When Birth Injuries Turn Catastrophic
At the time of labor or during the delivery process, an unborn infant may suffer devastating injuries. In many cases, these types of injuries are preventable.
Birth injuries may also be an outcome of medically improper decisions taken by the doctor. Sometimes the doctor may not have used appropriate care necessary in the process of childbirth. Other times, they have made a terrible decision that was incongruous with their training and established medical protocol.
Birth Injuries due to Medical Negligence
The negligence of the medical team may cause childbirth-related injuries for the mother as well as the newborn infant.
Broken Bones
During childbirth, fractured bones are one of the most frequently occurring injuries. This involves fracturing a bone in the body. It may occur due to trauma to the bone or force. A bone can become broken in any area of the body. For instance, an individual may sustain a clavicle fracture, skull fracture, or elbow fracture. Besides, there may be a hairline fracture, jaw fracture, or spinal fracture.
The treatment for fractured bones depends on various fractures, such as the severity and location of the fracture. Fractures may be unavoidable in many cases. However, in other cases, these injuries might have been avoidable by practicing careful observation or using another course of treatment, such as cesarean delivery.
Brain Trauma
When the brain sustains a sudden impact, it may cause brain injury. The force of the impact typically determines the severity of the damage. Some causes of brain trauma are an object striking the head, or the head striking an object, or due to the brain undergoing some aggressive motion. The Center for Disease Control states that traumatic injuries to the brain are the primary cause of death and disability in the US.
Cerebral Palsy
There are many variants to cerebral palsy, such as spastic, athetoid, and cerebral palsy. This condition usually causes a person to lose control of their movements. Cerebral palsy develops in the initial years after birth, and it can cause muscle stiffening in the arms and legs.
The severity of the condition will determine the course of treatment, which may include drug therapy or physical therapy. Many patients may require surgery. As of now, cerebral palsy has no known cure.
Erb’s Palsy
Erb’s palsy is a nerve-related injury and is also called Brachial plexus birth palsy. This usually occurs when the infant’s shoulder or neck is excessively stretched at the time of childbirth.
The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons indicates that the condition is thought to impact one to two out of every 1,000 infants. It usually develops due to damage sustained by a group of nerves in the neck region. This condition may lead to loss of movement in the baby’s arms, numbness, and weakness.
Facial Paralysis
Facial paralysis causes babies to lose muscle movement in the face and surrounding areas. It happens due to excessive strain placed on the facial nerve, either prior to or during childbirth. This condition becomes more pronounced when the baby cries.
Other symptoms of the condition include the inability of the baby to shut their eyelids, uneven lower face, or irregular mouth movements. In severe cases, facial paralysis treatment may involve surgery or specialized therapy.
Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy
Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy develops when the infant’s brain does not get a sufficient flow of oxygen. Developmental issues, cerebral palsy, death of brain cells, epilepsy, and brain damage. Some severe cases may even cause fatalities if the condition is not diagnosed and treated promptly.
Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy is related to Anoxia. It may develop due to improper administration of anesthesia, traumatic brain damage, surgical errors, and carbon monoxide poisoning. Mild symptoms of this condition include sweating, reduced vision, dizziness, and sleepiness. In severe cases, the symptoms of Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy include coma, seizures, and brain cell death.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries typically occur due to back, neck, or head trauma, which may cause a dislocation or fracture of vertebrate. It may cause disability and irreversible damage as well as complications such as sores, heart issues, extreme pain, scoliosis, and bladder dysfunction.
Wrongful Death
A wrongful death occurs when the death of an individual results from the recklessness or negligence of another individual. The failure to detect a problem, wrong prescription, wrong diagnosis, surgical error, or a birth injury may lead to wrongful death in the case of a baby.
Consult with Qualified Birth Injury Attorneys
If you believe that you or a loved one has experienced medical malpractice, contact the experienced medical malpractice attorneys at Garmo & Garmo Attorneys at Law, LLP. We understand that monetary compensation can never make up for your losses, but it can certainly help with medical treatment and bills. Call us today at (619) 441-2500 for a free initial consultation.
