Common Causes of Birth Injuries
For some families, the joy of welcoming a child is replaced by the pain of having to deal with birth injuries. While certain injuries during birth may occur naturally due to the inherent challenges of labor and delivery, medical negligence also plays a significant role. Approximately seven out of one thousand births in the United States result in injury, some linked to medical malpractice. These situations can have lifelong consequences for both the child and the family.
Fortunately, families facing this tragic reality have legal recourse. They can seek guidance from a birth injury lawyer in Mt. Pleasant, SC, to better understand their options for pursuing justice. Our skilled legal team will investigate the circumstances surrounding the injury to build a compelling claim.
What Are the Causes of Birth Injuries?
Birth injuries arise from various forms of medical negligence, with unique implications and requirements for substantiating the claim. In Mt. Pleasant, SC, as well as across the U.S., several types of errors are often associated with birth injuries.
Failure to Monitor Fetal Distress
During labor and delivery, medical professionals are responsible for monitoring both the mother and baby closely. Fetal distress, often indicated by abnormal heart rates or other vital signs, requires immediate intervention. Failure to note and act on these warning signs may lead to oxygen deprivation, which may result in conditions like cerebral palsy.
Improper Use of Delivery Instruments
Various tools are sometimes necessary to assist with difficult deliveries. However, if used improperly, these devices can cause traumatic injuries to a baby’s head, brain, or shoulders. Misuse of delivery instruments is a common cause of conditions like Erb’s palsy or other brachial plexus injuries, which affect a child’s arm and hand mobility.
Delayed or Inadequate Response to Delivery Complications
Certain complications during labor, such as umbilical cord prolapse or placental abruption, require prompt and decisive actions. If the medical personnel delays or inadequately responds to such scenarios, it can lead to severe oxygen deprivation. This has been linked to an increased risk of permanent neurological damage in the newborn.
Medication Errors
Administering the wrong medication to the mother can have serious consequences for the baby. For example, incorrect use of Pitocin to induce labor can result in excessively strong contractions. This medical malpractice may place undue pressure on the baby, leading to physical injuries or oxygen deprivation.
Failure to Recognize High-Risk Pregnancies
Certain pregnancies require a higher level of care due to maternal health conditions, multiple births, or other complicated factors. When healthcare providers fail to identify and appropriately manage high-risk cases, the likelihood of birth injuries increases. In such cases, proactive monitoring and specialized care are essential to prevent potential harm to both mother and baby.
Talk to a Mt. Pleasant Birth Injury Lawyer Today
Birth injury cases often involve intricate medical details that must be examined carefully to prove medical negligence. While these cases may seem like any other medical negligence case, birth inquiries may require experts’ input to ascertain any deviation from the standard of care. Our experienced lawyers can handle this sensitive and demanding investigation to determine the cause of the birth injury.
If you have been affected by a birth injury as a result of medical negligence, call us today to begin an early investigation. We offer free case evaluationsto help you understand your options.