarring or disfigurement, and the practical burdens placed on a family while a child heals and grows. When the evidence shows long-term effects on development or function, we work with life care planners to quantify future needs.
Why Families Choose Bertram & Graf, L.L.C.
Families turn to Bertram & Graf for meticulous case preparation and courtroom readiness. Our team understands how to present complex medical timelines in plain, persuasive language for insurers, mediators, and juries. Former Federal Prosecutor On Your Side means we bring disciplined investigation, strategic negotiation, and trial-tested advocacy to every case we accept.
We intentionally limit our caseload so we can respond quickly, keep you informed, and adapt as your child’s needs evolve. From the first consultation through resolution, you will know who is handling your case and what to expect next.
The Legal Process in Missouri Birth Fracture Cases
Medical negligence claims move through several stages. After the initial record review and medical analysis, we notify responsible parties and their insurers, then make a comprehensive demand. Many cases resolve through negotiation or mediation. If a fair settlement is not offered, we file suit and move into discovery, where depositions and deep evaluations take place. We prepare every case as if it will be tried, which helps position families for strong outcomes at the bargaining table or in court.
Missouri law imposes strict deadlines and procedural requirements in medical negligence cases. Early legal involvement helps protect evidence, meet filing requirements, and preserve your family’s rights.
Protecting Your Child’s Future
Even when bones heal, birth fractures can have consequences that surface over time, including range-of-motion limits, nerve involvement associated with shoulder dystocia, or developmental delays from prolonged pain or immobilization. We work to secure the resources necessary for continued pediatric care, therapeutic support, and monitoring so your child has the best chance to thrive.
What To Do If You Suspect a Birth Fracture
- Seek prompt medical evaluation with pediatric imaging and follow-up scheduling.
- Document symptoms with dates, photos, and notes on limitations or pain cues.
- Request copies of prenatal, delivery, and neonatal records. Keep all discharge instructions.
- Avoid discussing fault with hospital representatives or insurers before speaking with counsel.
- Contact a Kansas City birth fracture lawyer to understand options and next steps.
Our Local Insight, Your Family’s Advantage
Kansas City families benefit from counsel that understands local hospitals, clinics, and defense strategies. We coordinate with area pediatric and rehabilitation providers, meet clients where they are, and file cases in the courts that serve Kansas City and surrounding communities in Missouri. That local familiarity helps us anticipate challenges, streamline logistics, and keep your case moving.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a birth fracture, and how is it different from a fracture later in childhood?
A birth fracture is a bone injury that occurs during labor and delivery. Because newborn bones and growth plates are developing, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term monitoring differ from fractures that occur later in childhood.
How do I know if my baby’s fracture was caused by negligence?
Not every fracture signals negligence, but warning signs include delayed response to shoulder dystocia, excessive traction, improper use of delivery instruments, or failure to convert to a cesarean when indicated. A detailed record review by qualified medical professionals is needed to assess standards of care and causation.
What if the hospital says the injury is common and will heal on its own?
Some clavicle fractures do heal with appropriate care, but that does not excuse preventable harm. A legal review focuses on whether the provider followed accepted practices and whether better decisions would likely have prevented the injury and its consequences.
Will filing a claim affect my baby’s medical care?
Your child’s care comes first. Pursuing a claim should not interfere with treatment. We coordinate with your providers and obtain records through proper channels to keep the legal process separate from medical decisions.
How long do these cases take?
Timelines vary. Some cases settle after a thorough pre-suit presentation. Others require litigation and specialist depositions. Early investigation positions your family for the most efficient path to a full and fair resolution.
How are legal fees handled?
We offer a free consultation. If we accept your case, fee arrangements are discussed clearly and in writing so you know what to expect. We can talk through options that align with your family’s needs.
What information should I bring to an initial consultation?
Bring prenatal records, delivery discharge papers, imaging reports, a list of providers seen after birth, and any notes you have kept about symptoms or limitations. Photos and a timeline of events are also helpful.
Take the first step toward answers and support in Kansas City
Your family does not have to navigate this alone. Speak with a Kansas City birth fracture attorney who will investigate what happened, preserve evidence, and pursue the resources your child needs to move forward.
Call (888) 398-2277 today to connect with our birth fracture lawyer in Kansas City who will support you through each step of the process.