The birth of a child is something many American families look forward to. The process of childbirth, however, can be very challenging for most women.
If the doctor in charge is not qualified to assist in the birth or makes a mistake, it can lead to birth injuries.
A child’s entire life could be affected by a birth injury. The law gives families the right to seek compensation in such circumstances. You should hire an experienced birth injury attorney to help you file the injury claim, as it can be complicated to sue medical professionals for damages.
Here are 5 birth injuries that are caused due to the negligence of healthcare professionals.
1. Erb’s Palsy
Erb’s palsy is an injury to the brachial plexus, which is a network of nerves that control the arm. This injury can occur in newborns if they are pulled too hard during birth. Signs of this injury include a limp arm, weakness, or lack of movement in the arm. In some cases, the nerve damage can resolve on its own, but in most cases, physical therapy is required to heal the injury.
2. Fractured Collarbone
The collarbone connects the arm to the body and is also called the clavicle. This bone can be injured during birth, especially if the head or shoulders get stuck in the birth canal during delivery. It’s a common injury that can be healed by using a sling to limit movement. In rare cases, surgery may be required to heal the injury, but this injury typically heals in a couple of weeks.
3. Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a brain injury that is caused by a lack of oxygen supply to the brain during birth. This injury can occur during prolonged labor or conditions like umbilical cord prolapse and can lead to long-term brain injury. Symptoms of this injury include seizures, difficulty breathing, or an unresponsive baby. A possible treatment is cooling the baby down to prevent further brain damage.
4. Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a brain disorder that affects muscle coordination. It occurs during birth if the baby’s head is injured or the baby is deprived of oxygen. If the medical professional fails to respond quickly or recognize distress, it can lead to cerebral palsy. This is a condition that cannot be cured, but the symptoms can be managed with medication. Symptoms of this injury include muscle weakness or stiffness and difficulty with coordination or balance.
5. Facial Nerve Injury
Nerves that run through a baby’s face control the movement in that region. If these nerves are damaged during delivery, by the use of forceps or during vacuum delivery, it can lead to paralysis. In most cases, facial nerve injuries resolve on their own in a few weeks, but in some cases, surgery may be required. If a baby has difficulty moving an eye or its mouth, it could be an indication of a facial nerve injury.
Conclusion
Childbirth is a complicated process, and if not handled by qualified medical professionals, it can lead to serious injuries. It is important that parents be aware of the medical errors that can occur during childbirth and ensure their doctor is well-prepared to handle any eventuality. If the baby is still injured despite their best preparation, parents should be aware that they can sue for compensation.
Hiring a good lawyer is the first step in this process, as it can be difficult to prove medical negligence. While it can be exhausting to go through this process, it’s important for parents to do so in order to hold the medical professional accountable and win compensation with which they can cover the medical expenses for their child. This is especially important for those who do not have savings to fall back on.