Forceps are medical instruments used during childbirth to assist in the delivery of a baby. While forceps can be a helpful tool in certain situations, they also carry risks, and improper use can lead to birth injuries. In fact, while forceps are only used in 1% of vaginal births, they account for about 30% of birth injuries, including skull fractures, seizures, bleeding in the skull, facial palsy, and brain damage.  In Florida, as in other...

Informed consent is a critical component of the patient-doctor relationship. Among other things, informed consent emphasizes transparency and communication. It also represents a respect for the autonomy of the patient. As in many jurisdictions, the concept of informed consent plays an important role in Florida in medical malpractice cases.  The term “informed consent” means the process whereby a medical professional provides a patient with all pertinent information regarding their medical situation, the proposed treatment or...

Haliczer Pettis & Schwamm is proud to announce that attorneys Debbie Klauber and Trisha Widowfield have been selected to Florida Trend magazine’s Legal Elite – Notable Women Leaders in Law list! According to the publication, the women on this list “represent not just leaders in the law but likely the legal sector’s emerging leadership overall.”       

What is Cerebral Palsy? Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of neurological disorders that affect movement, muscle tone, and posture. It’s caused in utero or during birth by damage to the brain. CP can lead to various problems in motor function and sometimes results in seizures and difficulties in communication, learning, understanding and hearing. The causes of cerebral palsy can vary and might not always be definitively determined. Some situations associated with cerebral palsy include...

The exact requirements, titles, and scope of practice for midwives can differ significantly from states and regions within the United States. Some places recognize certified nurse-midwives, while others have independent midwifery practices. In Florida, the Florida Board of Nursing requires its nurse midwives to complete a master’s degree in nurse midwifery or a post-masters program in nurse midwifery before going on to earn national certification through the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB). Some midwives in...

Haliczer Pettis & Schwamm, P.A. (HPS) has been recognized in the 2024 edition of Best Law Firms®, ranked by Best Lawyers®, as a TIER 1 law firm, in multiple locations and practice areas. Firms included in the 2024 Best Law Firms® list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Achieving a tiered ranking in Best Law Firms® on a metropolitan scale signals a unique credibility within the industry. The...

HPS Co-Founder Eugene K. Pettis has once again been selected to Florida Trend magazine’s “Florida 500” Florida’s Most Influential Business Leaders list. According to Florida Trend, selection is based on numerous factors: “What distinguishes Florida 500 honorees is demonstrated impact beyond their companies, and we place a high premium on community service and philanthropy. We look for individual to whom others in their communities or industry sectors turn to for leadership or who set a...

Oxygen deprivation during the birth process is one of the most common birth complications. It is estimated that 3 out of 1,000 newborns are affected. Different tools can be used by medical professionals to evaluate the severity of oxygen deprivation, clinically known as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), in newborn babies. HIE is a condition characterized by decreased oxygen and blood flow to the baby’s brain before, during, or shortly after birth that can lead to neurological...