BIRTH INJURIES
During labor and delivery, medical complications can result in birth injuries. Cerebral palsy and Erbs palsy are the most common cases we handle. Doctors and health care professionals must exercise the utmost care to avoid injury to babies during the especially vulnerable times of labor induction, Cesarean section, and mechanically assisted (forceps) births. Babies who experience severe oxygen deprivation to the brain, or head trauma, during these delicate obstetrical procedures often die or face lifelong disabilities. Approximately 10,000 babies each year develop Cerebral palsy (a condition which impacts the ability to control movement) as a result of oxygen deprivation. Oxygen shortage also causes hypoxic-ischemic cephalopathy brain damage. Other types of traumatic obstetric birth injuries include prenatal asphyxia, Erbs Palsy or Brachial Plexus Palsy, Klumpke's Palsy, Torticollis, and Shoulder Dystocia. Fractures, spinal cord trauma, cephalohematoma and intracranial hemorrhage may be the result of preventable obstetrical damage. Common errors for which medical providers may be held responsible are as follows:
- Difficult or prolonged labor (often due to a large baby);
- Failing to detect the umbilical cord wrapped around a baby's neck;
- Unreasonable delay in performing an emergency Cesarean section;
- Failure to test and treat conditions during pregnancy, or misdiagnosis
- Failing to recognize negative fetal signs
Labels: injury, malpractice
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