When you are about to have a baby, it is an exciting and stressful time. You hope that your baby will be born healthy and happy. However, this isn’t always the case, and unfortunately, during the delivery process, sometimes things can go wrong, and your baby can suffer from a birth injury. A birth injury is an injury that occurs before, during, or immediately after a baby’s delivery. Birth injuries are frequently the result of medical negligence. Some birth injuries can heal with time, while others can result in life-long complications and disability that can require many years of therapy and treatment.
Common Birth Injuries
Some injuries are more debilitating than others, but all birth injuries are serious. Some common birth injuries include:
- Erb’s Palsy—an injury that can result from shoulder dystocia, which occurs when a baby’s shoulders are too large for the birth canal. If a doctor isn’t careful during delivery and too much force is placed on the baby’s head, it can result in torn or stretched nerves. A permanent injury such as paralysis to the arm or hand can result.
- Cerebral Palsy—a neurological disorder that can sometimes result from hypoxia, which is a lack of oxygen to the brain. Hypoxia can occur in the uterus or during delivery. Cerebral palsy can lead to cognitive, developmental, and physical disabilities.
- Brain Injuries—damage to the brain is very serious and can result from hypoxia or the improper use of forceps or other assistive delivery devices.
- Fractures—babies’ bones are usually more flexible than an adult’s, however they are still delicate and can be fractured as the result of improper handling during birth.
- Facial Paralysis—if too much pressure is placed on the baby’s face during delivery, there can be nerve damage. This can happen with the improper use of forceps or other assistive devices.
- Cephalohematoma—marked by bleeding underneath the cranium that is usually directly under one of the cranial bones. Usually, several hours after birth, a bump will appear on the baby’s head. While it typically clears up with time, there can be some long-term complications.
Birth Injuries Caused by Medical Negligence
Unfortunately, medical negligence is frequently the cause of a birth injury. A doctor who fails to properly monitor a patient during their pregnancy, fails to carefully deliver a baby, or fails to call for a c-section when necessary, can cause a devastating birth injury. If your child’s birth injury was the result of negligence, then you may have a medical malpractice claim.
Contact a Birth Injury Attorney
If your child suffered a birth injury, you should have an experienced medical malpractice attorney evaluate your case. At Bonina & Bonina, P.C., we have been helping families handling the effects of birth injuries for over 50 years. Contact us online or call us at 1-888-MEDLAW1 to schedule your free consultation. Home and hospital visits are available. Se habla español.