Birth Injury
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Frequently Asked Questions about Birth Injuries
Q: What's the difference between a birth defect and a birth injury?
A: Birth injuries are generally caused by something that went wrong during delivery itself, while birth defects usually involve harm to a baby that arose prior to birth due to something that happened during or before the pregnancy.
Q: What kinds of situations give rise to a lawsuit for birth injuries?
A: Most of these cases occur when a doctor fails to adequately assess or respond to conditions and/or complications during a woman's pregnancy or delivery, or when a woman takes a prescription drug during pregnancy that causes harm to the baby.
An obstetrician's improper use of medical devices (such as forceps or a vacuum) during child delivery can result in an injury to the baby that is legally avoidable under personal injury and medical malpractice laws.
Boston Birth Injury Attorney Dr. Barry D. Lang Cerebral Palsy - Birth Trauma - Erb's Palsy - Uterine Rupture
Massachusetts birth trauma and medical negligence lawyer Dr. Barry Lang represents the parents of infants who have suffered birth defects as a result of negligence or malpractice on the part of the obstetrics team. If your child shows signs of cerebral palsy, Erb's palsy, or birth trauma, due to medical negligence, call Boston birth injury attorney Dr. Barry Lang at Law Doctors for a free and confidential discussion of your situation.
Cerebral palsy can be caused at birth by a physician or obstetric nurse's failure to monitor heart function and oxygen flow to the brain. Any extended period of insufficient oxygen can result in severe and irreversible brain damage at birth.
Erb's palsy can occur when a fetus too large for the mother's vaginal canal has to be manipulated around the pubic bone, often resulting in serious nerve damage to the neck or shoulder. Medical malpractice can be alleged and proved if the manipulation was negligently performed, or if the physician failed to disclose a known risk of Erb's palsy and recommend a caesarian delivery.
Uterine rupture is a particular risk when the mother has had a previous child by C-section, and a subsequent child is delivered vaginally. If the scar tissue from the C-section procedure ruptures, the fetus's head can end up in the mother's abdominal cavity, where it has no access to vital oxygen.
Birth Trauma, such as cephalohematoma (bleeding in the brain), can result from improper use of the forceps or vacuum extractor.
If you live anywhere in Massachusetts and suspect that your child's birth defects might have been caused by medical negligence or other deviation from an applicable standard of care, contact Boston birth trauma malpractice attorney Dr. Barry Lang. There's never a charge for an initial consultation.
Birth Injuries - An Overview
When having a child, the last thing parents want or need to worry about is the possibility of their baby being harmed during the delivery. While most births go smoothly, some have complications. It is estimated that five out of every 1000 children born in the US will suffer some type of birth injury. Birth injuries can range from minor, like bruising, to a life-altering diagnosis of cerebral palsy. If your child was injured at birth, contact an attorney to learn more about your legal options. A lawyer experienced in birth injury litigation can help you understand your rights.
Pregnancy Dos and Don'ts
Not all birth injuries or defects can be prevented, but a mother has some power to increase her chance of having a healthy baby. Many birth defects happen very early in pregnancy, sometimes before a woman even knows she is pregnant. If your child was injured at birth, consult an attorney to learn about your rights to compensation.
Responsible Parties in Birth Injury Cases
If your child suffered a birth injury, there are several parties who may be responsible for your child's injuries, including the treating physician, assisting staff and the hospital.
Prescription Medications
If you or a loved one is pregnant and taking prescription medication, one of the best ways to prevent a birth defect or injury to your baby is to understand the prescription process and prescriptions themselves. Prescription medications can be confusing, dangerous and expensive. If your child was injured at birth, consult an attorney to learn about your rights to compensation.
Cerebral Palsy & Erb's Palsy
Some of the most common birth injuries are two very different conditions known as cerebral palsy and Erb's (or brachial) palsy. Cerebral and Erb's palsy are often the result of complications during child delivery itself, though cerebral palsy also can occur before or after delivery.
Birth Injuries Resource Links
KidsHealth.org
Provides doctor-approved health information about children from before birth through adolescence.
The Food and Drug Law Institute
Examines the laws, regulations and policies related to drugs, medical devices, other health care technologies and foods.
United Cerebral Palsy
Provides information, links and resources on cerebral palsy.
Prenatal Care
Resource provided by the US Department of Health and Human Services offering information on prenatal care, including types of foods to eat and substances to avoid.
National Patient Safety Foundation
Non-profit organization providing patient safety literature, research, policy initiatives and more.
