What You Need to Know About Birth Injuries Caused by Negligence
Birth injuries are a tragic and widespread problem in the United States. Complications during pregnancy and childbirth affect millions of women each year. These complications can increase the risk of trauma during the labor and delivery process. If your child was diagnosed with a birth injury, you might be entitled to compensation. In some cases, the trauma is caused by medical malpractice meaning it may have been preventable.
At Schlachman, Belsky, Weiner, & Davey, P.A., we provide representation for families who have suffered unimaginable harm due to medical negligence. If your child sustained a birth injury, contact our office at (410) 685-2022 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
Here are the most common birth injuries due to medical malpractice:
Bleeding
Bleeding can be experienced by either the mother or the child during the labor and delivery process. Certain types and amounts of bleeding are considered normal, but excessive bleeding or bleeding in and around the skull may be concerning.
Types of bleeding that may occur due to trauma at birth:
- Intraventricular hemorrhage – According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, an intraventricular hemorrhage is bleeding that occurs in or around the ventricles or fluid-filled areas near the brain. It often occurs in premature infants or if there was a “difficult birth.”
- Cerebral hemorrhage – A cerebral hemorrhage is bleeding in the brain.
- Cephalohematoma – Cephalohematoma is when blood pools or collects between the scalp and the skull of a baby. It can be caused by a number of things but is often the result of prolonged, difficult labor or due to an assisted delivery with the use of forceps or vacuum extraction.
Medical negligence can also result in excessive blood loss to the mother. If you or your child experienced any of these conditions during childbirth, it is strongly recommended that you speak with a medical malpractice attorney today.
Damage to the Nerves
Another common birth injury caused by medical malpractice is nerve damage. Failing to order a necessary cesarean section (c-section) despite signs of fetal distress can result in harm to the baby. The doctor may resort to using excessive force despite it being unsafe for the mother and child.
Excessive force can do irreparable damage to an infant including causing damage to the set of nerves near the neck known as the brachial plexus. Brachial plexus palsy and Erb’s palsy are two frequently diagnosed conditions caused by nerve damage during childbirth.
Fractures and Broken Bones
Fractures frequently happen during a difficult labor and delivery because of the amount of force that needs to be applied. Skull and clavicle fractures are two of the leading fractures that occur in childbirth and may result from the use of forceps, vacuum extraction, or violent pulling.
Brain Damage
Brain damage can occur at any stage of pregnancy or childbirth and may be the result of several different causes. However, when it is the result of medical negligence, it may be legally actionable.
One of the most common causes of brain damage in an infant is a disruption of the flow of oxygen to the brain. A lack of oxygen or perinatal asphyxia can cause substantial health problems including cerebral palsy.
Contacting a Birth Injury Lawyer
If your child was diagnosed with a birth injury, contact our office at (410) 685-2022 to schedule a free consultation. Our lawyers have recovered over $200 million in verdicts and settlements for our clients. Call our office now to discuss your case directly with an attorney.
