BIRTH INJURY LAWYER

A Birth Injury Lawyer first determines if the trauma is naturally resulting or from medical negligence.

• A Personal Injury Lawyer brings claims for Birth injuries associated with medical error or hosptal negligence.
• A Birth Injury Lawyer evaluates the Standard of Care given to the mother to determine if there was medical negligence.
• A Personal Injury Attorney determines if failure to use adequate levels of care caused injury to the infant.

BIRTH INJURY: MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

A Birth Injury Lawyer must prove by expert testimony the injury to the infant was the reult of medical negligence..There are many routine tests and procedures that should be performed by competent medical providers during pregnancy to evaluate both the health and progress of your baby. These include a pelvic exam, calculation of the gestational age of the baby, measurement of your weight and blood pressure, tests of a sample of your urine to look for protein and sugar in the urine, measurement of the height of the fundus (top of your uterus), determination of the size and position of the baby, test of a sample of your urine to look for bacteria in the urine, blood tests to check for anemia, blood tests to check for diabetes when you are 28 weeks pregnant, blood tests for blood type and Rh antibodies, blood test to check for syphilis, cultures of cells from your cervix to test for infection, blood test for hepatitis, examination of your ankles and lower legs for swelling,

WHAT IS BIRTH INJURY?

Occasionally during the birth process, the baby may suffer a physical injury that is simply the result of being born. It is estimated that between two and seven babies out of 1,000 will become injured during the birth process. This is sometimes called birth trauma or birth injury.

WHAT CAUSES BIRTH INJURY?

A difficult birth or injury to the baby can occur because of the baby's size or the position of the baby during labor and delivery. Conditions that may be associated with a difficult birth include, but are not limited to, the following:

large babies - birthweight over about 4,000 grams (8 pounds, 13 ounces)
prematurity - babies born before 37 weeks (premature babies have more fragile bodies and may be more easily injured)
cephalopelvic disproportion - the size and shape of the mother's pelvis is not adequate for the baby to be born vaginally
dystocia - difficult labor or childbirth prolonged labor
abnormal birthing presentation - such as breech (buttocks first) delivery

WHAT ARE COMMON BIRTH INJURIES?

The following are common birth injuries:

caput succedaneum - Caput is a severe swelling of the soft tissues of the baby's scalp that develops as the baby travels through the birth canal. Some babies have some bruising of the area. The swelling usually disappears in a few days without problems. Babies delivered by vacuum extraction are more likely to have this condition.

cephalohematoma - Cephalohematoma is an area of bleeding underneath one of the cranial bones. It often appears several hours after birth as a raised lump on the baby's head. The body resorbs the blood. Depending on the size, most cephalohematomas take two weeks to three months to disappear completely. If the area of bleeding is large, some babies may develop jaundice as the red blood cells break down.

bruising/forceps marks - Some babies may show signs of bruising on the face or head simply as a result of the trauma of passing though the birth canal and contact with the mother's pelvic bones and tissues. Forceps used with delivery can leave temporary marks or bruises on the baby's face and head. Babies delivered by vacuum extraction may have some scalp bruising or a scalp laceration (cut).

subconjunctival hemorrhage - Subconjunctival hemorrhage is the breakage of small blood vessels in the eyes of a baby. One or both of the eyes may have a bright red band around the iris. This is very common and does not cause damage to the eyes. The redness is usually absorbed in a week to ten days.
facial paralysis - During labor or birth, pressure on a baby's face may cause the facial nerve to be injured. This may also occur with the use of forceps for delivery. The injury is often seen when the baby cries. There is no movement on the side of the face with the injury and the eye cannot be closed. If the nerve was only bruised, the paralysis usually improves in a few weeks. If the nerve was torn, surgery may be needed.

brachial palsy - Brachial palsy occurs when the brachial plexus (the group of nerves that supplies the arms and hands) is injured. It is most common when there is difficulty delivering the baby's shoulder, called shoulder dystocia. The baby loses the ability to flex and rotate the arm. If the injury caused bruising and swelling around the nerves, movement should return within a few months. Tearing of the nerve may result in permanent nerve damage. Brachial palsy is treated with immobilization of the arm with a brace or splint. Special exercises are also used to help maintain the range of motion of the arm.

fractures - Fracture of the clavicle or collarbone is the most common fracture during labor and delivery. The clavicle may break when there is difficulty delivering the baby's shoulder or during a breech delivery. The baby with a fractured clavicle rarely moves the arm on the side of the break. There may be bruising over the broken bone. Simply immobilizing the arm and shoulder is the recommended treatment and healing begins quickly.

A Birth Injury Lawyer will provide you a Free Consultation.

• They accept no fee until a money recovery is made for you. All fees come from successful case settlements.
• The client never pays an expense or fee unless the case is settled successfully.
• A Personal Injury Lawyer will visit you at Home or in the Hospital.
• They will also initiate an investigation of your case without cost to you.

If you or some you know are injured, we can help.

Dedicated to helping the injured...