A birth injury of any kind can be a devastating incident for a family. Some birth injuries will entail long-term complications for the mother and/or her child. Some of them are incredibly damaging or even fatal.
Kenneth M. Sigelman & Associates understands how devastating birth injuries of any kind can be, and we are dedicated to providing comprehensive and reliable legal counsel to any family that has experienced such an injury. Review the following list of the most common types of birth injuries resulting from medical negligence if you are unsure whether a recent experience would qualify as grounds for legal action. A San Diego birth injury attorney can clarify your rights and options in this kind of situation.
Cerebral Palsy
This condition affects about one of every 1,000 children born in the US. It is a blanket medical term used to describe brain damage resulting from oxygen deprivation prior to or during childbirth. There is no cure for cerebral palsy and no real way to judge the effects of the condition until the manifest. Some children with cerebral palsy only experience minor disruptions to normal development, while others are left profoundly disabled.
Cerebral palsy manifests on a wide spectrum. Many parents of children who develop cerebral palsy from medical negligence file birth injury claims to secure compensation for the medical expenses the diagnosis entails and other damages, such as the family’s pain and suffering.
Brachial Plexus Injuries
The brachial plexus is a cluster of nerves that extend from the base of the skull and the neck through the collarbone and shoulder regions. During natural childbirth, the baby’s head and shoulders must pass the birth canal. Unfortunately, large babies may have difficulty clearing such a narrow opening, especially at the shoulders where their bodies are widest. Mothers with narrow hips and birth canals may also have trouble delivering even a normal-sized baby.
Shoulder dystocia occurs when the baby’s shoulders become trapped in the mother’s birth canal. When this occurs, shoulder dystocia could cause a brachial plexus injury if the delivery team uses improper force in freeing the baby. Some brachial plexus injuries cause physical and motor skill development delays, while others result in paralysis.
Surgical Instrument Injuries
Some doctors must use forceps, vacuum extractors, and other surgical tools to assist in delivery. Proper use of these tools aims to reposition a baby and ensure a safer delivery. Because of the highly sensitive nature of childbirth, doctors may only use certain instruments under specific conditions. If a medical professional uses a surgical instrument at an inappropriate time or fails to use the instrument correctly, the baby could suffer very severe injuries.
Forceps and other surgical tools used during delivery may cause Caput Succedaneum, or swelling, bruising, and discoloration of the scalp. Surgical instruments may also cause debilitating spinal cord injuries, cephalohematoma, and other potentially fatal wounds during delivery.
Perinatal Asphyxia
This condition describes oxygen deprivation before a baby is born or immediately after it is born. A baby who experiences perinatal asphyxia might suffer seizures, shock symptoms, brain damage, or fall into a coma. Perinatal asphyxia can also be fatal.
One of the most common causes of perinatal asphyxia is failure to monitor patient vital signs during childbirth procedures. It is essential for the delivery team to carefully monitor both the mother and the baby’s vital signs during all phases of delivery.
Taking Legal Action for a Birth Injury
These are only a few examples of the birth injuries a family might experience when attending medical professionals do not uphold the standard of care for a delivery. A family struggling to determine the best steps to take after any kind of birth injury should consult a San Diego birth injury attorney as soon as possible to determine their best available options for legal recourse.
Kenneth M. Sigelman & Associates has years of experience handling difficult cases involving birth injuries. These medical malpractice claims can be especially troublesome to navigate as they often involve severe emotional distress on the part of the family. Attorney Sigelman offers the professional counsel of both a doctor and an attorney with solid experience as both a medical professional and a personal injury attorney.
When you choose Attorney Sigelman as your San Diego birth injury lawyer, you can rest assured our team will go to every length to assist you in maximizing the compensation you secure from your claim. A birth injury case can be tremendously difficult to handle without the right legal representation, and you can expect Kenneth M. Sigelman & Associates to provide comprehensive and compassionate representation through all phases of your case. Contact us today to learn more about how a San Diego birth injury attorney can assist in your family’s recovery.