Was your baby injured during labor or delivery? Do you suspect that your healthcare provider was negligent? If so, you may have legal grounds to file a medical malpractice lawsuit against them. An experienced Abington Township birth injury lawyer from Morris Wilson Knepp Jacquette, P.C. can explain your legal rights and options during a free consultation. Contact us today to learn more.
Common Types of Birth Injuries
Birth injuries refer to physical traumas that newborns suffer during the birthing process. Many of these injuries are due to medical errors, such as:
- Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE): HIE is a form of brain dysfunction that occurs because the baby was not receiving adequate oxygen or blood flow during labor and delivery. This condition can result in permanent brain damage, developmental delays, and long-term disabilities.
- Cerebral palsy: This medical condition can also occur due to a lack of oxygen to the brain during the birthing process. It affects muscle tone and coordination.
- Erb’s palsy: Erb’s palsy is a nerve injury that causes weakness or paralysis in the shoulder, arm, and hand, usually because of traumatic stretching of the neck during childbirth.
- Brachial plexus injuries: These are injuries to the nerves that control arms and hands and often occur when there is difficulty delivering the baby’s shoulder during the birthing process.
- Caput succedaneum: This is the swelling of a newborn’s scalp, often caused by vacuum extraction or external pressure on the baby’s head during a vaginal delivery.
- Cephalohematoma: This condition is the collection of blood between a baby’s skull and the membrane covering the bones, often caused by pressure exerted on the baby’s head during delivery.
- Intracranial hemorrhage: This condition is bleeding in the brain, which could be caused by a traumatic birth, often when vacuum extractors are used.
- Facial nerve injury: Using forceps or applying excessive pressure on the baby’s face during the birthing process can lead to temporary or permanent facial muscle weakness.
- Kernicterus: This is a severe form of jaundice that can cause permanent brain damage.
- Spinal cord injuries: Traumatic stretching or twisting during birth or using forceps can potentially cause spinal cord injuries that can result in complete or incomplete paralysis.
Common Causes of Birth Injuries
Birth injuries can occur for various reasons, but negligence by medical staff is a common one. Some of the most common causes of birth injuries that may indicate medical malpractice include:
- Failure to manage high-risk pregnancies
- Improper medication management
- Improper use of medical tools, such as forceps and vacuums
- Failure to monitor fetal heartbeat
- Oxygen deprivation
- Delayed C-sections
- Applying excessive force during childbirth
When a doctor fails to exercise the appropriate standard of care when treating a mother or baby, you may have grounds to file a medical malpractice claim against the party responsible for the resulting injuries.
Contact Us for Help with Your Birth Injury Claim
At Morris Wilson Knepp Jacquette, we recognize how a serious birth injury can affect an entire family. We can aggressively pursue maximum compensation for your claim, allowing you to focus on your child’s needs. Contact us today for a free consultation.