Although there has been an abundance in the advancement of technology and the overall process of a baby’s birth, the procedure is still a delicate one and requires a great deal of attention. When a birth injury happens, the situation can quickly develop and the effects of an injury can follow the infant and the family for the rest of their lives.
Identifying a Birth Injury and How Injuries Happen
An injury to an infant can take place when a baby suffers an injury before the birth, during, or right after the birth process. For the most part, an injury can happen unexpectedly and the entire situation can be devastating.
An Injury Resulting From Midwife or Doctor Negligence
Some injuries can happen as a result of substandard care by the overseeing midwife, doctor, or other medical caregiver. The problem can be a condition that was overlooked during the pregnancy or an issue that transpired in the delivery process. Examples of negligence in the birthing process may include, but are not limited to:
- The failure to follow the appropriate procedures and protocols;
- The failure to adequately monitor and record the infant’s heart rate;
- The failure to identify signs that the infant is in distress;
- A delay in handling the complications presented in the delivery;
- A delay in requesting support from a more experienced medical professional or the failure to request aid at all;
- The failure to distinguish between a regular and irregular situation; or
- A mother who is turned away from care even with stated issues.
Different Types of Injuries
During the birth of a newborn, there are many types of injuries that can happen. Some injuries can be miniscule such as minor cuts and abrasions, while others can result in lifelong medical conditions. According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were approximately 23,000 deaths in the United States in 2016. While not every birth-related injury will result in the untimely death of the infant, the following injuries can nonetheless be devastating:
- Brain Injuries – a brain injury is one of the most devastating injuries an infant can undergo. For the most part, a birth injury can cause permanent changes in a baby, which could result in mental and physical changes.
- Shoulder Dystocia – Shoulder dystocia can happen during the delivery process when the baby is delivered through the vagina. The condition can happen when the infant’s head is born, however one of the shoulders has become wedged by the mother’s pubic bone. Although the medical condition can occur naturally, the failure to manage the condition properly can cause serious injuries to the infant.
- Broken Bones – Infants are always at risk or having bones broken in the delivery process but the failure to take delicate care can prevent this from happening.
Consult the Expertise of a Knowledgeable Medical Malpractice Attorney
An injury to an infant can result in devastating consequences. If the infant and mother receive substandard care, the injuries can leave the family with lifelong challenges including medical and financial. If your baby has sustained an injury because of negligent medical care, seek the legal expertise of an attorney who has experience in handling birth-related medical conditions.
The attorneys at SANFORD A. KASSEL, A Professional Law Corporation, have extensive experience in handling birth injury cases in the State of California. They are dedicated to helping families recover financial compensation in the aftermath of a negligent injury. Medical malpractice cases in California are time sensitive; obtain the support of an attorney as soon as possible.
