The birth of a new baby should be a time of excitement for your family. Instead of rejoicing and making plans for the future, however, it can be a time of grief and anger when you learn that your baby suffered injuries during the birth process. In many cases, birth injuries are the result of the negligent actions of a doctor or medical care provider.
If your child is a victim of a birth injury, you may want to know what’s next for your family. It may be possible that you have grounds for a civil claim, but you may not be sure where to start with this. It’s important to seek justice on behalf of your baby and to secure the financial support necessary to care for him or her well into the future, but you do not have to fight alone.
Two common birth injuries
There are many ways that negligent care or poor medical decisions can affect the health and safety of your child. Two of the most common types of birth injuries are cerebral palsy and Erb’s palsy. If your child has either one of those specific conditions, it could be a result of the decisions made by a medical professional during the birth process. Cerebral palsy may be the result of the following:
- Bleeding in the brain caused by head trauma suffered during birth
- A doctor prescribed dangerous medication to the mother during pregnancy
- A doctor did not notice your baby needed oxygen
- Delayed interventions deprived your baby of oxygen
The impact of birth injuries is not always immediately apparent. You may not know right away that your baby suffered any type of long-term harm. Erb’s palsy may be the result of the following:
- A doctor did not perform a C-section when your baby’s size was a factor
- During delivery, your baby suffered harm to the shoulder, called shoulder dystocia
- A doctor put excessive pressure on your baby’s head, shoulders or neck during delivery
It’s not easy to know exactly what happened or what factors played a role in what happened to your baby. It can be helpful for your family seek experienced guidance so that you can know what steps you need to take next.
Your family’s future
When your child suffers a birth injury, it can change the future for your family. It is in your interests to seek the counsel of a legal advocate who can help you understand what options may be available to you. Through a civil claim, you may be able to hold liable parties accountable and seek the compensation your family deserves for your child’s future.