5 Common Birth Injuries (And How to Find Help)
When a family is expecting a baby, it’s a happy and exciting time. Parents are involved in countless happy details: choosing a name or deciding what color to paint the nursery. Engrossed in all the prepartum preparations, parents don’t typically think about the possibility of a birth injury. Yet, unfortunately, babies are occasionally injured in the course of pregnancy, labor or delivery. Some of these injuries are minor and temporary; however, sometimes the damage is serious and lifelong. What’s more, a newborn may be severely harmed because someone on the medical team was negligent. Here is an overview of common birth injuries and what parents can do to receive compensation from those who are responsible.
What are the 5 most common birth injuries?
1. Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy, one of the most common birth injuries, is a general term for several conditions that affect movement. It’s usually caused when a newborn is deprived of oxygen during labor and/or delivery. A baby will typically start showing symptoms shortly after birth or within a few years. Some children are mildly affected, while others may suffer severe and permanent impairment. Furthermore, some children will have cognitive damage in addition to physical consequences.
2. Brain Damage
Sometimes a newborn can suffer brain damage that is different from cerebral palsy. However, like cerebral palsy, this damage usually occurs when a newborn is deprived of oxygen. Brain damage can also be caused by a doctor who uses forceps or suction incorrectly.
3. Erb’s Palsy (also called shoulder dystocia)
This common birth injury involves damage to the delicate part of a newborn’s shoulder or brachial plexus. It typically occurs when a doctor uses forceps improperly or otherwise applies excessive force during delivery. A baby with this type of injury may experience chronic pain. In addition, these children may have difficulty moving their hands or lifting their arms above shoulder level.
4. Facial Nerve Damage (or palsy)
This injury occurs when a physician puts unnecessary pressure on a newborn’s face immediately before or during birth. Facial nerve damage can be caused when a medical practitioner uses forceps or other tools incorrectly. As a result, the infant may lose control of voluntary muscle movement in the facial nerve (7th cranial nerve). Usually, the lower part of the facial nerve is involved, affecting the muscles surrounding the baby’s lips.
5. Fractures
Another common birth injury occurs when the newborn’s clavicle or collarbone fractures during labor and/or delivery. This is often the result of difficulty delivering the baby’s shoulder. These fractures also occur during breech deliveries, when the baby is turned “upside down” in the birth canal.
In addition, if a physician uses too much force or pressure during delivery, the baby’s skull may fracture. This is a more serious birth injury that can also result in brain damage.
What can I do if my child’s birth injury was caused by negligence?
The first thing a parent or guardian should do is contact a reputable birth injury lawyer. Birth injury cases can be complex and lengthy, with many forms, requirements and filing deadlines. You will also need medical testimony from expert witnesses who are knowledgeable in the field of labor and delivery. Therefore, an experienced birth injury lawyer who understands the legal issues and procedures will help you achieve a better outcome.
If you suspect your child’s birth injury was caused by negligence on the part of a doctor or hospital, call us immediately. Our highly qualified legal team will fight to win the compensation you and your family deserves.
Medical malpractice law is complicated, but finding the right lawyer is simple.
Call 1-800-MALPRACTICE today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
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