Ask a Birth Injury Lawyer: What Are the Most Common Birth Injuries?
A birth should be a joyous occasion and a celebration of life. When your child experiences a birth injury, though, it can cause a lifetime of trauma and hardship. When injuries result in permanent damage and disability, nothing can truly undo the damage, of course. But a birth injury lawyer in Baltimore can help you both get compensation to make life easier and send a message: that it’s never more important to be careful and professional than when helping to bring a new life into the world.
Ask a Birth Injury Lawyer in Baltimore: What Are the Most Common Birth Injuries?
Cephalohematoma
Cephalohematoma is a type of bleeding that occurs under the scalp and is caused by trauma during delivery. It usually resolves on its own within a few weeks, but in rare cases, it can lead to jaundice or anemia.
Fractured Collarbone
A fractured collarbone, also known as a clavicle fracture, is a rare but serious injury that can occur during delivery. It is caused by excessive traction on the shoulders during delivery. The long-term outlook depends on the severity of the fracture and can range from a full recovery to permanent disability.
Temporary Brachial Plexus
Temporary brachial plexus injury is an injury to the nerves in the shoulder that can occur during delivery. It is caused by excessive traction on the head and shoulders during delivery and can result in weakness or paralysis of the arm. The long-term outlook again depends on the severity of the injury.
Perinatal Asphyxia
Perinatal asphyxia is a lack of oxygen to the baby during delivery. Various factors, such as placental insufficiency or cord prolapse, can cause it. The long-term outlook can range from no long-term effects to permanent neurological damage.
Erb’s Palsy
Erb’s palsy is a type of paralysis of the arm caused by injury to the upper brachial plexus during delivery. The long-term outlook depends on the severity of the injury at the time, and again, the child may make a full recovery or suffer a permanent disability.
Klumpke’s Palsy
Klumpke’s palsy is a type of paralysis of the hand and wrist caused by injury to the lower brachial plexus during delivery. As with other injuries, the result can be anything from a full recovery to a permanent disability.
Facial Nerve Paralysis
Facial nerve paralysis is caused by trauma to the nerve during delivery and can result in drooping of the face on one side. The long-term outlook depends on the severity of the injury.
Subconjunctival Hemorrhage
A subconjunctival hemorrhage is a broken blood vessel in the eye that can occur during delivery. It is usually benign and resolves on its own within a few days, but in some cases, it can lead to complications such as infection or glaucoma.
Was It Medical Negligence?
Medical negligence, also known as medical malpractice, is the failure of a medical professional to provide the appropriate standard of care. To determine if medical negligence caused a birth injury, it is necessary to conduct a thorough investigation and review of the medical records and circumstances surrounding the birth, which your lawyer can help you with.
A healthcare provider may be considered negligent if they failed to monitor the mother and baby during labor and delivery properly, failed to recognize and respond to signs of distress, or failed to use proper medical equipment or techniques during delivery.
How Your Lawyer Will Help
Investigating
A lawyer can conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the birth and collect relevant medical records, witness statements, and other evidence to determine if medical negligence occurred.
Identifying Responsible Parties
A lawyer can determine who is liable for the injury, whether it be the doctor, hospital, or another healthcare provider. In some cases, there may be multiple parties responsible.
Proving Negligence
A lawyer can work with medical experts to establish that the healthcare provider did not meet the appropriate standard of care and that this failure caused the injury.
Representation in Court
A lawyer can represent your family in court and advocate for you to receive the compensation you deserve and that your child may need for life.
Negotiating Settlements
A lawyer can negotiate settlements with the responsible parties to reach an agreement without going to trial. Learn more here about how your lawyer can help.
Helping You Understand Your rights
A lawyer can provide guidance and advice to families about their legal rights and options. This can be invaluable, as the medical parties involved may attempt to present the case as if it “couldn’t be helped” and leave you believing you have no option but to live with the outcome and its resultant expenses.
Bills and Claims
A lawyer can assist you with navigating insurance claims and medical bills, which can be very difficult to work through after a birth injury.
A birth injury can be life-altering. If your child has been injured because medical personnel involved were being negligent, contact a lawyer right away to find out more about your options.
