What is a Birth Injury?
Birth injuries refer to any harm that is sustained by an infant during the labor and delivery process. In some cases, a child’s birth injury is the result of medical malpractice or negligence. If a child sustains an injury because of a medical provider’s negligence, they might be entitled to compensation. It is important to retain an attorney well-versed in birth injury claims to determine whether you have a valid claim for damages.
The chance of a birth injury is usually the last thing on a parent’s mind as they enter the hospital. Most soon-to-be parents are overwhelmed with the immense joy that the expected birth of their child brings. In far too many cases, however, this joy can turn into unimaginable pain. Birth injury claims are prevalent throughout the country, including in New York.
Common Causes of Birth Injury
Common Causes of Birth InjuryBirth injuries can be caused by any number of contributing factors. Regardless of the suspected cause of your child’s injury, you should always have their case reviewed by an experienced attorney. A White Plains birth injury lawyer can help determine who should be held liable for the harm your baby suffered and the damages you should seek to recover.
Common causes of birth injuries resulting in liability:
- Failure to order a cesarean section (delayed c-section)
- Failure to monitor for fetal distress
- Improper use of forceps or vacuum
- Failure to diagnose and treat maternal infections
- Misdiagnosis leading to premature delivery
- Inadequate prenatal monitoring and testing
- Delayed birth (prolonged labor)
It is estimated that thousands of children suffer unnecessary trauma at birth each year. Despite advances in medical technology, countless babies are still seriously injured during labor and delivery.
If your child suffered preventable harm during birth, you might be entitled to compensation to help pay for medical bills and future treatments. Contact our White Plains birth injury lawyers today to discuss your rights.
Types of Birth Injuries
Labor and delivery is an area of medicine that requires specialized knowledge. Because things can quickly change, obstetricians and other staff must be adequately trained. Insufficient training and staffing can lead to devastating injuries and lifelong health problems.
Leading types of birth injuries:
- Cerebral palsy
- Brachial plexus injuries
- Erb’s palsy
- Klumpke’s palsy
- Caput succedaneum
- Cephalohematoma
- Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)
- Intracranial hemorrhage
- Perinatal asphyxia
- Facial and skull fractures
- Shoulder dystocia
Any type of birth injury should be reviewed by an attorney as early as possible to determine whether you should seek compensation. Birth injuries can result in both short and long-term health problems. Depending on the situation, a birth injury may cause paralysis, developmental delays, brain damage, disfigurement, or may prove fatal.
What to Do If You Suspect Your Child Was Injured at Birth
If you suspect that your child was injured at birth, you need to consult with a birth injury lawyer immediately. You might be entitled to financial recovery for your economic and non-economic losses. Damages in a birth injury claim may provide compensation for your child’s medical bills, future care and treatment, pain and suffering, disfigurement, and more.
Be sure to keep all medical records and provide your attorney with a detailed account of what happened before, during, and after the delivery. The sooner you contact an attorney, the better chance you have at recovering a favorable settlement or verdict for your child. You only have a limited amount of time to file a claim based on birth injury in Westchester County, NY, so it is in your best interest to act quickly.
Get a Free Consultation
If you believe that your child suffered harm during the labor and delivery process, contact our office for a free consultation. All birth injury case reviews are confidential and without obligation to retain our services.
At Denlea & Carton, we have recovered millions in settlements and verdicts on behalf of injury victims throughout New York. Do not sign anything without calling our office and never settle for less. Get the compensation you need and deserve, call our White Plains birth injury lawyers today at (914) 368-7168. There are no fees unless we win. Get more with Denlea & Carton.
