There are few things in life more heartbreaking than childbirth injuries, many of which were preventable. Some result in serious lifelong issues and sadly, others result in the death of the child or the mother. After months of joyful expectations, one act of negligence can end all hopes of a healthy baby, should the baby survive. While there are times when medical malpractice is clear from the very beginning, other times it could take the investigative prowess of an experienced legal team of birth injury lawyers to determine what went so radically wrong.
Unfortunately, there are so many different types of injuries that parents aren’t even aware of the fact that it could have been a case of medical malpractice and not something the child was genetically predisposed to. Here is a list of some of the most common birth injuries to be aware of.
Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)
This particular birth injury is permanent and is the result of the depletion of oxygen from insufficient blood flow. The rate of disability and/or death is very high from injuries resulting from HIE. It is also one of those injuries where the fault may only be proven by the experience and expertise of a child birth injury lawyer, like those at Romanucci & Blandin.
Cerebral Palsy
Sadly, cerebral palsy was often written off as the result of genetics, but newer evidence clearly shows that there is only a genetic predisposition to the condition. Cerebral palsy results in developmental delays and impairment of physical mobility.
Injuries to the Spinal Cord
Injuries to the spinal cord during birth are more common than you may believe. As a result of being injured, the child could be riddled with neurological problems and paralysis that could also be permanent but may be temporary in a small number of cases.
Perinatal Asphyxia
Asphyxia refers to oxygen deficiency that sometimes resolves without intervention. However, a doctor might base his or her next action on that hypothesis. Unfortunately, without immediate intervention, the neurological damage can be long-term to permanent.
Brachial Plexus Injury
Injuries resulting from brachial plexus are caused by nerve damage to the shoulders and upper arms. They are usually the result of pulling a baby forcefully out during labor. One form of brachial plexus is called Erb’s palsy and it can impact hand/arm coordination, which is permanent.
Fractured Bones
This is another type of birth injury, often the result of improper use of tools or incorrect following of procedures. A baby’s bones are delicate and can be fractured easily. Most commonly, the bones injured are in the head, neck, and shoulders.
Facial Paralysis
Yet again we see another type of birth injury directly related to the improper use of tools. The child would be left with a face that is drooping or asymmetrical.
Intracranial Hemorrhage
This translates to bleeding inside the baby’s skull and if what is causing the bleeding isn’t located and resolved immediately, the baby can have long-term brain damage.
These are the most common birth injuries often associated with medical malpractice but can also be written off as genetic issues. If you feel that you and your baby have been victimized by medical malpractice, consult with an attorney at your earliest convenience. You deserve just compensation if the medical team and doctor are found at fault.
