Common Birth Injuries
When you’re about to have a baby, you hope that your brand-new infant will be perfectly healthy. However, there are potential complications that may arise during labor and delivery that can lead to serious injury. A birth injury is one that occurs before, during, or after delivery and can be the result of the negligence of a doctor or other medical professional. Some of these injuries will heal with time and proper medical treatment, but other injuries can lead to lifelong disabilities requiring many years of therapy and treatment. Some common birth injuries include:
Erb’s Palsy
An Erb’s Palsy injury can result from shoulder dystocia which occurs when a baby’s shoulders are too large for the birth canal. If a medical professional uses too much force on the baby’s head during delivery, it can result in stretched or torn nerves. Permanent injury to a baby, such as paralysis of an arm, hand, or finger can result.
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that can sometimes occur when there is a lack of oxygen during delivery or from direct trauma to the brain. Cerebral palsy can cause a variety of symptoms such as muscle spasms, seizures, and developmental delays. This birth injury can result in the need for lifelong medical care. Cerebral palsy can sometimes be the result of a failure by medical personnel to properly monitor the baby during labor, failure to recognize that a C-section is necessary, or the improper use of assistive devices during labor.
Brain Injuries
Brain injuries are the most serious form of birth injury. Brain injuries are typically permanent and cause physical and mental symptoms such as developmental delays. They can be the result of a lack of oxygen or physical trauma during delivery which sometimes results from the use of assistive devices such as forceps.
Fractures
Even though a baby’s bones are generally more flexible than an adult’s, they are still very delicate and can be fractured if the baby is not handled carefully and properly during delivery.
Cephalohematoma
Cephalohematoma typically appears several hours after a baby is born and can be caused by the improper use of assistive devices during delivery. Cephalohematoma is indicated by a bump on the top of a baby’s head that is a sign that bleeding is occurring beneath the cranium. The bump usually clears up in a few months, but there is a risk of complications.
Contact a Trusted Attorney
If your baby has been injured as the result of negligence, you should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. Contact the trusted lawyers at Abrahamson & Uiterwyk online or call us at 1-800-538-4878 to schedule your free consultation.