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Birth Injuries
Many birth injuries are the result of a medical mistake occurring during labor and delivery. When the baby is too large or is in an unusual position or when the baby is not receiving a sufficient supply of oxygen, a Caesarian section (C-section) may be the best option. However, many doctors fail to diagnose these problems and fail to make the decision to perform a C-section. Monitors may indicate that the baby is in distress or that the placenta is no longer functioning. Force may be used to deliver the baby, which can result in nerve damage and decreased blood supply to the brain and other organs, resulting in tissue damage. Metabolic disorders can fail to be diagnosed, resulting in irreversible damage to the newborn. Some birth injuries that our firm handles include Cerebral Palsy, Erb's Palsy, learning disabilities, mental retardation, autism, and seizure disorders.
Cerebral Palsy
It is critical that doctors make sound decisions during labor and delivery, and Cerebral Palsy is often the result of negligence on the part of the physician. If the baby is deprived of oxygen during labor and delivery, the result can be a devastating disorder such as Cerebral Palsy. For many with Cerebral Palsy, it is later determined that the proper delivery method should have been Caesarian section due to the size or position of the baby. Cerebral Palsy refers to a group of permanent disorders which affect a person's motor skills, muscle tone and muscle movement. Damage to the brain during gestation and/or delivery causes poor muscle control. The three types of Cerebral Palsy include Spastic, Ataxic and Athetoid. Cerebral Palsy may not be diagnosed until a child is several years old.
Erb's Palsy
Erb's Palsy or brachial plexus injury (BPI) refers to an injury to the network of nerves called the brachial plexus, which runs from the spine to the muscles in the shoulders and arms and sends impulses to control movement of the arms and hands. Erb's Palsy can cause paralysis of the shoulders, arms and hands. Failure to perform a Caesarian section delivery can lead to Erb's Palsy when the baby is too large. Shoulder dystocia occurs when a baby's shoulders become lodged behind the mother's public bone. In these cases, if a vaginal delivery is chosen, excessive force is often used to deliver the baby. Erb's Palsy injuries may include tearing of the nerve, stretching of the nerve, and scar tissue around the nerve.
Getting Legal Help
Many parents of affected children mistakenly believe that their child's condition occurred naturally, but our lawyers often find upon deeper investigation into the birth that the injuries resulted from errors made by the physician, nurse, or hospital. Our lawyers understand the emotional and financial pressures on families with disabled children, and we are dedicated to winning compensation for you and your child. We will investigate your pregnancy, labor, delivery, and newborn care to determine whether medical malpractice contributed to your child's condition. We know that you are faced with providing treatment throughout your child's life, and you should be fairly compensated not only for this treatment and associated medical expenses, but for your family's pain and suffering. Contact our birth injury lawyers today for a free consultation about your case.