If your child suffered harm during a complicated labor and delivery, were medical professionals to blame? There are instances when healthcare providers make grave mistakes. A simple error or lapse in judgment during the birthing process can result in long-term complications for both mother and baby.
As a parent, you deserve answers and justice for your newborn child. At The Rothenberg Law Firm LLP, we are well-versed in birth injuries caused by medical negligence. We help families take action and pursue compensation to alleviate the high emotional and financial cost of caring for an injured child. An experienced Brooklyn birth injury lawyer can determine whether your child’s condition stems from negligence.
Explore your options and how we can help secure a brighter future for you and your child by arranging a free and confidential consultation today.
How Common Are Birth Injuries?
Compared to a few decades ago, the rate of birth injuries in New York and around the nation has steadily declined. Despite advances in prenatal care and obstetrics, an estimated 6 out of every 1,000 babies in the U.S. suffer injury or trauma during the delivery process. Analysis of CDC data indicates that adverse outcomes can occur during pregnancy, delivery, or shortly after birth.
While many factors can contribute to a child’s birth injury, some fall under your medical provider’s control. Holding doctors, hospitals, and healthcare professionals accountable for their misconduct can be daunting. Hiring a respected Brooklyn personal injury lawyer with experience in these cases is vital. The Rothenberg Law Firm has recovered billions of dollars on behalf of clients and brings decades of expertise litigating these sensitive cases.
Different Types of Birth Injuries
The actions or inaction of your Ob-Gyn and delivery room staff can turn what is supposed to be a joyous occasion into one of sorrow and heartbreak. An infant deprived of oxygen for even a few minutes can suffer irreparable harm. When medical professionals fail to adhere to the accepted standard of care, newborns can suffer a range of injuries, including:
- Cerebral Palsy: is characterized by developmental and physical impairments. Cerebral palsy is an incurable condition that often stems from oxygen deprivation to the brain.
- Brachial Plexus Injury: is trauma to the delicate network of nerves in the neck and upper shoulders; this type of injury is also known as Erb’s Palsy. Brachial plexus injuries usually result in loss of muscle function and weakness.
- Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) is a type of brain damage caused by an interruption in oxygen-rich blood flow to the brain. Children with HIE often suffer severe neurological problems, seizures, and long-term disability.
- Spinal Cord Injury: caused by improper delivery techniques or a failure to diagnose certain diseases can damage the fetal spinal cord, resulting in motor impairments and paralysis.
- Fractures – of the skull or collarbone may occur during the birthing process because of misuse of forceps or a vacuum extractor.
Potential Symptoms of Birth Injuries in Infants
Physical and neurological symptoms of birth injuries are not always present in the days and weeks after a child is delivered. Immediate signs of hypoxia–or oxygen deprivation–during birth include poor color, low heart rate, weak reflexes, seizures, and abnormal eye movements.
Other symptoms of birth injuries in newborns can develop as the child grows older. Be mindful of children who fail to reach developmental milestones such as sitting up, crawling, rolling over, or walking.
Consult with your doctor if you notice any of the following:
- Muscle rigidity
- Abnormal posture
- Trouble holding objects
- Awkward or uncontrolled bodily movements
- Crying with an arched back
- Loss of certain motor functions
- Delayed or impaired speech
- Muscle spasms and tremors
If your little one is facing a challenging future and you’re considering litigation, consult with birth injury lawyers as soon as possible to ensure that legal deadlines are met.
Causes of Preventable Birth Injuries
When medical professionals and hospitals deviate from the standard of care, and this conduct harms your child–either before, during, or shortly after their birth–you may have the right to sue based on medical negligence. This type of malpractice takes many forms and may be committed by healthcare providers who take part in your pregnancy and delivery.
Liability for birth injuries may be traced back to the following:
- Failing to monitor for signs of fetal distress
- Failing to diagnose complications in a timely fashion
- Failing to treat uterine ruptures promptly
- Delays in a medically-necessary C-section
- Improper use of forceps or vacuum extraction
- Communication failures
- Improper administration of medications
- Failing to monitor a high-risk pregnancy
- Failing to treat maternal infection, diabetes, or preeclampsia
An experienced attorney will gather compelling evidence and consult medical experts to uncover the truth. Our legal team can establish whether your child’s injuries can be attributed to inexperience, breakdowns in communication, or other negligence on the part of the hospital or its staff.
Schedule a Free Consultation with The Rothenberg Law Firm
If you believe your child’s injuries were caused or exacerbated by negligent healthcare providers, we encourage you to reach out for a complimentary case evaluation. A successful lawsuit can secure monetary damages for past and ongoing medical costs for your child’s care, pain and suffering, lost income, special education, long-term disability, loss of future earnings, and diminished quality of life.
Contact us today to discuss your legal options and whether you have a valid birth injury claim. There are no upfront legal fees, and we only get paid if we win money damages in your case.
