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Birth Injury Lawyer - Obstetrical Error
Attorney
Medical malpractice which occurs during a mother's pregnancy or labor and delivery
may result in a birth injury, including cerebral palsy, erb's palsy, shoulder dystocia, or brachial
plexus injury.
Medical negligence which happens during the labor and delivery of a child can
harm the mother as well as the child. Injuries suffered by the newborn can cause serious or
life threatening complications.
Contact an experienced birth injury lawyer
today.
While a small percentage of birth injuries occur, the lifetime consequences can be devastating
to the baby and family. The unborn child is fragile, and the newborn's bones or nerves can be
fractured or damaged during the delivery, resulting in lifelong developmental disabilities.
These disabilities, also known as neurological disorders, can include cerebral palsy, learning
disabilities, and brain damage.
Cerebral palsy is the most common birth injury resulting in a birth injury lawsuit.
"Cerebral palsy" is a catch all term referring to several conditions in which the brain injury
impairs the child's ability to control the body. There are some causes other than medical
malpractice which result in cerebral palsy. A lawyer experienced in birth injury can help determine
whether a serious error by the doctor, nurse, or midwife, was responsible for the brain injury in
you newborn.
One of the primary causes of birth injury related cerebral palsy is birth asphyxia, which is
when the infant does not receive enough oxygen during the delivery. Medical staff who fail to
properly conduct electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) during the delivery process, or provide other
proper post-birth observations, may in some circumstances be held liable if birth asphyxia is
determined to have been the cause of a birth injury. When delivery doctors suspect that birth
asphyxia may occur, they may order a cesarean section (or c-section), which could reduce its
likelihood. A failure to perform the emergency, or "stat," c-section procedure when warranted may
constitute medical malpractice.
Many obstetrical experts conclude that the stat c-section must be performed within 30
minutes of EFM results which show sustained fetal distress. This is the called the "decision
to incision" rule or window.
Additionally, cesarean section, forceps use, episiotomy and vacuum delivery, are all procedures
that, when performed improperly, can lead to complications. Birth injuries may also be the result
of complications during pregnancy that health professionals have failed to identify such as:
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Asphyxia neonatorum
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Kernicterus
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Fetal Anoxia
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Erb's Palsy
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damage to nerves that carry signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm,
and hand. It is usually caused by damage to the shoulder during the
delivery.
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Erb's palsy is also called Horner's Syndrome
If you suspect that medical negligence or obstetrical error resulted in a birth injury to your
infant, you should consult an experienced birth injury lawyer. Among our personal injury attorneys
is a former defense counsel who represented major medical centers and doctors in birth injury
malpractice lawsuits.
The scope of financial damages caused by a severe birth injury are staggering. Lifetime
care for birth injured infants are among the highest of all economic losses in any personal injury
lawsuit.
Our dedicated personal injury attorneys may be able to help you recover the financial damages
needed to make up for the huge harms and losses caused by obstetrical malpractice, including:
- Future medical expenses
- Loss of income
- Advanced therapies
- Advanced rehabilitation
- Life care planning
- Intervention programs
- Emotional suffering
There are strict time limits for filing a birth injury claim. In fact, a birth injury
attorney should be consulted immediately after birth, even if the extent of the injuries is not yet
known.
Contact our Personal Injury Lawyers and Attorneys today.
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