New York Malpractice & Injury Lawyer Blog
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Birth injuries are not as uncommon as people may think. In fact, they are often a part of the normal birthing process. A great number of newborns have minor injuries at birth and many of those injuries resolve without treatment. What is more uncommon, though, is for infants to have severe or traumatic injuries at birth. In these cases, a medical malpractice suit is often filed. Here are four birth injuries that are considered to be severe in nature.
Brain Injury
In most births, the baby enters the canal head first. Swelling of the scalp is not uncommon. What is unusual is when one of the skull bones fracture or there is bleeding on the brain. These injuries are incredibly serious and must be taken so.
Nerve Injury
Nerve injury does not occur frequently. When forceps are used, injury to the nerves in the face or head may occur. When no treatment is given, minor nerve injuries typically resolve by the time the baby is three months old. In extreme cases, paralysis of the head or arms can occur as the result of severe nerve damage.
Perinatal Asphyxia
When an infant has too little oxygen in its blood, infants are often born in shock. They may have difficulty breathing and maintaining a proper body temperature. Many children who experienced perinatal asphyxia go on to lead normal, healthy lives. Others, however, have serious disabilities, including cerebral palsy.
Bone Injury
Broken bones are not common, though they do occur in particularly difficult deliveries. The clavicle is the bone that receives the greatest number of injuries, followed by the upper arm bone and the upper leg bone. A fracture in a newborn is treated by placing the limb in a splint or cast and normally heals without incident.
Injuries at birth can be particularly stressful for new parents. In many cases, these injuries resolve on their own. In the worst cases, the child and his or her family is dealt a lifelong blow.
If you believe that your child was injured at birth due to a doctor’s negligence, call us today. Our personal injury attorneys want to review the facts of your case at no cost to you. We are here to help. Call now.