What are the Most Prevalent Birth Injuries?

A birth injury is a physical trauma to an infant or a fetus that occurs before, during, or after childbirth. Many birth injuries take place during the second stage of labor when the infant passes through the birth canal. A birth injury can result in intellectual disabilities, intracranial hemorrhages, brachial plexus injuries, and other serious injuries that can require ongoing medical treatment for years or for the rest of the victim’s life.

If your child was injured during labor and delivery, you may be eligible for compensation that can cover your child’s medical expenses and other losses.

What is a Birth Injury?

Birth injuries result from trauma that occurs before, during, or after birth. A birth injury can result in disfigurement or mental disabilities. Some injuries can be mild, requiring little care, while other injuries are more severe and can be life-threatening.

What Are the Common Causes of Birth Injuries?

A birth injury can occur for many reasons, including:

Delayed Birth

Prolonged labor is commonly associated with birth injuries. A labor that lasts past eighteen hours can place additional pressure on the infant’s brain, resulting in elevated blood pressure and fetal distress.

Oxygen Deprivation

A lack of oxygen during delivery may result in cerebral palsy. Lack of oxygen can occur due to a prolapsed umbilical cord, or if the infant gets stuck in the birth canal. When the brain is deprived of oxygen, it may leave the child with serious developmental and physical delays.

Medical Malpractice

Some birth injuries are caused by human error. Medical professionals that allow a vaginal delivery to continue, despite knowing that the infant’s size is preventing them from being delivered safely can be found negligent. Additionally, a physician who uses excessive force to speed up the delivery using forceps or vacuum extraction can increase the risk of a birth injury.

What Are the Most Common Types of Birth Injuries?

The most common types of birth injuries that lead to lawsuits include:

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is the result of brain damage that occurs during birth. Failure to monitor fetal distress, inadequate birthing techniques, and improper monitoring of the mother during labor can result in extreme hypoxic episodes, resulting in cerebral palsy.

Facial Paralysis

If there is too much pressure placed on an infant’s face during delivery, it can result in damaged facial nerves. Facial paralysis is more common when vacuum extraction or when forceps are used to pull the baby out.

Cephalohematoma

Cephalohematoma is a birth injury that’s marked by bleeding under the cranial bone, caused by the use of forceps. This condition can clear up in a matter of months but increases the infant’s risk of hypotension, anemia, jaundice, and meningitis.

Brachial Plexus

Brachial plexus involves damage to the nerves that travel from the upper spine to the neck and shoulder, traveling to the arm and hand. This type of damage may be temporary or permanent.

Fractured Collarbones

A fractured collarbone can occur during a complicated delivery. While this type of fracture can heal on its own, the infant may have to be immobilized to treat the injury.

Perinatal Asphyxia

Perinatal asphyxia occurs when an infant does not receive sufficient oxygen. This can occur when there’s an oxygen deficiency in the blood or when there’s a lack of blood flow to the infant before or immediately after birth.

Caput Succedaneum

Swelling of the scalp which appears discolored or bruised is a common symptom of caput succedaneum. This injury is often caused by pressure on the scalp during delivery.

Spinal Cord Injuries

A spinal cord injury is the most serious type of birth injury. Spinal cord injuries can occur due to excessive force when using forceps.

Should I Speak to a Birth Injury Lawyer?

If your child suffered a birth injury you must contact a birth injury lawyer as soon as possible. A birth injury attorney can handle the insurance company, defense lawyers, and medical providers on your behalf, taking over every aspect of your case so you can devote your attention to your child and their recovery. They can also ensure you obtain the compensation your child is owed for their medical bills, pain and suffering, and more. Birth injury cases can be very challenging. An experienced birth injury lawyer will know how to investigate this type of complex incident and build a strong case that proves liability.

Contact Us Today!

If your child has suffered a birth injury due to negligence, don’t hesitate to seek legal help. Contact Friedland & Associates today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. Our experienced birth injury lawyers are dedicated to helping families navigate the legal process and secure the compensation needed to provide the best possible care and quality of life for their children.

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