Step-by-Step Guidance from Petrucelli & Petrucelli — Trusted Birth-Injury Attorneys for Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin
For families coping with the aftermath of a traumatic delivery, the legal system can seem intimidating. At Petrucelli & Petrucelli, we simplify the path forward. Every case follows a clear process designed to uncover the truth, secure accountability, and obtain the compensation your child will need for a lifetime of care.
1. Free Consultation — Listening First, Explaining Clearly
Your first meeting is always confidential and without obligation. You’ll speak directly with Vincent Petrucelli, not a case screener. We listen carefully to your story, review prenatal and delivery records, and outline your legal rights under Michigan and Wisconsin law. We’ll also explain the statute-of-limitations deadlines that make early action essential.
2. Investigation & Evidence Gathering
Once retained, our legal-medical team begins an exhaustive investigation:
- Collecting hospital, obstetric, anesthesia, and neonatal records
- Securing fetal-monitoring strips, medication logs, and imaging results
- Interviewing nurses, attending physicians, and family witnesses
- Obtaining internal hospital incident reports and policy manuals
Each document is reviewed line-by-line for deviations from accepted obstetric standards.
3. Expert Review & Medical Analysis
We partner with maternal-fetal-medicine specialists, neonatologists, pediatric neurologists, and nursing experts to analyze the medical evidence. These professionals identify what should have been done, how protocols were broken, and how those failures caused injury. Their opinions form the scientific foundation of the case.
4. Filing the Claim
After confirming negligence and causation, we prepare the formal Notice of Intent to Sue required in Michigan or the equivalent Chapter 655 claim in Wisconsin. The complaint outlines each negligent act, the medical evidence supporting it, and the full measure of damages. Filing the claim stops the clock on statutory deadlines and begins the litigation process.
5. Settlement Negotiations & Mediation
Many cases resolve before trial—but only when defendants know you’re ready to try the case. Our reputation for courtroom success gives clients that leverage. We present:
- Expert reports demonstrating breach of standard of care
- Detailed projections of future therapy, medical costs, and home-care needs
- Emotional-impact statements showing how negligence changed the family’s life
When mediation is appropriate, we negotiate aggressively for a result that meets the child’s lifelong needs—never a quick compromise.
6. Trial Preparation — Every Case Built to Win
If fair settlement cannot be reached, we move confidently to trial. Our preparation includes:
- Conducting depositions of every responsible provider and hospital administrator
- Developing medical-timeline exhibits and jury-friendly visuals that simplify complex data
- Preparing expert witnesses for clear, persuasive testimony
- Moving to exclude misleading or speculative defense evidence
Vincent Petrucelli’s five decades of trial experience—including his leadership in Ferdon v. Wisconsin Patients Compensation Fund—ensure your case is presented with precision and credibility.
7. Verdict, Settlement, and Beyond
When judgment or settlement is achieved, we:
- Resolve medical-provider liens and insurance claims
- Coordinate structured settlements or special-needs trusts for minors
- Deliver the maximum possible net recovery to your family
Our relationship doesn’t end when the case concludes. We remain available to help manage benefits, disbursements, and any follow-up needs.
Why Families Trust Petrucelli & Petrucelli
- 49 years of trial and negotiation success
- Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
- Super Lawyers® honoree since 2007
- Multi-million-dollar recoveries for children with cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, and HIE
- Serving families in Iron Mountain, Marquette, Escanaba, Menominee, Houghton, and Green Bay
Our goal is simple: to restore stability, security, and hope for every family we represent. Contact Vincent Petrucelli today at (906) 265-6173 or vincent@truthfinders.com.
Petrucelli & Petrucelli — Fighting for Justice Across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin
