Having a baby should be one of the happiest times of your life. However, on occasion, due to someone else’s negligence it can quickly change and become a nightmare. A birth injury is a traumatic event for both mother and baby to go through. A liable party should be held responsible in the case of a birth injury.
Birth injuries typically occur while the baby is in transit through the birth canal. For most babies, this is a smooth process, with no complications. In other instances, there are serious injuries as a result. A birth injury can result in high medical costs and lingering emotional pain.
If your child has suffered because of a birth injury, it is essential you get a personal injury attorney. A qualified birth injury attorney can help you pinpoint the responsible party and help you file a claim. No act of negligence by medical personnel should be excused. Contact a personal injury attorney today.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) one in every 33 babies that are born in the United States, suffers from some form of birth injury. Childbirth is a complicated procedure that has no room for carelessness. A person who was negligent in their role during childbirth should be held responsible.
During birth, you are completely at the mercy of medical personnel. There is no room for recklessness during a childbirth procedure. The lawyers at Larian Law Firm are compassionate for mothers and their children suffering from a birth injury. We understand the legal and ethical duties that medical professionals must follow. Our attorneys are familiar with medical malpractice cases and aggressively pursue the compensation they deserve. Call (310) 720-0505 or submit an online contact form today.
There are two major injuries that occur at birth; brain injury due to lack of oxygen during childbirth and birth injury suffered due to trauma. Birth injuries are also likely to occur if the fetus is lying in an abnormal position in the uterus before birth
A birth injury can occur when a fetus is too large and the birth canal is too small. It is often seen in mothers with diabetes. Larger babies require doctors to use forceps and vacuums which can contribute to the baby’s injuries. Birth injuries can result in lifelong medical and emotional costs.
According to Medscape, some of the most common types of birth injuries include:
- Broken Bones and bruising, especially the collarbone, skull, or arm
- Cerebral palsy
- C-section Delay or Mistakes
- Vaginal Birth after Cesarean Section (VBAC) Complications
- Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy
- Umbilical Cord Problems
- Injury from Improper Use of Forceps or Vacuum Suction
- Shoulder Dystocia Complications
- Brachial Plexus Injury
- Erb’s Palsy / Brachial Plexus Injuries (BPI)
- Intracranial Hemorrhage/Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
- Spinal Cord and Cranial Nerve Injuries
- Facial Paralysis
- Caput Succedaneum
- Cephalhematoma
Additionally, prolonged labor can also be a factor leading to long-term injury. It is up to the doctor’s or mother’s discretion to deliver the baby via cesarean delivery based on ultrasonography and prenatal assessment findings.
Birth injuries are not limited only to the child. Negligence in a childbirth procedure can also lead to complications with the mother. Some common birth injuries that can happen to the mother include:
- Injuries from Anesthesia
- Failure to Diagnose and Treat Preeclampsia
- Incontinence of Bladder or Bowel
- Improper Use of Pitocin
- Sheehan’s Syndrome
- Pregnancy Induced Hypertension or High Blood Pressure
- Stroke, Hypoxia or Anoxia
- Amniotic Fluid Embolism
- Delay or Failure to Perform Cesarean Sections
- Injuries from Improperly Performed Episiotomy
- Impaired Sexual Function
- Massive Hemorrhage
- Death
There are many situations during childbirth that require emergency obstetrical cesarean section. If proper steps are not taken by medical professionals, the fetus can suffer from severe hypoxia or asphyxia, or other significant brain injuries.
An obstetrical emergency requires a delivery within 15-20 minutes or less in order to prevent serious brain and birth injuries to the baby. Some common obstetrical emergencies include:
- Umbilical cord compression during labor and/or delivery
- Prolapse of the umbilical cord during delivery
- Uterus Rupture
- Separation of the placenta before delivery
It is estimated that almost half of all birth injuries are avoidable. Medical professionals are required to find a proper diagnosis of all the fetal and maternal risk factors. This information will assist the hospital personnel to successfully deliver the baby without complications.
Some common negligent actions to cause a birth injury include:
- Pitocin Dosing Errors
- Failure to Detect or Respond to Signs of Fetal Distress
- Failure to Treat Umbilical Cord Problems or Placental Abruption
- Failure to Detect or Treat Maternal Infections
- Failure to Regularly Monitor Fatal Heart Rate
- Delayed Cesarean Section Delivery
- Improper Management of Shoulder Dystocia
- Excessive Force when using Forceps or Vacuum
Nothing is more difficult than knowing that your child has suffered due to the negligence of a doctor or hospital. A birth injury results in a lifetime of care and medical expenses for the families involved. If your child has been injured in a birth injury, it is best that you contact a personal injury attorney.
Compensation can never completely fix or repair the damage caused by a birth injury. However, financial recovery may help pay medical and emotional costs that are triggered by the incident. The attorneys at Larian Law Firm have handled many medical malpractice cases and have gained settlements in the millions. Larian Law Firm approaches every client with caring and understanding. We want to help you recover and be your partner in this legal process.
Our firm has the experience, resources, and knowledge necessary to successfully litigate your birth injury claim. Call our office today at (310) 720-0505 to schedule a free consultation.
