Seven Common Birth Injuries That Are Often the Result of Medical Malpractice
There is no happier occasion than bringing home a new baby. When a baby suffers a birth injury, however, it can be devastating. Some birth injuries cannot be avoided, but others are the result of medical malpractice. If your newborn suffers from one of these seven birth injuries, contact an experienced birth injury lawyer.
-Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a permanent
birth injury that causes weak or underdeveloped muscles and affects your baby’s motor functions. The severity and symptoms of CP can vary:
- Decreased range of motion;
- Delays in speech, movement, and intellectual development; and
- Involuntary or uncontrolled muscle movements.
CP can be caused by premature birth, inadequate oxygen, infection during pregnancy, or other complications of pregnancy.
-Injury to the Brachial Plexus
The brachial plexus is a nerve network that emits muscle-controlling signals from the spine to the shoulders, elbows, wrists, and hands. Injury can occur when these nerves are severely pulled, stretched, ripped, or compressed during childbirth. Such injuries can vary in severity and are classified in distinct categories:
- Neuropraxia: This is the most common form of brachial plexus injury, and it presents as muscle weakness, numbness, burning, tingling, or sensitivity in the affected area.
- Erb’s Palsy: This is a rupture of the brachial plexus that can cause weakness or paralysis in the arm and shoulder, loss of sensation and motor function in the affected area, and a weakened grip.
- Klumpke’s Palsy: This affects the lower brachial plexus nerves and often occurs when the infant’s arm is pulled during delivery; it can lead to muscle atrophy, loss of feeling, joint stiffness, and a drooping eyelid on the opposite side of the body.
- Neuroma: This occurs when scar tissue covers the injured nerve and makes it difficult for the nerve to send signals to the muscles.
-Birth Asphyxia
Birth asphyxia can lead to brain damage and is caused by a lack of oxygen to the infant’s brain or other organs before, during, or after delivery.
-Facial Paralysis
If a baby’s face is exposed to excessive pressure during childbirth, the child can experience facial paralysis, which can leave the baby unable to open and close one eye or make facial movements on that side.
-Bone fractures
-Cephalohematoma (bleeding under the infant’s cranial bone)
-Caput Succedaneum (swelling of the soft tissue on the baby’s scalp)
Bringing home a new bundle of joy is one of life’s greatest rewards, but if your baby has suffered a
birth injury, the results can be devastating. The legal team at Emroch & Kilduff understands how difficult birth injuries can be—both financially and emotionally—and we are here to help.
To speak with a skilled birth injury lawyer with the dedication, skill, and compassion to fight for your legal rights and your case’s most positive outcome, contact or call us at 804-358-1568 for an initial consultation.
