People might think that birth defects and birth injuries are synonymous when they’re really two very different things. A birth defect is a structural change to any part of a baby’s body or internal organs that can be caused by genetics, exposure to toxic substances, or physical trauma not caused by a doctor or other medical practitioner.
A birth injury, then, is negligent harm caused to a child in the womb or during delivery by a medical practitioner. This individual can be anyone from a doctor to a nurse, surgeon, or another licensed medical professional who is charged with the care of the mother and her child.
Birth injuries are often caused by mishandling the child immediately before, during, or after delivery, although they can also be sustained by failing to properly monitor the infant’s condition and providing medical intervention.
Five Common Birth Injuries You Should Know About
It’s every parent’s hope that their new child comes into the world as healthy and well as possible, Unfortunately, however, many children are born with birth injuries that can adversely affect their lives or tragically cut them short.
When a medical practitioner is responsible for a birth injury, the parents of the affected child can sue them and other parties responsible for the birth injury. With a medical malpractice lawsuit, it may be possible to recover compensation to help the parents deal with the financial consequences of the birth injury. These may include medical bills and/or burial costs if the child passed away.
1. Cerebral Palsy
Damage to one’s brain during birth can result in Cerebral Palsy, a lifelong condition that impairs one’s use and control over one’s muscles. It’s a condition often sustained when medical staff improperly use forceps or a vacuum to remove the child from the birth canal. It can also occur when a child experiences hypoxia or an infection during birth.
2. Hypoxia
Hypoxia is a condition that occurs when a baby isn’t getting enough oxygen to its brain. This commonly happens when the umbilical cord wraps around the baby’s neck prior to delivery, although this isn’t the only why hypoxia occurs. Medical staff members are trained to look for signs of hypoxia by monitoring the baby’s heart rate and intervene as soon as possible to prevent the condition from worsening.
3. Brachial Plexus Injuries
The Brachial Plexus is a network of nerves near the neck and shoulder that is responsible for control over one’s arms and hands. Mishandling a child during or after birth can damage these nerves, resulting in paralysis in the child’s arms and/or hands.
There are a few conditions that can result from this kind of birth injury. A common one is Erb’s Palsy, which occurs when an infant’s shoulders aren’t properly aligned when the child is removed from the birth canal.
4. Bone Fractures
A bone fracture in an infant can mean lifelong disability or even death. As with other birth injuries, a medical professional’s mishandling of the newborn before and after delivery can result in bone fractures. Due to the child’s age and rapid growth, these injuries may lead to malformed limbs and other lifelong complications.
5. Infections
When a baby is born, its immune system isn’t nearly as developed as a full-grown adult. Hospitals with poor hygiene standards can cause an infection that cut put the newborn’s life in jeopardy. If a baby is exposed to the viruses that cause the cold or flu, it may develop pneumonia, which may be lethal considering how underdeveloped the child’s immune system is.
What Your Baby Injured During Birth? Contact Us for Help.
A birth injury can be devastating to confront, both emotionally and financially. Fortunately, parents of children who suffered birth injuries can hold the medical staff responsible in court and recover compensation.
Although these financial resources can’t undo what has already occurred, they can ease newly acquired financial burdens to provide parents with the freedom they need to cope with what has happened.
If you are interested in learning more about legal services that The Law Offices of David Henderson can provide, please schedule an initial consultation with us. Once we learn more about your situation, we can offer legal services that can help you recover what you deserve.
Call (888) 295-6566">(888) 295-6566 or contact us online to schedule your consultation today.