While the birth of a child should be one of the greatest experiences of the parents’ lives, sometimes birth injuries mar the joy. There are different types of birth injuries, with some being only temporary and others permanent.
Brain-Related Injuries
Brain-related birth injuries are some of the most severe and can manifest in different ways. Typically, brain injuries occur because of oxygen deprivation during birth. There can be severe consequences from oxygen deprivation. The leading brain-related injury is cerebral palsy (CP). This injury affects around 800,000 children. CP can develop from a number of causes including oxygen deprivation, maternal infections, infant stroke and infant infection. Sadly, in many instances CP could have been avoided with correct preventative measures made by the physician. In some instances of CP, a physician may fail to monitor fetal distress and take the appropriate actions. When this type of negligent conduct occurs it is known as medical malpractice.
Physical Injuries
Muscle-related or other physical injuries are generally easy to diagnose as physicians can pinpoint where the paralysis or limited movement is coming from. Some injuries like this can be caused by blatant medical malpractice like broken bones, lacerations or bruises. Common muscle-related and physical birth injuries include:
- Brachial Plexus
- Erb’s Palsy
- Klumpke’s Palsy
- Shoulder Dystocia
Like CP, the above injuries can be avoided if proper care is taken. When it is not, it could qualify as medical malpractice.
Injuries from Delivery
Birth injuries can also arise during delivery. These types of injuries typically occur from the use of tools like a vacuum extractor or forceps. Other injuries could be the result of administering the wrong type of medication or mishandling the infant. If a physician fails to handle the delivery properly, the infant could also experience injuries related to high blood pressure, stress or even hypertension.
What Should I Do If My Baby Suffered a Birth Injury?
If you have discovered that your child has suffered a birth injury and now has a physical disability, you may not know what to do. That is why you should turn to the Fitzgerald Law Firm in New York. For over 40 years, our medical malpractice lawyers have successfully handled a wide range of birth injury cases. Thanks to our experience and skill, we have been able to help many children who now suffer from autism, cerebral palsy and other birth injuries due to medical negligence. Call us today for help.