The Most Common Types Of Medical Malpractice Birth Injuries
There is nothing more devastating for parents to see their child suffer. This can be made even worse when the suffering is caused by the negligence of medical professionals. At name of firm, our birth injury attorneys understand that devastation and that is why we work diligently to get families the justice they deserve. We know that birth injuries can leave a baby suffering with long-term and life-long disabilities.
Although some injuries are unavoidable, many others are caused by medical negligence during the mother’s pregnancy, labor, delivery, or post-delivery. The most common types of medical malpractice birth injuries we see at our firm include the following:
Brachial Plexus Injuries
The group of nerves that controls the muscles in the shoulder, arms, elbows, wrists, and hands is called the brachial plexus. If these nerves are damaged during labor or delivery, the baby can suffer paralysis and weakness. This injury can for a few months, up to the rest of their lives. Injuries to the brachial plexus can occur if the doctor pulls too hard on the baby’s shoulders or head during delivery or incorrectly uses forceps or a vacuum. It can also occur if the doctor proceeds with a breech birth (feet first) despite knowing the consequences.
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy can occur when the baby does not get enough oxygen. Babies who suffer birth trauma that leaves them with cerebral palsy are left with permanent injuries, including muscle spasms, weakened muscles, and impaired motor function. Many victims also suffer from impaired speech, vision, hearing, and seizures.
Cerebral palsy is completely avoidable in many cases when it is the direct result of medical professionals to fail to recognize the baby is not getting enough oxygen during labor or delivery, fails to see that the baby was tangled up in the umbilical cord, failure to perform a C-section when necessary, failure to diagnose the baby has jaundice, and failure to use medical equipment carefully during delivery.
Erb’s Palsy
When the area near the upper part of the brachial plexus is injured, the baby can suffer Erb’s palsy. Symptoms of this type of injury include paralysis in arms, weakness in arms or shoulders, weak grip, or loss of sensation in the arms.
Klumpke’s Palsy
If the doctor pulls the baby out of the birth canal by an arm that the baby has extended above the head, this can cause nerve damage to the lower area of the brachial plexus. This injury can cause complete loss of feeling in the arm or hand, muscle atrophy, drooping eyelids on one side of the face, and stiffness in joints.
Intracranial Hemorrhages
Intracranial hemorrhages are also referred to as brain bleeds. These injuries can cause damage to brain, nerves, bones, and the spine. There are four types of hemorrhages a baby can suffer:
- Cerebral hemorrhage: Bleeding in the brain
- Intraventricular hemorrhage: Bleeding into the area where spinal fluid is produced (ventricular system)
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage: Bleeding between most inner membranes of the brain.
- Subdural hemorrhage: Bleeding from a ruptured blood vessel
Contact a Birth Injury Attorney Today
If your baby suffered birth trauma and you suspect negligent medical care was the cause, contact a birth injury attorney, today. We will schedule a free case evaluation and determine what kind of financial compensation your family may be entitled to.
