Birth injuries can leave families reeling—emotionally, physically, and financially. When a preventable medical error occurs during pregnancy, labor, or delivery, the consequences can be life-altering for both the child and their loved ones. In these critical moments, choosing the right legal advocate is essential. The complexities of birth injury litigation demand an attorney with medical knowledge, trial experience, and a deep commitment to client care.
At Dempsey Kingsland & Osteen, we understand what’s at stake. With over 40 years of litigation experience, our firm is widely regarded as a leader in complex birth injury and medical malpractice cases across Kansas and Missouri. That said, we recognize that not every case will align with our firm, and we believe families deserve access to other trusted attorneys in the Kansas City area.
If you’re looking for the best birth injury lawyer in Kansas City, the following six advocates should be at the top of your list.
1. Dempsey Kingsland & Osteen
Dempsey Kingsland & Osteen has built its reputation on litigating some of the region’s most complex and high-stakes medical malpractice cases, including birth injuries resulting from delayed delivery, improper fetal monitoring, and obstetric negligence. Known throughout Kansas City as a premier trial firm, Dempsey Kingsland & Osteen combines extensive courtroom experience with deep medical insight, supported by our in-house team of full-time doctors and nursing experts.
Our approach is methodical, personalized, and driven by a commitment to uncovering the truth and securing justice. Other law firms frequently refer birth injury cases to Dempsey Kingsland & Osteen because of our proven ability to handle matters involving catastrophic harm, including cerebral palsy, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), and brachial plexus injuries.
For families seeking clarity, accountability, and compassionate guidance, Dempsey Kingsland & Osteen remains the trusted choice for those seeking the best birth injury lawyer in Kansas City.
2. Steve Gorny | Gorny Dandurand, LC
Steve Gorny has built a career handling complex personal injury cases in the Midwest, including claims involving birth injuries and pediatric harm. As a founding member of Gorny Dandurand, he has successfully represented families whose lives were forever altered by medical negligence during labor and delivery, often in cases involving severe and permanent injury to newborns.
In 2021, Gorny secured a $41 million verdict on behalf of a young child catastrophically injured at a daycare facility. His legal knowledge and litigation skills have made him a trusted attorney for life-altering cases, including those involving obstetric error, fetal distress, and delayed intervention during childbirth.
A Best Lawyers in America honoree since 2009 and Super Lawyers selectee since 2006, Gorny is also a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
3. Ashley Ricket | Ricket Law Firm LLC
Ashley Ricket has built her career advocating for the most vulnerable members of society, especially those harmed by nursing home abuse, medical negligence, and systemic failures in care. One of her most notable victories was a $23 million judgment in a California elder abuse case involving the wrongful death of an 81-year-old woman who suffered from untreated pressure ulcers.
Ricket has been named to Super Lawyers and the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, and she received the Rising Star Award at the Missouri Women’s Justice Awards. She regularly litigates in state and federal courts across Missouri, Kansas, and Illinois, and has earned recognition for her ability to bring about meaningful outcomes and reform.
4. Jack Norton | Norton & Spencer, P.C.
Jack Norton brings more than 40 years of litigation experience to families seeking justice after preventable birth injuries. As a founding member of Norton & Spencer, P.C., Norton has built a respected career handling complex medical malpractice cases, with a particular focus on injuries involving infants and children.
His case history includes a standout $22 million verdict on behalf of a brain-injured child, one of the largest verdicts in Missouri that year. With over 150 jury trials to his name and multiple seven-figure results secured, Norton is known for his skill in the courtroom and his ability to hold medical providers accountable for life-altering mistakes made during labor and delivery.
A Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a recognized Super Lawyer, Norton has also been named to the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers and honored by the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys.
5. Sam Cullan | Cullan & Cullan
Dr. Sam Cullan is a licensed physician, engineer, and trial attorney with over three decades of experience handling high-stakes medical malpractice cases. At Cullan & Cullan, he focuses extensively on birth injury claims, representing children and families affected by preventable trauma during labor and delivery.
His medical background provides an advantage in cases involving conditions such as cerebral palsy and brachial plexus injuries. Dr. Cullan is board certified in legal medicine and has been repeatedly named “Lawyer of the Year” in Kansas City for medical malpractice by Best Lawyers in America. A member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and a long-time Super Lawyers honoree, Dr. Cullan has secured numerous record-setting verdicts and settlements for his clients.
6. John Parisi | Parisi Law Firm
For families facing the consequences of a birth injury, John Parisi offers more than 30 years of experience in complex medical malpractice litigation. As founder of the Parisi Law Firm, he has represented clients across Kansas and Missouri in high-value cases of obstetric negligence and neonatal injury. Parisi has handled claims involving surgical error, postnatal mismanagement, and hospital system failures, often working alongside co-counsel to achieve outstanding results for injured families.
Recognized for his strategic litigation skills and attention to detail, Parisi has also served in leadership roles within the legal community, including as Chair of the Johnson County Ethics & Grievance Committee and President of the Kansas Trial Lawyers Association.
Trusted Advocates Ready to Serve
No parent should have to leave the hospital facing a future of uncertainty about their child’s care. At Dempsey Kingsland & Osteen, we bring decades of focused experience to birth injury litigation, combining deep medical insight with a proven record of success at trial. Our team works closely with in-house medical consultants to build strong, evidence-based cases tailored to each client’s long-term needs. If you are seeking trusted guidance from the best medical malpractice attorney in Kansas City, contact us for a free confidential consultation or call us at (816) 421-6868,
Resources:
Gorny Dandurand, LC, link.
Ricket Law Firm, link.
Norton & Spencer, P.C., link.
Cullan & Cullan, link.
Parisi Law Firm, link.
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