According to national statistics, seven out of every 1,000 births results in a birth injury in this country. A birth injury occurs during the labor or delivery process and is often caused by action, inaction, or negligence on the part of the medical professionals who are part of the delivery team. A birth injury can and often does result in lifelong disabilities for the infant. In some cases, it can result in the baby’s death.
When a birth injury occurs, there is some type of physical trauma on the infant that occurs during either the laboring process or the delivery. Far too often, the birth injury is catastrophic, and the injuries result in life-long health problems and severe cognitive, behavioral, and physical disabilities. Some of the most common birth injuries that the birth injury attorneys from name of firm see include:
· Brain damage from lack of oxygen
· Cerebral palsy
· Erb’s palsy
· Facial paralysis
· Fractured bones
· Skull fractures
The birth injury attorneys from our firm also have represented many victims and their families who have sustained birth injuries that are serious but not as severe as the ones listed above. Some of these injuries include:
· Asphyxia neonatorum
· Brachial plexus palsy
· Kernicterus
· Klumpke palsy
· Perinatal stroke
· Shoulder dystocia
· Skin problems
The majority of birth injuries are preventable and are a result of the failure of medical professionals to recognize serious situations during the mother’s labor or delivery. They are often caused by poor delivery technique on the part of the doctor. Some of the most frequent avoidable actions (or lack of) that cause tragic birth injuries are:
· Failure to administer the correct dose of medication
· Failure to administer the correct medication
· Failure to perform a Cesarean section when it is medically necessary
· Failure to properly care for the baby after the delivery
· Failure to recognize fetal distress or other medical emergencies during labor or delivery
· Improper or incorrect use of forceps or vacuum devices during delivery. This is one of the most common causes of birth injuries since these instruments are used during 160 out of every 1,000 births.
· Performing a Cesarean section when it is not medically necessary
Birth Injury Liability
There are a number of medical professionals that can be held liable for errors that cause birth injuries, from the obstetrician, nursing staff, anesthesiologist, pediatrician, pharmacist, and more. Even the hospital or medical facility where the injury took place can be held liable for the injuries.
Many birth injuries require extensive – and often lifelong – medical treatment for the child, as well as ongoing physical, occupational, vocational therapy, and more. There is also often the need for special medical equipment and devices and the need to make renovations to the family home to make it handicap and wheelchair accessible. There are many other expenses that a birth injury can place on a family.
A birth injury attorney, like a birth injury lawyer, will aggressively advocate for your child and family to make sure that those responsible for the injuries to your child are held accountable. Call our office today to discuss what your legal options may be.