Months and months of medical care lead up to the birth of a child. When expecting parents know that the time is finally right for delivery they typically go to the hospital because they believe that both the mother and baby will receive the best possible care there. Many times this belief holds true and both mother and child will leave the hospital healthy & happy. However mistakes, like anesthesia errors, can occur the can lead to severe injuries or even the death of the mother or baby. In tragic situations like these, you need an advocate who will stand-up and fight for your family. The attorneys of Sullivan & Galleshaw are dedicated to supporting those who have suffered an injury or wrongful death due to the wrongful acts of another person.
Types of Common Birth Injuries
There are unfortunately many types of injuries that can occur to a still unborn child during development and delivery. While advances in medical care have reduced the likelihood and severity of many common birth injuries, they can still occur. Common birth injuries include:
- Caput succedaneum – This condition occurs when there is a significant swelling of the soft tissues of the baby’s scalp that develops and worsens during the birthing process. Babies delivered by vacuum extraction are more likely to have this condition.
- Subconjunctival hemorrhage – A sub-conjunctival hemorrhage, or a bleeding in the eyes, occurs when there is a breakage in the small blood vessels located in the eyes of a newborn. The condition can occur in one eye or both eyes.. This is very common and does not cause damage to the eyes. The redness usually resolves within about 10 days.
- Facial paralysis — Pressure on a newborn’s face during delivery can cause nerves in the face to be injured. Alternatively, pressure from the forceps utilized during delivery can also cause this condition. This injury is typically apparent when the newborn cries and there is no movement on one side of the face. Mild cases typically resolve on their own within about 7 to ten days. However more severe instances where the nerve has torn requires a surgical procedure to correct.
- Brachial plexus palsy — Brachial palsy or Erb’s palsy occurs when the brachial plexus nerve grouping suffers damage or injury. This condition most frequently occurs when shoulder dystocia is present. Brachial palsy results in the newborn losing the ability move, flex, and rotate his or her arms. While a minor occurrence of this condition due to bruising and swelling around the nerves will resolve within several months, more serious occurrences of this condition may cause permanent damage. Tearing of the nerve may result in permanent nerve damage. If the condition is correctable, rehabilitative exercises are used to to improve the arm’s possible range of motion.
- Bone fractures – A fracture of a newborn’s clavicle or collarbone is one of the most common injuries that can during labor and delivery. A difficult delivery or a breach delivery increase the likelihood that a bone fracture will occur during delivery. A child who has suffered a fractured clavicle will rarely moves the arm on the side of the break. The child typically requires treatment in the form of a brace or splint.
- Cerebral palsy – Cerebral palsy is a collection of permanent movement & perception impairments due to damage to the motor control centers in a developing brain. This damage can occur during pregnancy, during labor & delivery, or up until roughly age 3. This condition can cause problems with touch & sensation, problems with depth perception, cognitive impairments, epilepsy, and poor motor skills.
Birth injuries can be the product of medical malpractice, mistakes in the administration of anesthesia, or surgical errors during the delivery of the child.
What Can I Do If My Newborn Was Injured During Delivery?
If your child suffered a life-altering injury at birth or during gestation due to a medical error or doctor’s mistake you and your child may be entitled to compensation. This compensation can help you secure supportive therapies that can improve your child’s ability to function and his or her quality of life. A Sullivan & Galleshaw attorney is attuned to your family’s emotional needs while litigating strategically and aggressively. To schedule your free and confidential birth injury consultation, call 718-843-0300 or contact us online.