Birth Injury and Trauma
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(866) 735-1102 Ext 320
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Childbirth is one of the greatest joys in life. But, unfortunately, there are many things that can and do go wrong during the process of labor and delivery.
Reports say that out of every 1,000 live births in the United States, eight to ten birth injuries are caused by medical malpractice or negligence. In certain cases, the mother can suffer injuries as well as the baby.
Medical malpractice or negligence occurs when a healthcare professional, such as a doctor, nurse, or nurse practitioner, or a healthcare facility, such as a hospital, urgent care center, or birthing center, fails to provide adequate standard of care and treatment to patients in their care.
Birth injuries and trauma can range from mild to severe. Anything between minor bruising and actual brain damage can happen. Though not all birth trauma is the result of medical malpractice or negligence, but some cases are.
Common birth injuries include bruising from the use of forceps, head swelling, facial paralysis, brachial palsy, fractured bones, and/or brain injury.
Cerebral palsy is a chronic medical condition that is the result of damage to a baby’s brain at the time of labor and delivery. This condition can be the result of medical malpractice. Remember that malpractice can be caused by both actions taken and actions not taken when necessary.
Some medical errors that can be considered malpractice or negligence include failure to respond to fetal distress, delay in ordering cesarean section, misuse of forceps, and/or inadequate management of excessive bleeding.
Evidence of birth injury may not necessarily be apparent immediately after birth. In some cases, symptoms do not display for days, weeks, months, or even years. The financial burden of caring for a child that has suffered birth injuries can be devastating unless assistance is made available to the individuals involved.
