What Types of Birth Injuries May Be Caused by Medical Malpractice?

 Posted on November 20, 2020 in Medical Malpractice

Birth injuries occur when an infant is injured during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. Some birth injuries are unavoidable, but others are the direct result of negligence or error on the part of a doctor, nurse, technician, or another medical worker. If your child was injured or passed away during the birthing process, you may be unsure of who is to blame. You may suspect that medical mistakes played a role in your child’s injury, but do not have proof to verify this. In situations like these, an experienced medical malpractice attorney is needed to evaluate medical records, consult with medical experts, and launch a full investigation into the circumstances of the injury.

Medical Mistakes Can Lead to Debilitating Injuries to Infants
Birth injuries can cause an infant to experience unnecessary suffering and ongoing medical complications. An injured baby may need specialized care well into childhood or even adulthood. Parents of injured children may become overwhelmed with medical expenses and other costs related to the injury. If the birth injury was preventable, the parents may be entitled to compensation for these costs through a medical malpractice claim. Birth injuries that may possibly be the result of medical negligence include:

• Asphyxia: When an infant does not receive enough oxygen, he or she can suffer brain damage that results in significant impairment. Umbilical cord issues, placental abruption, uterine rupture, and several other complications can lead to asphyxia. A baby who does not receive enough oxygen may develop cerebral palsy or other medical conditions that require a lifetime of medical attention.
• Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE): Oxygen deprivation can also result in HIE. Reduced blood flow to the baby’s brain or low oxygen levels in the blood can cause brain damage that may result in the child suffering from severe developmental delays and motor impairments.
• Brachial Plexus Injuries: Shoulder dystocia occurs when a baby’s shoulder(s) become wedged in the mother’s pelvic area and the baby cannot travel through the birth canal properly. A doctor may use forceps, vacuum extraction, or other tools and procedures to help guide the baby through the birth canal. However, improper use of these procedures may result in damage to the baby’s spinal cord or brachial plexus nerves. Brachial plexus injuries can lead to Erb’s Palsy as well as full or partial paralysis of the arms.
• Stillbirth: The death of an infant is a loss that is incomparable to any other. Fetal death may be caused by problems with the umbilical cord or placenta, infections such as toxoplasmosis, preeclampsia, and other medical complications.

Contact a Bloomington Birth Injury Lawyer
Doctors and hospitals have a legal obligation to provide competent medical care. This includes accurately and promptly recognizing and treating medical complications during childbirth. If you suspect that medical negligence caused or contributed to your infant’s injury or death, contact the reputable law firm of Kanoski Bresney for help. Call our office today at 888-826-8682 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a skilled Champaign medical malpractice attorney from our team.

Sources:
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/stillbirth/topicinfo/causes
https://www.ucsfbenioffchildrens.org/conditions/birth_asphyxia/