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Birth injuries are some of the most tragic circumstances a family has to deal with. Especially during labor and delivery, patients in Pennsylvania trust that their doctors and medical professionals will perform according to an acceptable standard of care when taking care of them. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
At Morris Wilson Knepp Jacquette, P.C., our Pennsylvania medical malpractice and birth injury lawyers have decades of experience in handling cases concerning birth injuries. We will devote extensive amounts of time and resources to the investigation of all aspects of your case, including medical records, witnesses, and more. With this information, we will build a powerful case on your behalf that exposes any negligence on the part of the hospital or medical staff who were attending you and your infant.
Birth Injuries in Pennsylvania – During Labor & Delivery
Birth injuries in Pennsylvania can range from nerve damage to severe brain damage. In many cases, a lack of oxygen to the infant during labor and delivery can result in severe developmental delays such as cerebral palsy, or, in the worst case scenarios – death.
Many birth injuries are caused by the following:
- Failing to monitor, detect, or treat maternal infection
- Failing to plan and carry out an emergency C-section
- Failing to identify and treat a prolapsed umbilical cord
- Failing to use birth-assist tools correctly
Our team can investigate the circumstances surrounding your infant’s injury to determine the cause, and subsequently, who may be held liable for the injury.
PA Birth Injury Result Obtained by Our Philadelphia Medical Malpractice Lawyers – $1.7 Million Recovery
Baby suffered a hypoxic ischemic injury due to hospital staff delaying the delivery of the baby after mother went to Hospital ER complaining of bleeding and early labor.
Common Types of Birth Injuries in PA Medical Malpractice Lawsuits
Birth injuries can lead to lawsuits when they are caused by medical negligence or improper care during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. Some common types of birth injuries that may lead to a lawsuit include:
Cerebral Palsy
- Description: Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder affecting movement, balance, and posture. It can result from brain damage caused by oxygen deprivation (hypoxia) during childbirth.
- Potential Negligence: Failing to recognize signs of fetal distress, delayed C-section, or improper use of delivery tools like forceps or vacuum extractors.
Erb’s Palsy (Brachial Plexus Injury)
- Description: Erb’s palsy occurs when the brachial plexus nerves (which control arm and hand movement) are damaged during delivery, often due to excessive force during birth.
- Potential Negligence: Improper handling of shoulder dystocia, improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors.
Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)
- Description: HIE is a brain injury caused by oxygen deprivation during or shortly after birth. It can result in long-term developmental delays, cognitive impairments, or cerebral palsy.
- Potential Negligence: Failure to monitor fetal oxygen levels, failuree to recognize signs of fetal distress, delayed delivery during a critical period, or improper resuscitation after birth.
Fractures (e.g., Clavicle Fracture)
- Description: Sometimes, babies suffer broken bones during delivery, particularly the clavicle (collarbone), which can occur in difficult births.
- Potential Negligence: Excessive force during delivery, mishandling shoulder dystocia.
Facial Nerve Damage
- Description: Facial nerve damage may occur during delivery, causing facial paralysis, which can be temporary or permanent.
- Potential Negligence: Improper use of forceps or excessive pressure applied to the baby’s face during birth.
Spinal Cord Injuries
- Description: Spinal cord injuries during birth can lead to paralysis or neurological impairments.
- Potential Negligence: Improper use of instruments or excessive force during a breech or complicated delivery.
Intracranial Hemorrhage (Brain Bleeding)
- Description: This is bleeding in or around the brain, which can result in permanent brain damage or developmental issues.
- Potential Negligence: Mismanagement of difficult deliveries, failure to perform a C-section, or improper use of delivery tools.
Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS)
- Description: This occurs when a baby inhales meconium (their first stool) during labor, which can cause breathing problems, lung damage, or infection.
- Potential Negligence: Failure to monitor the baby’s health during labor or delayed medical response when signs of fetal distress are present.
Perinatal Asphyxia
- Description: Perinatal asphyxia is a condition in which a baby does not get enough oxygen before, during, or just after birth. It can lead to permanent brain damage or death.
- Potential Negligence: Delayed recognition of signs of fetal distress, delayed emergency C-section, or improper management of umbilical cord issues.
Fetal Lacerations
- Description: These are cuts or injuries to the baby’s skin, which can occur during a C-section or other surgical procedures.
- Potential Negligence: Carelessness during C-section surgery or improper handling of surgical tools. Improper use of forceps or vacuum during delivery.
Maternal Injuries Impacting Baby
- Description: Maternal complications, such as untreated infections or excessive blood loss during labor can also result in harm to the baby. Also, pre-eclampsia (a pregnancy-related high blood pressure condition), if left untreated can result is harm to the baby.
- Potential Negligence: Failing to properly monitor or treat maternal conditions, which can lead to complications for the baby. Failure to diagnose and treat pre-eclampsia
Delayed Delivery
- Description: Delaying delivery in cases where it is urgently required can lead to complications like oxygen deprivation, which can cause brain damage or even death.
- Potential Negligence: Failing to perform a timely C-section when indicated or not addressing prolonged labor.
Medication Errors
- Description: Administering the wrong medication or wrong dosage during labor and delivery can cause serious harm to the baby.
- Potential Negligence: Prescribing inappropriate drugs for the mother or baby, administering incorrect dosages, or failure to monitor the effects of medication.
Wrongful Death
- Description: In extreme cases, a birth injury can result in the death of the baby.
- Potential Negligence: Failure to recognize and act upon signs of fetal distress, delayed intervention, or improper handling of complications during labor.
Begin a Free Case Evaluation with a Pennsylvania Birth Injury Lawyer!
Since 2015, our firm has recovered more than $75 million in verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients, including birth injuries that occur during labor and delivery. This showcases our ability to achieve big results without losing a fraction of personal attention and devoted service to our clients. In fact, our client focus is the secret to our success. When we truly care about the client and about securing their futures, we aggressively advocate on their behalf, putting quality over quantity.