Common Birth Injuries Caused by Practitioners

As the name entails, birth injuries are injuries caused during the birth process, either to an unborn child or a newborn infant. Whereas a birth defect is something that a child develops in the womb naturally, a birth injury is caused when a medical provider, such as a midwife, doctor, or nurse, does not act with a proper duty of care.

Here are a few common types of birth injuries and how our medical malpractice attorneys may be able to help families who are affected by such tragedies.

Infections

Newborns have essentially no immunity and are highly susceptible to communicable diseases. Doctors and nurses know this and must take the proper precautions to ensure a child’s health and safety. Failure to maintain a hygienic environment or properly treat infections can lead to serious complications or may be fatal for newborns.

Broken Bones

Certain steps must be taken to ensure that a baby is in the proper position during delivery. An unborn child may experience broken bones if a doctor does not monitor the child during the birthing process or if they use excessive force to extract a child, such as with the use of forceps.

Hypoxia

Hypoxia occurs when a baby does not get the oxygen it needs during the birthing process. This can occur when a delivery doctor or the nursing staff fails to properly monitor fetal heart rate or fails to address a placental abruption or an umbilical cord wrapped around a baby’s neck. Babies who suffer from hypoxia during delivery can experience serious and life-altering effects, such as brain damage or organ failure.

Cerebral Palsy

While some types of birth injuries may heal, others may have long-term impacts. Cerebral palsy (CP) can be the result of brain injuries during birth. This lifelong condition may affect an individual’s cognitive function and/or their ability to control their muscles. Brain damage leading to CP can be caused by improper use of forceps, hypoxia, infections, or failure to treat jaundice.

Brachial Plexus Injuries

Shoulder dystocia may occur if the delivery staff fails to monitor a child’s position during birth. This occurs when the child’s shoulders are not moved correctly through the birth cancel, leading to injuries to the baby’s brachial plexus nerves. These nerves allow the individual to control their arms and hands; damage to them can lead to Erb’s palsy or paralysis.

If your child sustained an injury during birth, our firm is here for you and your family. We will look into the details of your case to determine if medical providers acted negligently and fight for the compensation you need to heal.