A birth injury is one of the most heart-wrenching situations a family can experience. There are several types of birth injuries that may happen, the most serious of which are injuries to the brain of the infant resulting from lack of sufficient blood flow or oxygen to the brain during the labor and delivery process. These types of birth injuries are often preventable and because of the delay in recognizing the problem, permanent and severe injuries may occur if prompt action is not taken, such as performing a caesarean section, also known as a
C section.
Another type of birth injury that may happen during labor and delivery is injuries to the infant resulting from trauma or infection, or even the combination of both, which may result in a more severe injury. In situations involving birth injuries, an experienced trial attorney will be able to examine the evidence, including the medical records. Examination of evidence such as the medical records is critical in any medical malpractice case involving a birth injury, in order to prove that the nurses, doctors, or medical facility was responsible for the injury to the infant.
The fetal heart rate monitor is used by medical staff and medical facilities to monitor the condition of the baby during labor and delivery. Often birth injuries happen because the nurses or doctors fail to correctly read the information from the monitor, notify the doctors of a problem, or take prompt action from the warning signs the fetal heart rate monitor provides.
Birth injuries from medical negligence may include:
Cerebral Palsy, which results from a lack of oxygen to the brain of the infant during labor or after delivery.
Mental Retardation, which refers to individuals with below normal brain function.
Erbs Palsy which is sometimes referred to as brachial plexus paralysis or Klumkes palsy, which leads to paralysis, facial paralysis, loss of muscle control or feeling in arms and hands, or the inability for the baby to crawl or even sit up.
Pregnancy induced hypertension, high blood pressure, or eclampsia, not properly monitored, can cause catastrophic results to both the mother and infant.
If you believe your child suffered serious injuries due to the negligence of a nurse, doctor, medical staff, or medical facility, you may have a case for medical negligence or medical malpractice. Contact a top medical malpractice attorney like Dr. Bruce G. Fagel immediately for a free consultation. Dr. Fagel is both a leading birth injury lawyer and a licensed medical doctor. So he understands exactly how the birth process should happen and where medical negligence or medical malpractice occurred in a birth injury.