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Home » Consumer Information » Brain Injuries

Brain Injuries at Birth

When babies are severely harmed at the time of birth, a joyous occasion suddenly turns to sorrow and concern. Parents overcome by shock may not have the thought of taking legal action at the forefront of their minds, but it is essential that they consider this for a couple of reasons.

  1. The price of a lifetime’s worth of medical bills for a child with birth injuries can be astounding. It is crucial that sufficient funds are available so that the victimized child will have all the necessary care while the parents are still alive and after they pass away.
  2. Investigating an instance of medical malpractice, such as a birth injury, in its early stages makes a substantial difference. A time goes by, records turn up missing, memories are forgotten, and evidence supporting the truth can vanish. A prompt and comprehensive investigation protects the child and his/her parents. It is also important to file an immediate lawsuit because if you wait too long, your success rate will only worsen.

When physicians, nurses, midwives, or other medical employees fail to react in a proper manner, do not foresee signs that something serious could go wrong, or simply do not follow standard medical protocol, infants are put at risk. A doctor present in the delivery room can make a number of errors leading to a birth injury including:

  • Misinterpretation of fetal monitoring tools.
  • Failure to identify distress of the fetus during the labor process.
  • Postponement of a C-section.
  • Improper dosage of medication.

Regrettably, many routine labor scenarios are imprudently dealt with, and tragedy is often the consequence.
The most catastrophic birth injuries cause damage to an infant's skull and brain. Oxygen deficiency or innercranial bleeding can easily harm brain tissue. It is not uncommon for a head injury to take place if too much force is applied in an attempt to remove the baby from the birth canal. This can be done with instruments such as forceps, vacuums, or other irregular methods that may be used to deliver an unusually large baby. If the hospital staff is unable to predict the infant's weight and length, it could result in a traumatic delivery. If the baby undergoes a stressful delivery, it may experience an extended amount of bleeding of the brain in addition to harsh effects in the long-run.
Cerebral palsy and Erb’s palsy, also referred to as brachial plexus palsy, are two forms of brain injury that occur frequently at birth. Both of these birth defects are regularly generated by the negligence of a medical professional.

Brain injuries at birth can affect a victim's life physically, emotionally, and monetarily. Some examples include:

  • Constant pain
  • Paralysis
  • Seizures
  • Speech impediment
  • Hefty medical bills
  • Depression

Birth injury lawsuits stemming from medical malpractice or negligence normally yield huge financial settlements to compensate for thousands of dollars in medical bills. Parents of the victim should seek out an attorney with a great amount of experience and knowledge of the birth injury litigation process in order to get the best results.