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Most Common Birth Injuries and When to Call a Lawyer
There is no moment that compares to holding your child for the first time, the deep feeling of tenderness and immeasurable love but also the feeling of responsibility and protectiveness. Bringing a child into the world should be cause for joy and celebration, but what happens when something goes wrong? You still love your child, of course, and want what’s best for them, so if you think there was medical negligence involved, contact our birth injury lawyers right away.
Scartelli Olszewski P.C. are your Birth Trauma Lawyers in Scranton, PA
While not every birth injury is caused by medical negligence, some happen because a doctor, nurse, or other medical professional failed to provide proper care. Understanding the most common types of birth trauma can help parents recognize the signs of a birth injury early, get the right medical treatment, and know when it may be time to speak with an attorney.
Most Common Birth Injuries
- Cerebral palsy – A group of disorders affecting movement, muscle tone, or posture, sometimes caused by brain damage before, during, or shortly after birth. It results from a lack of oxygen to the baby’s brain during delivery
- Brachial palsy – Weakness or loss of movement in an arm caused by injury to the brachial plexus nerves during delivery, often due to shoulder dystocia or excessive pulling
- Brain injury – Damage to brain tissue can affect a child’s physical or cognitive development. During birth, it can occur from oxygen deprivation, head trauma, or untreated complications from the childbirth process
- Bruising on the face or head – Discoloration and swelling can be caused by broken blood vessels under the skin. These can occur from the use of forceps, vacuum extraction, or prolonged pressure during labor
- Cephalohematoma – Bleeding between a baby’s skull and its fibrous covering, often caused by pressure during delivery or the use of birth-assist devices. While this usually resolves on its own, it can sometimes lead to other complications
- Bone fractures – Breaks in the bone that can happen when a baby is stuck during delivery or when excessive force is used to assist birth
- Facial paralysis – Loss of movement in part of the baby’s face caused by injury to the facial nerve during delivery, which may happen if there is prolonged pressure on the face or improper use of forceps.
While not every birth injury is medical malpractice, some certainly are and if you aren’t sure, let us know and we will give you a consultation.
