A "birth injury" is as any type of harm occurring to an infant's body before, during or immediately after birth. Recent statistics have shown that approximately 27 of every 1000 babies born in the United States suffer from birth injuries. Complications in the process of pregnancy, labor, and delivery can result in a wide variety of complications, many of which may seriously injury a newborn baby. Though there are many natural and unavoidable reasons which a birth injury may occur during labor and delivery, many innocent babies are injured as the result of mistakes made by negligent and careless physicians and hospital staff. For example, some careless mistakes include use of excessive force during delivery, a delay in performing a Cesarean section, or not properly calculating the size of the baby.
Birth injuries vary greatly, ranging from minor harm to extremely serious injuries which may result in a long term disabilities or even death of the infant. Listed below is an abbreviated list of birth injuries which may occur due to doctor negligence:
- Abrupted placenta
- Bone fractures
- Brachial Plexus
- Caput Succedaneum
- Cephalohematoma
- Cerebral Palsy
- Erb's Palsy
- Fetal distress
- Forceps injuries
- Skin irritation and bruising
- Subconjunctive hemorrhage
- Temporary paralysis
- Umbilical cord entrapment
As you can see, there are many different types of birth injuries, but some of the most severe injuries are those which cause the baby to suffer from brain damage. Brain damage has the ability to leave the child with life long medical problems, including seizures and mental retardation. Brain injuries and other serious birth injuries will not only affect the life of the baby, but will change the lives of the parents forever. The heartbreaking emotional effects, as well as the financial expenses involved with most baby birth injuries are enormous.
It is important to discuss your case with an experienced Charleston personal injury attorney at Sanders & Nettles shortly after the birth injury takes place, to ensure that you and your attorney have access to vital medical records and information. Unfortunately, many doctors and hospitals in the U.S. will offer to pay a certain amount of damages to cover even the likely economic loss from an injury. You should never accept an offer from the hospital without first consulting with your birth injury lawyers.