Birth Injury

Every year, more than 4 million women give birth. Although most of these women have a joyous experience, 7 in every 1000 mothers will deliver an infant with a birth injury. While some birth injuries cannot be avoided, too many are caused by medical negligence.

Types of Birth Injuries

Anesthesiologists, doctors, obstetricians and nurses can all be responsible for a birth injury. When these medical professionals fail to meet the standard of care required in the medical community, and an infant is injured as a result, the family may be eligible for a birth injury lawsuit. Many birth injury claims are filed after an infant suffers one of the following injuries:

Cerebral palsy: A lifelong condition caused by trauma to the brain during the delivery process. Improper use of forceps or oxygen deprivation (caused by a prolonged stay in the birth canal) can cause cerebral palsy.

Brachial plexus palsy (erb's palsy): A condition causing paralysis or weakness in the arm. Brachial plexus palsy occurs when the nerves in the shoulder are stretched during delivery.

Facial paralysis: A condition caused by pressure on facial nerves or by the use of forceps during the delivery process.

Birth Trauma: Also known as cephalohematoma, bleeding in the brain can occur after use of a vacuum or forceps.

The above list is not exhaustive, as negligence by the medical staff can cause a variety of brain, nerve and spinal cord injuries. Birth injuries can also occur after:

• Uterine rupture
• Failure to respond to bleeding or umbilical cord entrapment
• Improper use of Pitocin, a hormone used to induce labor

After a Birth Injury

If you suspect your child suffered a birth injury, immediately report the unusual behavior to your healthcare professional. Depending on the type and severity of the birth injury, symptoms may not appear until several months after birth. In general, the best idea is to trust your instincts. If your child's behavior seems "off," seek medical attention immediately.

After you doctor's diagnosis, you should speak to a birth injury lawyer. While it may be impossible, at first, to determine the cause of the birth injury, our attorneys can investigate whether the injury could have been avoided. We will evaluate medical records and speak with experts to determine whether your doctor took the necessary precautions to avoid your child's birth injury.

If your child has suffered a birth injury, you are now aware of the physical, emotional and financial ramifications of this form of medical negligence. There is no reason you should have to suffer alone.

Contact our birth injury attorneys today to find out how we can help get your life back on track.