Birth injuries can turn one of the most joyful moments for parents into a time of stress and even grief. People anticipating the joys of new parenthood or the excitement of expanding their families suddenly have to account for the medical challenges caused by preventable birth injuries.
There are numerous birth injuries that commonly occur in the United States, with the five below being among the most common. In cases where medical mistakes cause birth injuries, parents may have grounds to take legal action against medical professionals or facilities.
1. Erb’s palsy
Both natural vaginal deliveries and assisted delivery can sometimes lead to Erb’s palsy. Also known as Erb-Duchenne paralysis or a brachial plexus birth injury, Erb’s palsy involves damage to the nerves in the neck that leads to difficultly using one arm. With physical therapy and other early interventions, children generally make a full recovery from Erb’s palsy.
2. Cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy is a condition marked by cognitive and physical developmental challenges. Typically, cerebral palsy is the result of injuries to the brain while in utero. Oxygen deprivation during a high-stress delivery could cause cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy can produce a variety of different symptoms depending on the extent of the damage to the child’s brain, and the symptoms typically persist for life.
3. Fractures, often of the collarbone
The pressure of delivery, especially when the infant enters the birth canal in a twisted position, can cause fractures or broken bones. The use of assistive force to facilitate delivery can increase the risk of a fracture. With care, bones broken during delivery usually heal fully.
4. Facial nerve damage
Facial nerve damage, or facial nerve palsy, is the result of damage to cranial nerves. Often, facial nerve damage is the result of a difficult, protracted labor or the use of forceps to facilitate delivery. The infant may require treatment and therapy to regain lost facial movement.
5. Trauma to the head and face
Newborns often have visible signs of improperly-administered interventions or a difficult birth. In some cases, they may experience caput succedaneum, which entails their scalp swelling and bruising. Other times, the baby could experience a subconjunctival hemorrhage where blood vessels break in the eyes. Babies might even have lacerations that could scar if there are injuries from medical tools sustained during delivery.
Pursuing a medical malpractice lawsuit might be possible when a birth injury was preventable and the result of mistakes made by health care professionals. New parents can recoup lost wages and increased medical expenses through a successful malpractice lawsuit.
