Having a child is one of the most exciting times in a parent’s life. When the child suffers birth injuries, however, it can lead to lifelong complications. New parents should understand what birth injuries are, and contact the Law Offices of Tim Misny if they suspect their child might have suffered one.
What causes birth injuries?
Generally, a baby’s size and position can make for a difficult birth, or birth injuries. Large babies and prolonged labor are linked to birth injuries, but other conditions can cause birth injuries, too. For example, the mother’s pelvis size and shape may not be conducive to giving birth vaginally. Premature babies are more fragile, leaving them more likely to suffer birth injuries. Babies presenting breech (buttocks first) can cause injury, as well as maternal obesity.
Common birth injuries
Birth injuries can range from mild to severe. Mild injuries include bruising or forceps and vacuum marks, which can occur naturally (when the baby passes through the birth canal and pelvic bones) or as a result of extraction. These typically go away within a few days or weeks and have no lasting effects. Scalp swelling is also a common minor injury that passes within a few days.
Serious birth injuries take longer to recover from, or might end up causing permanent damage. This includes brachial palsy, which occurs when nerves in the arms and hands are damaged. This often occurs when the doctors have trouble delivering the baby’s shoulders. Sometimes, permanent nerve damage occurs. Cerebral palsy and Erb’s palsy are two other types of nerve damage birth injuries, which may be permanent.
Cephalohematoma is a bleeding area between the skull bone and its covering. It typically heals within two weeks to three months, but some babies may develop jaundice and need additional care as a result.
Some birth injuries can cause facial paralysis, whether from naturally passing through the birth canal or from instruments. It may require several weeks of healing, or surgery, if the nerve was torn. Fractures are also common, especially collarbone fractures.
Depending on the type and severity of birth injury your child suffered—and whether medical negligence was to blame—you may be eligible for compensation. Call the Law Offices of Tim Misny to discuss your options. We’ll review your claim and let you know whether we can help you pursue a case for your child.
Talk to an Ohio birth injury attorney today
The Law Offices of Tim Misny can help you with your birth injury claim. If your child was injured due to a medical provider’s negligence or recklessness, I’ll Make Them Pay!® Call my office at (800) 556-4769 so that I can evaluate your case right away.
