Infant Wrongful Death Your Injury, Our Fight

Infant Wrongful Death Attorney in Albuquerque

New Mexico’s Largest Malpractice Verdict. A Former Doctor at the Helm.

When an infant dies after complications during pregnancy, delivery, or newborn care, families are often left with difficult questions about what happened and whether the outcome could have been prevented.

At Buckingham & Vega Law Firm, we help families examine those questions carefully. Founding partner Kent Buckingham practiced for several years as a doctor before beginning his legal career and is now a board-certified trial lawyer. His medical background gives our team a valuable perspective when reviewing complex records, evaluating medical decisions, and working to understand where care may have gone wrong.

Our experience also includes significant birth injury cases. Buckingham & Vega has obtained a $72 million birth injury verdict and a $12 million birth injury settlement. Past results do not guarantee the outcome of another case, but they reflect our experience handling high-stakes claims involving pregnancy, delivery, and medical negligence.

If your family lost an infant and you have questions about the medical care involved, contact us for a free consultation or call (505) 388-0066. Se habla español.

When Medical Negligence May Cause an Infant’s Death

Not every poor medical outcome is malpractice. A viable claim requires evidence that a healthcare provider failed to meet the applicable standard of care and that the failure caused or contributed to the infant’s death.

Potential concerns can arise during prenatal care, labor and delivery, or care immediately after birth. Depending on what happened, an investigation may examine issues such as:

Failure to recognize or respond to signs of fetal distress
Delays in performing a medically necessary C-section
Failure to diagnose or properly manage conditions such as preeclampsia, placental abruption, or umbilical cord complications
Improper use of forceps, vacuum extractors, or other delivery tools
Medication or treatment errors involving the mother or infant
Delays in recognizing complications or escalating care after delivery

These cases sit at the intersection of medical malpractice and wrongful death law. Determining whether negligence occurred requires more than identifying a complication. The medical timeline, standard of care, causation, and actions of each provider all matter.

To speak with a baby wrongful death attorney in Albuquerque, call (505) 388-0066 now. Buckingham & Vega Law Firm is ready to listen.

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How We Investigate Fatal Birth Injury and Newborn Malpractice Cases

In our experience, understanding what happened requires looking at the full course of care rather than isolating a single moment during delivery.

Our team may review prenatal records, fetal monitoring information, labor and delivery records, medications, provider notes, hospital policies when relevant, and records of treatment provided after birth. We also examine the timing of important decisions and whether warning signs were recognized and addressed appropriately.

Complex medical malpractice cases frequently require independent medical review and careful preparation. Kent Buckingham’s background as a former doctor helps our team understand the medicine while our trial experience keeps the investigation focused on the evidence needed to establish liability and causation.

We also believe families should understand what we are finding. Medical records can be overwhelming, particularly when a family is already dealing with loss. Part of our role is to explain the issues clearly, answer questions directly, and help families make informed decisions about what comes next.

Deadlines in New Mexico Medical Malpractice Wrongful Death Cases

The filing deadline for a wrongful death claim involving alleged medical malpractice should not be assumed to run simply from the date of death.

New Mexico medical malpractice law generally applies a three-year statute of repose measured from the alleged act of malpractice. Wrongful death claims based on medical negligence can be subject to that medical malpractice framework rather than only the deadline that applies to other types of wrongful death cases.

Additional rules and exceptions can also affect the analysis, including circumstances involving minors and claims against governmental healthcare providers. Claims involving a governmental entity may also have separate notice requirements under the New Mexico Tort Claims Act.

Because the correct deadline depends on the facts, the providers involved, and the law governing the claim, families should have the timeline reviewed as early as reasonably possible rather than assuming they have three years from the infant’s death.

Who Brings an Infant Wrongful Death Claim in New Mexico?

New Mexico wrongful death actions are brought by a personal representative on behalf of the people entitled to the proceeds under state law.

The personal representative is the person authorized to pursue the wrongful death action. Current New Mexico court rules provide a process for the district court to appoint that representative for the wrongful death case.

That role is separate from the question of who ultimately receives compensation. Any recovery is distributed according to New Mexico’s wrongful death statute and the family circumstances involved.

Our attorneys can help families understand the personal representative process as part of evaluating a potential wrongful death claim.

