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Having a baby is one of the most joyful experiences a person can have, but that joy can turn to sorrow when medical negligence results in a birth injury. Birth injuries can lead to lifelong complications, placing unthinkable emotional and financial burdens on families.
At Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy, we understand the pain and uncertainty families face after a birth injury. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn how we can fight for your child’s future.
Common Types of Birth Injuries
Birth injuries range from mild to severe, some requiring short-term treatment and others requiring lifelong medical and personal care. No matter how permanent, birth injuries tend to be devastating to victims and their families.
Here are some of the most common birth injuries our firm sees every day.
- Cerebral Palsy: Affecting movement, muscle tone, and posture, CP is often caused by oxygen deprivation or brain damage during birth.
- Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE): This type of brain damage from lack of oxygen and blood flow to the brain can cause developmental delays and cognitive impairments.
- Brain Damage: In general, brain damage can occur because of prolonged labor, oxygen deprivation, or improper use of medical tools.
- Brachial Plexus Injuries (Erb’s Palsy, Klumpke’s Palsy): Nerve damage affecting the arm and hand is often caused by aggressive pulling during delivery.
- Fractures: Bone fractures (especially of the clavicle) can occur during a difficult birth.
- Nerve Damage: Improper delivery techniques can cause nerve injuries that lead to severe weakness or permanent paralysis.
How Medical Negligence Causes Birth Injuries
Medical providers are expected to uphold the highest standard of care during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. When medical professionals fail to maintain this standard of care, it’s a breach of trust that shakes parents to their core. Sadly, the consequences of this breach can gravely harm the baby and leave the family in emotional and financial upheaval.
Examples of medical negligence leading to birth injury include:
- Delayed C-Section: Failure to perform a timely cesarean section can cause oxygen deprivation.
- Improper Use of Tools (Forceps, Vacuum): Misuse of forceps or vacuum extractors may lead to skull fractures, brain damage, or nerve injuries.
- Fetal Distress Mismanagement: Failure to properly monitor fetal distress can result in preventable birth injuries.
- Medication Errors: Incorrect dosages or unsafe medications during pregnancy or delivery can harm both mother and baby.
- Labor/Delivery Mistakes: Poor decision-making like using excessive force or neglecting complications can cause enduring harm.
- Prenatal Care Negligence: Misdiagnosing or failing to treat conditions during pregnancy can cause serious complications during birth.
Long-Term Effects of Birth Injuries
A birth injury is devastating to a poor, defenseless baby, but it also impacts an entire family’s future. Some of the long-term effects may include:
- Physical disabilities
- Cognitive impairments
- Developmental delays
- Emotional and behavioral challenges
- Caregiver burnout
- Financial burdens—ongoing medical care, in-home care, special education, and adaptive support
Compensation for Birth Injuries
Considering the long-term effects of a birth injury and the overall trauma associated with medical negligence, your family may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical Expenses: Including hospital stays, surgeries, and ongoing treatments
- Therapies and Special Education: Costs of physical therapy, speech therapy, and special education programs
- Assistive Devices: Wheelchairs, braces, communication aids, and technology
- Home/Vehicle Modifications: Adjustments to accommodate mobility challenges
- Lost Future Earnings: Compensation for the impact the injury may have on your child’s ability to work in the future
- Lifelong Care Costs: Covering nursing care, in-home assistance, and specialized support
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the emotional and physical impact on both the child and family members
How a Toledo Birth Injury Lawyer Can Help
Medical malpractice cases are complex, requiring extensive evidence and expert testimony to prove negligence. A skilled birth injury lawyer from Nurenberg Paris can:
- Investigate the Cause of the Birth Injury: Review medical records and consult with specialists to identify where negligence might have occurred
- Gather Evidence and Expert Testimony: Build a strong case showing how medical negligence led to the injury
- Negotiate With Insurance Companies: Fight for a fair settlement for your child’s needs
- File a Birth Injury Lawsuit if Necessary: Fight for justice in court if an adequate settlement isn’t reached through negotiation
- Seek Maximum Compensation for Your Child’s Future: Advocate for every single resource your child will need to live their best life
After a Birth Injury, Contact Nurenberg Paris
No family should have to endure the pain of a preventable birth injury. If you suspect medical negligence played a role in your child’s injury, the lawyers at Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy are here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can help your family.