Birth-Related Injuries Due to Medical Malpractice
The arrival of a baby is an anticipated moment of happiness for many families. When the baby’s due date arrives, families will entrust the health and well-being of both the mother and baby to their medical team. Sadly, medical mistakes can happen to anyone and they may lead to injuries that are sometimes not visible until several months or years have already passed. Preventable medical mistakes can happen as a consequence of doctor, nurse, or medical facility negligence. When this happens, the error can cause upheaval in the family’s life, lead to a lifetime of necessary medical care, and costly expenses. If your medical team made a preventable error during your baby’s birth, you will need to discuss your case with a birth injury attorney who can help you understand what your legal options are. Milligan, Beswick, Levine & Knox, LLP is an experienced law firm that can help you navigate this tragic moment in life.
The team of experienced attorneys at Milligan, Beswick, Levine & Knox, LLP are highly skilled in birth injury cases. The compassionate team of attorneys understands the devastation families face in the event of a birthing injury. For this reason, Milligan, Beswick, Levine & Knox, LLP is prepared to do everything possible to ensure their clients and their families achieve a sense of justice in their case. The law firm is proud to offer a complimentary consultation to their clients. Consider arranging a free case evaluation with the professional team by completing the online contact form found here.
Causes of Birth Injury
Birth injuries can be caused by a variety of different factors and although not every medical mistake will be caused by medical negligence, there are many situations where this is the case. A few of the most common causes of birth injuries can be caused by the following examples of medical malpractice:
- Oxygen deprivation,
- Delayed birth,
- Improper use of delivery equipment,
- Not following safety procedures in the delivery,
- Failure to recognize a significant issue or infection,
- Administering an incorrect medication or the wrong dosage,
- Failure to supervise the infant’s vitals during the pregnancy, and
- Failure to recognize the need for a C-section.
Common Types of Birth Injury
It is important to note that birth injuries can happen in every stage of a mother’s pregnancy and throughout the birthing process. Whenever a medical professional acts recklessly or causes intentional injuries to the mother or infant, they could be held responsible for their careless actions. The following are just a few examples of common types of birth injuries.
- Brain Damage
Even in the earliest stages of life, the human brain is an incredibly complex organ. There are a plethora of causes of brain injury that can happen at birth and many types of injury that can be inflicted. For the most part, brain trauma can happen to a newborn when his or her skull has been impacted. It can also happen when there is a lack of oxygen in the baby’s brain.
- Breech Complications
A breech birth complication can be extremely dangerous to not only the newborn but the mother as well. This happens when the infant enters the birth canal at an incorrect position. Complications that can result from this include:
- Cerebral palsy,
- Nerve damage,
- Shoulder dystocia,
- Seizures, and
- Fetal distress
- Vacuum Extraction Injuries
Sadly, there are many injuries that can happen when a vacuum extractor is used at birth. Although these tools can be safe to use, they can sometimes lead to wounds on the baby’s scalp or bleeding. They can also lead to unnecessary stretching of an infant’s nerves that run along his or her neck, which may lead to cerebral palsy, brain hemorrhages, and Erb’s palsy.
Get the Right Legal Support Today
The birth of a newborn baby should be a joyous one. Unfortunately, this is not the case for many families who are left to endure the tragic consequences of a negligent medical error. When you or your baby has suffered as a result of a medical professional’s reckless or negligent actions, obtain the support of a reputable law firm today.
Milligan, Beswick, Levine & Knox, LLP understands the challenges families face following an injury caused during pregnancy or the birthing process. With their client’s best interests in mind, the proficient attorneys at Milligan, Beswick, Levine & Knox, LLP are prepared to do all that is possible to help their clients win the monetary compensation they deserve. To learn more about how the attorneys at Milligan, Beswick, Levine & Knox, LLP can advocate on your behalf after a birth injury, consider arranging a free consultation with the law firm by completing the form found here.
Stephen Levine, is a Board Certified Specialist in Criminal Defense — an honor achieved by only the top criminal law attorneys in California. Mr. Levine has over 40 years of experience in criminal defense and family law serving Southern California, and is a highly regarded Super Lawyer as well as AV Rated attorney.