Damages in an Infant Wrongful Death Case

No financial recovery can replace a child. A wrongful death claim instead provides a legal means to seek accountability and compensation for losses recognized under New Mexico law.

Depending on the evidence and circumstances, recoverable damages may involve medical care provided before death, funeral and burial expenses, the value of the infant’s life under New Mexico’s wrongful death framework, and other legally recognized losses.

The damages available in a specific case depend on the evidence, the parties involved, and the laws that apply. Medical malpractice claims may also involve additional statutory rules that make an individualized evaluation important.

We do not tell families what their case is worth based on a formula or a few facts from an initial conversation. We first work to understand the medical evidence, the people involved, and the full impact of what happened.

Why Families Turn to Buckingham & Vega

Buckingham & Vega has represented individuals and families affected by serious injuries, medical negligence, and wrongful death since 1999. Our approach combines the resources needed for complex litigation with the personal attention families need during a difficult time.

Kent Buckingham brings the perspective of a former doctor and board-certified trial lawyer. Founding partner Adrian Vega brings extensive trial experience in serious injury, wrongful death, birth injury, and medical negligence matters, along with deep New Mexico roots. Adrian is also fluent in Spanish, allowing Spanish-speaking families to communicate directly and comfortably about their case.

Our attorneys work as a team when cases require extensive investigation, medical review, and trial preparation. We believe strong representation requires both disciplines: understanding the evidence in detail and understanding what the people behind that evidence are going through.

Our case results reflect a history of taking on difficult medical and catastrophic injury cases, but results are only part of our work. We also want families to feel informed, heard, and supported throughout the process.

Call (505) 388-0066 to speak with our team about a free consultation. We are here to answer your questions, explain your options, and help you decide what comes next. Se habla español.

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"Thank God we found him. He really seemed to care about our family."
Mr. Buckingham won our case after two other law firms said it would be impossible to win. He knew the medicine better than the experts in the case. I guess the fact that he’s also a doctor was a great help.

Former Client
"He truly was impressive."
Mr. Buckingham flew to the East Coast several times & understood how a correct gall bladder surgery is supposed to be done better than the surgeon. He was very knowledgeable & precise.

Former Client
"If you want real-life heroes contact these guys. They cared when no one else did."
When I first contacted Mr.Vega, I knew he was different because he listened to me with compassion. Mr. Vega and his team gave me hope and most important they gave my son a better life.

Former Client
"Adrian Vega and his law firm changed my family's life."
They fought for my injured baby and made sure we would be taken care of for the rest of our lives. I highly recommend this law firm.

Former Client
"My family is better off having them in our corner."
We turned to him when we had nowhere else to go. Turns out it was the best decision we could have ever made. They represented us in a difficult case and made those responsible accountable for their actions.

Former Client
"Nothing but the best of the best."
This was an experience I'll never forget and felt like family and not a business associate. Adrian kept me informed and up to date on all matters of the lawsuit. Needless to say, I received more ( much more ) than expected...

Former Client
"Very professional firm and well knowledgeable!"
I would highly recommend using Buckingham & Vega if you have been injured in an accident. Very professional firm and well knowledgeable!

Former Client
"Highly Recommend"
We had a great experience working with Adrian. He was very professional and guided my family through a difficult situation.

Former Client

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Our Results Make a Difference

Explore How We Have Helped Our Clients

Record-Setting $72 Million Birth Injury
The Buckingham & Vega team obtained a $72 million verdict in a birth injury case when an OB/ GYN failed to properly monitor the mom during pregnancy.
$16 Million Truck Accident
Buckingham & Vega obtained a $16 million settlement in a truck accident case. The truck driver was speeding and inattentive (texting) and crashed into the rear of a pickup truck stopped at a stoplight.
$14 Million Dram Shop Liability
Our team obtained a $14 million dram shop verdict on behalf of a client who was injured due to negligence.
$13 Million Truck Accident
Our team secured a $13 million settlement in a truck accident case. An eighteen-wheeler made an unsafe turn in front of a car driven by a grandmother and her family. The grandmother was killed and the family suffered severe injuries.
$13 Million Work Injury
Buckingham & Vega represented an oilfield worker who was killed when their company failed to properly train its employees on how to safely move waste bins. Our client was killed when he became trapped between two bins.
$12 Million Birth Injury
The attorneys at Buckingham & Vega obtained a $12 million birth injury settlement.

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