What Birth Injuries Are Caused by Negligence?

Childbirth should be a joyous and safe experience for both the mother and the newborn. However, in some cases, birth injuries occur due to medical negligence or malpractice during labor and delivery. These injuries can lead to long-lasting physical and emotional consequences for the child and the family and may constitute a need to file a medical malpractice claim. The following are possible birth injuries that can be caused by medical negligence.

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a group of neurological disorders that affect muscle control and movement. It can result from oxygen deprivation to the baby’s brain during labor and delivery, often due to medical negligence such as delayed or improper response to fetal distress or failure to perform a timely cesarean section (C-section).

Brachial Plexus Injuries

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves controlling the arm’s movement. Brachial plexus injuries, such as Erb’s or Klumpke’s palsy, can occur when excessive force is applied during delivery, leading to nerve damage. Shoulder dystocia, where the baby’s head is delivered but the shoulders become stuck, is a common scenario for these injuries.

Facial Nerve Injuries

Pressure on the baby’s face or the use of forceps during delivery can lead to facial nerve injuries. This can result in facial weakness or paralysis, often preventable through careful delivery techniques.

Fractures

While some bone fractures during childbirth are unavoidable, negligence can lead to excessive force being used during delivery, resulting in bone fractures, such as fractures of the clavicle or collarbone.

Intracranial Hemorrhage

Intracranial hemorrhage refers to bleeding within the baby’s brain. This can occur due to trauma during delivery, mainly when vacuum extractors or forceps are used incorrectly. Bleeding in the brain can cause severe and permanent brain damage.

Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)

HIE is a brain injury that occurs when the baby’s brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen and blood during labor and delivery. This can happen due to conditions like umbilical cord compression, placental abruption, or a prolonged and difficult delivery. HIE can lead to lifelong neurological deficits.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Improper techniques or excessive force during delivery can lead to spinal cord injuries in newborns. These injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis, depending on the severity.

Wrongful Death: In the most tragic cases, negligence during childbirth can result in the wrongful death of the newborn. This can occur due to various factors, including failure to monitor fetal distress, improper use of medical instruments, or delayed C-section.

Birth injury cases are highly complex and emotionally charged. If you suspect that your child’s birth injury resulted from medical negligence, it is crucial to seek legal advice from experienced medical malpractice attorneys who can help you navigate the legal process, gather evidence, and seek compensation for the damages and hardships your family has endured. These cases aim to hold healthcare providers accountable for their actions or inactions and, ultimately, prevent similar tragedies from occurring. To discuss your medical malpractice birth injury claim, contact our legal team at Moriarty Injury Lawyer. Call our Atlanta, GA, office to request a free consultation about your case.