For many couples, the day their child is born quickly becomes the happiest day of their lives. However, that day can also go terribly wrong if the physicians and other medical staffers fail to adhere to the accepted standards of medical care when assisting with the labor and delivery. Statistics have shown that thousands of birth injuries occur each year, many of which could have been prevented if medical professionals in New York had done their jobs properly.
Common types of birth injuries
A birth injury refers to any type of harm suffered by the baby at any point before, during, or immediately after their birth. Many birth injuries stem from brain damage, nerve damage, infections, and several other issues. These injuries can range from minor cuts and bruises that heal on their own to serious injuries that affect the child for the rest of their lives. Some of the most common birth injuries include:
- Brain damage: Neurological and physical problems often caused by head trauma.
- Cerebral palsy: Developmental delays and issues with muscle control, often due to lack of oxygen.
- Erb’s palsy: Damage to brachial plexus nerves, resulting in hand, arm, or shoulder paralysis, can occur when a baby’s shoulders get stuck during the delivery.
- Fracture: Broken clavicle or collarbone can occur during more difficult deliveries.
- Facial paralysis: Often caused by pressure on the baby’s face through use of forceps.
- Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE): Mental and physical impairments caused by lack of oxygen and/or blood flow.
Medical professionals who negligently cause harm to a newborn should be held accountable for their actions. However, it is important to remember that while the above birth injuries can be caused by medical negligence, that is not always the case. Your attorney can review the specifics of your case and advise you on whether to move forward with a medical malpractice claim.