Birth iNjury Attorneys

Hypoxia

Hypoxia occurs when a baby’s brain and other organs don’t receive enough oxygen during birth. This lack of oxygen can cause significant damage, leading to long-term developmental issues or disabilities. A traumatic birth, such as prolonged labor or complications during delivery, can increase the risk of hypoxia. If your child has suffered from hypoxia, consulting a birth injury attorney can help you understand your legal options for seeking compensation.

Signs of Trauma: Signs of hypoxia in newborns can include low Apgar scores, bluish skin (cyanosis), weak muscle tone, slow or absent reflexes, difficulty breathing, and seizures. Long-term signs may involve developmental delays, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems due to brain damage caused by a lack of oxygen.

Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a type of brain injury that occurs when the brain doesn’t receive adequate oxygen and blood flow, usually during a traumatic birth. HIE can result in severe and permanent neurological impairments, including motor dysfunction and cognitive delays. It’s crucial to recognize the signs early and seek medical and legal assistance. A birth injury attorney can help families navigate the complexities of HIE cases to secure necessary resources and support.

Signs of Trauma: Newborns with HIE may exhibit signs such as low muscle tone (floppiness), weak or absent reflexes, difficulty feeding, seizures, and reduced responsiveness. Long-term effects can include cerebral palsy, cognitive impairments, epilepsy, and other neurological disabilities, depending on the severity of the brain injury.

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect movement, muscle tone, and posture, often resulting from a brain injury like HIE during a traumatic birth. It can cause varying degrees of physical impairment and developmental challenges, affecting a child’s quality of life. If cerebral palsy was caused by medical negligence, a birth injury attorney could help you pursue compensation to cover medical expenses and long-term care needs.

Signs of Trauma: Signs of cerebral palsy often include abnormal muscle tone (either too stiff or too floppy), involuntary movements, difficulty with balance and coordination, delayed milestones like crawling or walking, and challenges with fine motor skills. These symptoms can vary in severity, impacting overall mobility and daily functioning.

Shoulder Dystocia

Shoulder dystocia occurs when a baby’s shoulder gets stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone during delivery, often resulting in a traumatic birth. This condition can lead to serious injuries such as nerve damage or fractures. Immediate medical intervention is required to minimize harm. If shoulder dystocia was improperly managed, a birth injury attorney can assist in determining if medical negligence occurred and what legal actions may be necessary.

Signs of Trauma: Shoulder dystocia can cause immediate signs of injury, such as a visibly stuck shoulder during delivery, bruising, and swelling of the affected arm. Long-term damage might include nerve injuries like brachial plexus palsy, fractures of the collarbone or arm, and limited movement or weakness in the affected limb.

Brachial Plexus Palsy

Brachial plexus palsy is a birth injury that involves damage to the network of nerves controlling the arm and hand, often due to a traumatic birth where excessive force is used. This injury can lead to weakness, loss of sensation, or paralysis in the affected arm. A birth injury attorney can provide guidance on how to seek compensation for medical treatments and therapies that may be required for recovery.

Signs of Trauma: Newborns with brachial plexus palsy may have an inability to move their shoulder, arm, or hand on the affected side, a limp or paralyzed arm, and decreased grip strength in the hand. Over time, this can lead to muscle atrophy and reduced arm functionality if not treated properly.

Erb’s Palsy

Erb’s palsy is a type of brachial plexus palsy caused by nerve damage during a difficult or traumatic birth, such as with shoulder dystocia. This injury can result in arm weakness or paralysis, affecting a child’s ability to perform everyday tasks. Legal representation from a birth injury attorney can help families explore their rights and pursue compensation for medical care and rehabilitation.

Signs of Trauma: Erb’s palsy typically presents as weakness or paralysis in the arm, a lack of muscle control in the arm or hand, and an inability to move the shoulder. The affected arm may also hang limply, and there could be a loss of sensation. Early intervention is crucial for the best possible recovery.

Brain Damage

Brain damage in newborns can result from various complications during a traumatic birth, including oxygen deprivation or physical trauma. The effects can range from mild cognitive impairments to severe disabilities, impacting a child’s overall development and quality of life. A birth injury attorney can help determine if medical malpractice contributed to the brain damage and assist in pursuing legal recourse.

Signs of Trauma: Signs of brain damage in newborns can include abnormal reflexes, excessive crying or irritability, feeding difficulties, and seizures. As the child grows, brain damage might present as developmental delays, cognitive impairments, and issues with coordination or motor skills.

Developmental Delays

Developmental delays refer to when a child does not reach developmental milestones within the typical age range, often due to injuries sustained during a traumatic birth. These delays can affect motor skills, language, social skills, and cognitive functions. Identifying these delays early and seeking legal help from a birth injury attorney can ensure families receive the support and compensation they need for ongoing care.

Signs of Trauma: Developmental delays are often identified when a child does not achieve milestones, such as rolling over, sitting up, crawling, or speaking, within the expected age range. Other signs can include difficulties with fine and gross motor skills, social interactions, and communication, often requiring ongoing therapeutic support.

Forceps Delivery

A forceps delivery is an assisted delivery method where a healthcare provider uses forceps to guide the baby through the birth canal. While sometimes necessary, improper use can lead to traumatic birth injuries, such as skull fractures, facial nerve injuries, or brain damage. If a forceps delivery has caused harm, consulting with a birth injury attorney is essential to determine if medical negligence was involved.

Signs of Trauma: Injuries from forceps delivery can include bruising or lacerations on the baby’s head and face, skull fractures, facial nerve injuries leading to facial asymmetry, and intracranial hemorrhages. If improperly performed, it may also result in longer-term neurological issues like cerebral palsy or brain damage.

Vacuum Delivery

A vacuum delivery involves using a suction device to assist in delivering a baby during a difficult or prolonged labor. While this method can be lifesaving in some cases, it can also result in traumatic birth injuries, such as scalp wounds, skull fractures, or brain bleeds, if not performed correctly. Families affected by vacuum delivery injuries may seek the advice of a birth injury attorney to understand their legal options and rights.

Signs of Trauma: Signs of damage from a vacuum delivery might include scalp wounds or lacerations, cephalohematoma (a collection of blood under the scalp), skull fractures, and, in severe cases, brain bleeds. These injuries can lead to long-term complications, including developmental delays and neurological disorders if not managed correctly.