Having a newborn should be the best memory of one’s life. However, for thousands of devastated couples, this happy occasion is the experience of nightmares. When a child is born with a birth injury, it is due to an injury suffered during labor or delivery or soon after birth. A birth injury can range from minor problems such as lacerations or bruising to severe injuries that could prove fatal. Most are completely preventable. This includes pulling and/or twisting the infant improperly during the delivery period. Also, an injury is improper handling and use of birth-assisting tools. These include forceps or a vacuum extraction tool, administering the wrong amount or the wrong type of medication to the mother during pregnancy and during labor, failure to monitor the infant properly for distress, including failure to regularly monitor fetal heartbeat, and failure to schedule and perform an emergency cesarean surgery (C-section).
It is important to protect yourself and your baby if you suspect a birth injury has occurred.
Warning Signs
If you suspect a birth injury, it is important to know the signs and symptoms. The most common birth-related injuries include Cerebral palsy, shoulder or arm injuries, facial paralysis, brain injuries, forceps injuries, and bone fractures. These symptoms can range from limited facial or limb movement or paralysis, poor coordination, clenched fists, vision problems or delayed motor skill. Also, keep a watch on your child to ensure he or she is making important development milestones. There can also be signs of physical or cognitive distress from never damage during labor.
Take Action
If you notice your child may have a sign or symptom of a birth injury, you must act quickly. Collect all medical records. This includes records of fetal monitoring strips. These strips show anomalies in areas like heart rate and respiration during delivery. Plus, make sure to gather Apgar scores. An Apgar score details the health and appearance of the baby at birth. If your child has a low score, this could signify a problem was present at birth with your baby.
Get Legal Help
Each state has a statute of limitation. Most give two years from the date you knew of an injury to file suit.
Birth injuries are often lifelong complications that require consistent medical treatment and rehabilitation. Depending upon the severity of the injuries, the financial costs associated with birth injuries can range from several thousand to over a million during the lifespan of a child with birth injuries.
For instance, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the lifetime costs associated with a child who has cerebral palsy (CP) is around $1 million. The costs associated with a child who suffers hearing loss after a birth injury typically ranges around $400,00.
It is important to remember that if your child’s birth injuries are a result of medical negligence and carelessness, the medical staff, hospital, and/or physician may be liable for damages. A complex litigation attorney can help. At The Michael Brady Lynch Firm, our lawyers have decades of experience helping injured people get justice and full compensation for injuries caused negligence. The Michel Brady Lynch Firm regularly takes on the largest corporations in the world with a track record of proven success and results. Contact The Michael Brady Lynch Firm today, and our attorneys will review your case for free. For your complimentary consultation, call our office now.