If a living child suffers a birth injury because of the negligence of a doctor or hospital, the damages awarded can include the following:
- past and future medical expenses
- costs for necessary home modifications
- the physical pain and suffering of the child
- the emotional distress of the child
- future rehabilitation treatments or therapies
- lifelong supportive care
- costs for equipment needed to care for the child
A parent can also receive compensation for lost wages should the parent not be able to work any longer in order to provide specialized care to the child. Additionally, a mother may recover damages for emotional distress, even in the absence of an independent injury, if medical malpractice results in miscarriage or stillbirth.