Birth Injury Lawyer
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that as many as 1 in 33 children are born with birth defects, which is about 3% of all babies born in the United States each year. Plus, the CDC reports that birth defects are the leading cause of infant deaths. Furthermore, the unhappy and unfortunate consequences of a severe injury or death of a mother or child during the birthing process is a devastating tragedy, and families may need the assistance of a birth injury lawyer to receive compensation for any birth harm or death caused by negligent or careless medical providers.
Types of birth injuries
Birth injuries to mother or child happen more often than you might think, and include some of these:
- Erb’s palsy
- Cerebral palsy
- Paralysis
- Intraventricular hemorrhage
- Spinal injuries
- C-section injuries
- Forceps injuries
- Infections
- Broken bones
- Hemorrhage or bleeding
- Eclampsia or preeclampsia
Cerebral palsy is a brain injury involving a malfunction in an infant’s muscle control. As many as 80 percent of cerebral palsy cases occur during pregnancy or childbirth. Common causes include infections such as meningitis, bleeding on the brain, or a lack of oxygen (hypoxia) to the brain.
Erb’s palsy is a condition which results from damage to the nerves in the shoulder, called the brachial plexus, and leads to muscle weakness or a loss of movement in the arms. It can occur due to excessive pulling during childbirth, which is why c-section births may be best for large or at-risk infants. Erb’s palsy can require surgical reconstruction to restore proper function.
Eclampsia can cause seizures in pregnant women and can lead to the premature birth or stillbirth of infants. Pre-eclampsia is the precursor to eclampsia and obstetricians should be on the lookout for any symptoms that may point to this condition, including rapid weight gain and high blood pressure. A late diagnosis or failure to diagnose these conditions can not only lead to a stillborn child but can also be a serious threat to the birth mother, resulting in injury or death.
When to consult with a birth injury attorney
Birth defects and birth injuries can result in lifelong health complications and substantial financial expenses. A birth injury lawyer has the knowledge and experience necessary to navigate complex birth injury lawsuits. Birth injury and medical malpractice attorneys rely on expert medical witnesses to analyze and testify in settlements and court trial. Many injury attorneys have well-established relationships with the medical experts who can provide the necessary support required to battle physicians, hospitals, and insurance companies.
Choosing a lawyer to handle a complicated injury case is an important decision that can impact the rest of your life. While birth injury suits typically address harm to infants, many birth injury attorneys also handle cases of wrongful death and catastrophic or personal injury to the mother during the childbirth process or can be of assistance if either the mother or baby is harmed by a defective medical device or product.
To have a consultation with about a birth injury lawyer about your personal situation, contact an injury attorney in your local area.
Source: Birth Injury Lawyer Fort Lauderdale, FL, Needle & Ellenberg, P.A.