A birth injury refers to an injury sustained, to the mother or child, due to the negligence of medical staff responsible for care during a procedure. It can be difficult to differentiate between a birth injury and a birth defect. When an infant has an issue with their health due to their genetics that is present before birth it’s referred to as a birth defect. A doctor does not cause a birth defect, whereas a doctor does typically play a role in a birth injury, usually happening before or shortly after birth. Contact our Pennsylvania birth injury lawyers at Zafran Law Group to discuss a possible medical malpractice case.
What Are Common Birth Injuries?
Childbirth is a delicate process, and healthcare providers should be highly skilled and aware of the potential risks before engaging in any birthing procedures. Some of the most common birth injuries are the result of healthcare providers using improper or negligent procedures.
Some common birth injuries are:
Brain hemorrhages, jaundice, general nerve damage, and hematomas are also all common birth injuries related to medical malpractice. If you believe your baby experienced a birth injury, contact the experienced Pennsylvania birth injury lawyers at Zafran Law Group to discuss your case.
What Are The Causes Of Birth Injuries?
There are many causes of birth injuries and can vary from missed diagnoses to outright improper techniques and procedures being used that injure the child or mother.
If you or your baby has experienced a birth injury, contact the experienced birth injury lawyers in Philadelphia at Zafran Law Group to discuss your case.
Some healthcare providers fail to make a critical diagnosis of either the child or mother’s health during the birth process, which can result in dangerous complications that put both lives at risk. These commonly include infections that are easily passed from mother to child.
Misusing these tools can cause severe injuries to the baby’s brain, head, neck, or spinal damage.
Healthcare providers can miss cues that indicate the need for a C-Section, instead of proceeding with delivery via a potentially dangerous natural birth.
This is very common, and a cause for a great deal of brain damage and related complications post-birth.
Many birth injuries are the result of the improper drug being administered, or the incorrect dose.
What Are The Few Signs That Might Indicate A Serious Birth Injury?
Although some birth injuries, like Cerebral Palsy, may not be apparent for weeks or months, many others have clear warning signs. These signs include:
- Delayed development: If your baby is not reaching developmental milestones at the expected age, it could be a sign of a birth injury.
- Physical abnormalities: Visible birth defects or unusual physical features can indicate a birth injury.
- Difficulty feeding or swallowing: Problems with feeding or swallowing can sometimes be associated with birth injuries.
- Excessive crying or irritability: If your baby is unusually fussy or cries excessively, it might be a sign of discomfort or pain related to a birth injury.
- Seizures: Seizures are a serious symptom that can sometimes be associated with birth injuries.
- Muscle weakness or paralysis: Difficulty moving limbs or muscle weakness can be a sign of a neurological birth injury.
- Sensory issues: Problems with sight, hearing, or touch can be related to certain birth injuries.
- Respiratory problems: Difficulty breathing or persistent coughing could indicate a respiratory birth injury.
Can A Mother Suffer From A Birth Injury?
Mothers can be just as susceptible to injuries as their babies. Some of these injuries can affect the mother for the rest of her life. These can include:
- Vaginal tearing and scarring
- Uterine ruptures
- Increased rates of infection
- Improper stitching following a C-section or other procedure
- Misprescribed medications
Contact the experienced Pennsylvania birth injury lawyers at Zafran Law Group to discuss your legal options.
Is A Birth Injury Considered Medical Malpractice?
In most cases, a birth injury is considered medical malpractice. Some birth injuries can simply be the result of congenital defects and disorders that are unrelated to the quality of care provided by a healthcare professional. However, many causes for birth injuries are overlooked or worsened by a healthcare provider and are therefore considered medical malpractice. It is important to work with a Pennsylvania birth injury attorney experienced in birth injuries to determine whether a birth injury was due to malpractice on behalf of a provider.