Birth Injury

Giving birth is one of the most anticipated times in a mother’s life. And, in most cases, the birth process is trouble-free. That said, giving birth is a complex physical process for both baby and mother, and it is not always problem-free. As a mother-to-be, understanding the major types of birth injuries before having a child can help identify issues early. This not only gives you and your baby critical treatment time, it can aid in recognizing potential instances of malpractice. Our practice specializes in birth injury cases. Below, we have highlighted the four major birth injuries that we commonly see in our practice to help identify any medical malpractice sooner rather than later.

The diagnoses often associated with a birth injury include:

Brachial plexus injuries

Bone fractures

Brain damage

Caput Succedaneum

Cephalohematoma

Cerebral palsy

Disfigurement

Erb’s palsy

Facial paralysis

Horner’s syndrome

Intracranial hemorrhages

Meningitis

Nerve injuries

Oxygen deprivation

Shoulder dystocia

Spinal cord injuries

Common Causes of Birth Injuries

By definition, a birth injury refers to the physical harm that can happen before, during or shortly after the delivery of a baby.  The common causes of birth injuries include:

Failure to identify, monitor or act on fetal distress

Lack of blood or oxygen to the brain

Use of excessive force during a delivery

Misuse of instruments during a delivery

Exposure to bacteria

Placental abruption

Placenta previa

Respiratory distress

We hope you and your family never have to deal with the pain of a birth-related injury or death, but it is a reality. If you know of someone or suspect you have experienced any of these complications during the birth process, please contact us to better understand the available options.