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Birth injury refers to physical or neurological harm to an infant or mother that occurs during pregnancy, labor, delivery or immediately after birth. In Agia Paraskevi - a suburb of Athens in the region of Attica - legal claims for birth injuries are handled under the Greek legal system. Remedies can include civil claims for compensation, filed in the competent civil courts, and in some cases criminal or administrative proceedings against medical professionals or institutions.
Cases typically involve allegations of negligent prenatal care, delayed or inappropriate decisions during labor, improper use of delivery instruments, failure to monitor fetal condition, or problems with consent and communication. Families pursue legal action to obtain compensation for medical costs, ongoing care, lost income, and non-pecuniary harms such as pain and suffering and loss of quality of life.
- To evaluate whether the events surrounding a birth meet the legal test for medical negligence or other liability.
- To gather and preserve medical records quickly - clinical notes, CTG traces, delivery records, consent forms, and imaging.
- To arrange independent medical expert reports that explain complex clinical issues in legal terms and establish causation between care and injury.
- To calculate present and future financial needs for the child and family, including lifetime care costs, rehabilitation, medical equipment, and lost earnings.
- To handle communications with hospitals, doctors and insurers and to negotiate settlements when appropriate.
- To represent you in court, criminal investigations or professional disciplinary proceedings.
- To advise on procedural requirements and time limits so you do not lose the right to bring a claim.
- Civil liability framework: In Greece, injured parties can bring civil claims against healthcare professionals or institutions for negligence. A successful claim generally requires proof of duty of care, breach of that duty, causation linking the breach to the injury, and quantifiable damage.
- Evidence and expert proof: Medical expert reports are central. Courts rely on clinical experts to interpret medical records and to determine whether the standard of care was met.
- Types of recoverable damages: Claimants may seek pecuniary damages - past and future medical expenses, rehabilitation, special education, equipment, and loss of earnings - and non-pecuniary damages for pain and suffering and reduced quality of life. Claims for future care and support for a permanently disabled child are common.
- Public vs private providers: Claims can be brought against both public hospitals and private clinics. Public liability may involve different administrative procedures in addition to civil litigation. State hospitals are subject to specific rules and sometimes to separate processes for compensation claims.
- Criminal and disciplinary proceedings: In cases of gross negligence or fatal outcomes, criminal charges may be pursued under the Greek Penal Code for negligent bodily harm or negligent death. Separately, complaints may be filed with medical disciplinary bodies such as the regional medical association.
- Insurance and hospital responsibilities: Many doctors and hospitals carry professional liability insurance. Insurers will often be involved in settlement negotiations. However, an insurer’s offer may not reflect full lifetime needs, so professional legal advice is important.
- Procedural points and deadlines: There are statutory limitation periods for bringing claims and specific procedural steps to follow. These deadlines are important and vary by claim type and circumstances - for example, claims related to minors and claims against public entities can have special rules. Consult a lawyer promptly to avoid losing rights.
- Court process and remedies: Most birth injury cases progress through civil courts if not settled. Courts may grant monetary compensation, order interim measures in rare cases, and consider expert testimony, witness evidence and documentary proof when assessing liability and damages.
Birth injury covers any harm to mother or baby caused during pregnancy, labor, delivery or immediately after birth that is alleged to result from negligent care. Examples include brain injury from oxygen deprivation, fractures, nerve injuries, and maternal complications linked to negligent treatment.
Determining negligence requires medical record review and expert opinion. A lawyer will seek independent medical experts to compare the care provided against accepted medical standards and to assess whether a breach of that standard caused the injury.
Time limits for bringing claims exist and can differ depending on whether the defendant is a private practitioner, a public hospital or a state authority, and whether the claim is civil or criminal. Deadlines are measured either from the date of the injury or from the date the injury was discovered. Because these limitations can be strict, contact a lawyer as soon as possible.
You can seek compensation for past and future medical and rehabilitation costs, special education, assistive devices and home adaptations, lost earnings of caregivers and parents, and non-pecuniary damages for pain, suffering and reduced life prospects.
Yes. Independent medical experts are typically required to explain complex clinical facts, establish the standard of care, and link any deviation to the injury. Expert reports are a cornerstone of birth injury litigation.
Both can potentially be sued. Hospitals may be liable for staff actions and systemic failures. Individual practitioners may also be personally liable. Claims against public hospitals or state entities may involve additional procedural steps.
Early offers may be tempting but can underestimate long-term needs, especially when injuries cause lifelong disability. Before accepting any offer, seek legal and medical advice to understand future costs and whether the offer fairly compensates those needs.
Yes. If conduct meets the threshold for criminal negligence, prosecutors may pursue criminal charges alongside a civil claim. Criminal proceedings are separate from civil compensation claims and follow different procedures.
Fee arrangements vary. Some lawyers charge hourly rates or fixed fees for specific tasks, while others may offer conditional fee arrangements where fees are linked to recovery. Ask any lawyer for a clear fee agreement, an estimate of disbursements and whether they advance case costs.
Families can access medical, rehabilitative and social support services through public health and social services, specialist centers and non-governmental organizations. A legal claim can fund private care and long-term needs that public resources may not fully cover. A lawyer and a multidisciplinary team can help identify and quantify necessary supports in a claim.
- Hellenic Ministry of Health: national policies, hospital oversight and patient rights information.
- Regional Health Authorities and local public hospital patient relations offices - for hospital records and complaints.
- Hellenic Medical Association and regional medical associations - for information about professional standards and disciplinary complaints.
- Athens Bar Association - for referrals to lawyers experienced in medical negligence and birth injury claims in the Attica region, which covers Agia Paraskevi.
- National Health System services and rehabilitation centers - for clinical and social support planning.
- Accredited rehabilitation and support organizations such as rehabilitation centers and NGOs that assist families of children with disabilities - for practical support and community resources.
- Social services in the Municipality of Agia Paraskevi - for local welfare support and information on available programs.
- Patient advocacy and family support groups - for peer support, practical advice, and experience sharing about navigating the healthcare and legal systems.
- Preserve records: Request and keep copies of all medical records, delivery notes, CTG traces, imaging, laboratory results and consent forms as soon as possible.
- Record the timeline: Write a clear chronology of events, symptoms observed, communications with medical staff and dates - this helps lawyers and experts assess the case quickly.
- Seek independent medical opinion: A specialist review of records can confirm whether further investigation makes sense and what the likely causes and prognosis are.
- Contact a qualified lawyer: Look for a lawyer with experience in medical negligence and birth injury claims in Attica or the Athens courts. Ask about experience, past cases, expert networks and fee structure.
- File complaints where appropriate: Your lawyer can advise whether to make an administrative complaint to the hospital, a disciplinary complaint to the medical association, or to notify the public prosecutor if criminal conduct is suspected.
- Explore support services: While the legal process proceeds, access medical, rehabilitative and social support for your child and family. Early therapy and planning can improve outcomes and also inform the compensation claim.
- Discuss interim needs: Some cases take time. Discuss with your lawyer whether interim financial measures or social benefits are available to cover urgent needs.
- Act promptly: Legal time limits and the need to preserve evidence mean early action improves your options. Even if you are unsure about pursuing a claim, an early consultation will protect your position and set out realistic next steps.
