The birth of a child for Pottsville area residents is usually a joyous occasion. The new child is anxiously anticipated for months before it is born. Most births go as expected, with no complications, but occasionally a birth injury can occur.
There are several different birth injuries that a newborn can suffer. One birth injury is the failure to recognize different scenarios that are causing stress to the baby. A medical provider can fail to recognize hypertension in the birth mother or can fail to perform a C-section in a timely manner. Both of these situations can cause serious injuries in newborns.
Another birth injury is cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is a broad term that means that there is a problem with the baby’s movement and brain function. It can be caused by injury in the womb, during delivery and sometimes after birth. It can be caused by inadequate oxygen, head trauma or an extremely premature birth. Children with cerebral palsy can have movement disorders, difficulty rolling over, standing up, decreased muscle tone and other serious complications.
Erb’s palsy is a birth injury whereby the baby’s brachial plexus is injured. These nerves affect the arms and hands. Babies can have paralysis or limpness in their arms or hands, limited movement and a loss of sensation. This injury can be caused by excessive pressure being put on the baby’s shoulders or head through the use of forceps or vacuum during delivery.
If a child has been affected by any of these birth injuries the parents may wish to get more information about the legal options. It is important to review medical records and determine what happened to cause the baby’s injuries. If it is found to be a doctor error or negligence on the part of medical personnel, compensation may be available for medical expenses, pain and suffering and other damages.
Source: Findlaw.com, “Birth injury overview“, accessed on Feb. 4, 2015