When you’re preparing to welcome a baby into the world, your focus is on hope, love, and the joy of growing your family, not enduring the trauma of a birth injury.
But for some families in Santa Ana, a routine childbirth experience turns into a lifetime of unexpected challenges due to a hospital’s failure to provide safe and responsible care.
At Hodes Milman, we represent local families, including those who have trusted local hospitals such as Orange County Global Medical Center, Santa Ana Medical Center, and CHOC Children’s at Mission Hospital. When a hospital or doctor in Santa Ana makes a preventable error during labor or delivery, we step in to help families find answers and fight for accountability.
If your child was injured during birth, speak with a Santa Ana birth injury attorney today at (949) 640-8222 or message us online. The consultation is free.
They Helped My Family Find Justice When No One Else Would
“My daughter was born with a disability due to doctor neglect. I emailed over 200 lawyers over a 2-year time span. I had ONE lawyer believe in my case and he worked with Jeff Milman over the next year helping build my case. Jeff won my case and I cannot thank him enough for believing in me!! He was so pleasant to work with and professional. I will forever be thankful to him and his team.”
— Kymbirley B., Verified Client Testimonial
Many parents reach out to a birth injury lawyer in Santa Ana only after months—or even years—of confusion, uncertainty, and unanswered questions. They’ve spoken to doctors and hospitals but they still don’t have clarity about why their child was injured.
Our job is to help get those answers. And when a hospital or physician in Santa Ana fails to follow basic safety protocols, we hold them accountable.
Most Birth Injuries Can Be Avoided
Childbirth is typically very safe when medical teams follow proper protocols, monitor both mother and baby closely, and respond to warning signs without delay. Sadly, many of the birth injury cases we handle in Santa Ana happen because providers failed to act when it mattered most.
Some of the most common medical errors we see during labor and delivery include:
- Not ordering an emergency C-section when fetal distress is apparent;
- Improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors, resulting in nerve or brain damage;
- Delays in treating maternal infections or managing abnormal blood pressure;
- Incorrect administration of labor-inducing medications like Pitocin; and
- Failure to recognize and treat postnatal complications, including jaundice.
Through our investigations, we’ve reviewed delivery records from Orange County Global Medical Center and other Santa Ana hospitals, which reveal how seemingly minor missteps, particularly during night shifts or staff shortages, can lead to life-altering harm for newborns.
In Conversation: Dan Hodes on Complex Malpractice Injury Cases
If you’re interested in learning more about how birth injury and medical malpractice cases are handled, listen to this episode featuring Dan Hodes, managing partner at Hodes Milman:
In this podcast, Dan shares insights from over 40 years of experience representing families in complex cases, including those involving birth injuries. He discusses how these claims are evaluated, what legal teams look for, and what families may expect when pursuing a case.
The Birth Injuries We Handle in Santa Ana
Many of the families we support are navigating the lifelong impact of birth injuries, which can be linked to delayed decisions or improper medical care during labor and delivery.
The most common birth injuries we see include:
- Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE): A brain injury caused by oxygen deprivation during birth, which can lead to developmental delays, seizures, and motor skill challenges.
- Cerebral palsy: Often tied to trauma or a lack of oxygen, this condition affects muscle control and coordination, sometimes requiring lifelong mobility assistance.
- Erb’s palsy and brachial plexus injuries: Nerve damage caused by improper handling of shoulder dystocia, limiting arm movement or function.
- Brain bleeds and skull fractures: Frequently linked to misuse of delivery tools (forceps or vacuum extractors), especially during high-stress deliveries.
- Kernicterus: A rare but entirely preventable brain injury caused by untreated severe jaundice in newborns.
These injuries can affect everything from movement and muscle tone to speech, cognition, and daily independence. Most children will need ongoing therapies, adaptive equipment, special education services, and, in many cases, round-the-clock care.
If your child suffered a birth injury, don’t wait for the hospital to offer an explanation. Let us review the delivery records and determine whether the injury was preventable.
Contact a Santa Ana birth injury attorney at (949) 640-8222 or online today for a free case review.
How a Birth Injury Lawsuit Can Help Santa Ana Families
When a newborn is harmed because of medical negligence, no amount of compensation can truly undo the damage. However, it can help a family move forward by easing the financial burden and providing access to the resources a child needs for a better quality of life.
A birth injury claim may help cover:
- Hospital bills, NICU expenses, and follow-up specialist care
- Developmental therapies like occupational, physical, and speech therapy
- In-home nursing support, home modifications, and transportation needs
- Medical equipment, including wheelchairs, adaptive tools, and mobility aids
- Lost income for parents who leave the workforce to become full-time caregivers
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress—for both the child and their loved ones
The reality is that families who try to handle claims themselves often face significant challenges. A nationwide legal survey conducted by Martindale-Nolo found that:
Over 90% of people who hired a lawyer received a settlement or award, compared to approximately 50% of those who handled their claim on their own.
Partnering with an experienced Santa Ana birth injury lawyer offers more than legal strategy—it brings peace of mind.
“We know families are dealing with unimaginable stress. Our role is to lift the legal burden off their shoulders and fight for the future their child deserves.”
— Jeffrey A. Milman, Founding Attorney
What Justice Has Meant for the Families Behind the Cases
Our Santa Ana birth injury law firm has had the privilege of helping Santa Ana families secure the financial support they need after devastating medical errors during delivery.
These aren’t just numbers. They represent hope, stability, and a path forward for children who now face a lifetime of specialized care.
Some of our recent case results include:
- $7.9 million for a child who developed cerebral palsy due to a delayed emergency C-section.
- $5.4 million following a vacuum-assisted delivery that caused serious brain bleeding.
- $6.1 million for a newborn with HIE, after staff failed to respond to clear signs of oxygen deprivation.
- $3.8 million for a family whose child developed Erb’s palsy due to improper management of shoulder dystocia.
These outcomes gave families the ability to:
- Modify their homes for safe mobility,
- Hire skilled in-home caregivers,
- Access cutting-edge therapies and adaptive technology, and
- Cover future medical costs without the crushing weight of debt.
Birth injuries caused by negligence demand action. Justice is how we protect families and set a higher standard of care.
If you’re wondering what your family’s options might look like after a birth injury, we’re here to help you explore them confidentially and compassionately.
Talk to a Birth Injury Attorney in Santa Ana With 40+ Years of Experience
If your child experienced a preventable birth injury, it may be the result of medical negligence, and legal action could help your family secure crucial care and financial support.
At Hodes Milman, we’ve been representing Santa Ana families in complex birth injury cases for over four decades. Our attorneys know what it takes to investigate hospital errors, build strong medical arguments, and hold healthcare providers accountable.
Call (949) 640-8222 or contact us online to speak with a Santa Ana birth injury lawyer. The consultation is free, confidential, and focused on helping you understand your family’s legal options.
FAQs: Santa Ana Birth Injury Claims
Do I need medical records before I call a birth injury attorney in Santa Ana?
No. We can help you gather medical records from Santa Ana hospitals after you contact us. All we need to start is your story and your concerns.
How long do I have to file a birth injury lawsuit in Santa Ana?
In California, you have up to three years to file a claim, but there are exceptions. The sooner we can review the facts of your case, the more options we can preserve.
Can I file a claim if my child was born at Orange County Global Medical Center in Santa Ana?
Yes. Our team has experience handling cases involving Orange County Global and other local facilities in Santa Ana. We understand how to gather and review records and pursue compensation through settlement or trial if necessary.
How much does it cost to hire a Santa Ana birth injury lawyer?
Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we recover compensation for your family. If we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing.
HONORS & AWARDS