Far too often, there are a number of potential issues that may arise during the pregnancy or labor that can cause significant harm to the child or mother. This is an unfortunate situation, but it is more common than individuals may think.
Knowing what causes these injuries, however, can help expecting mothers be prepared when going through the pregnancy. The causes may vary and they can cause different types of injuries; some more severe than others.
Before you consider your options for a birth injury, it’s good to understand some of the problems that can lead to the injury. Below, you will find out some of the potential causes of birth injuries, the types of damage they may cause, and who may be responsible for the pain and suffering.
Delayed Birth
Imagine this: you’ve already spent nine months being pregnant, you go into labor, and all of a sudden, you find yourself going through more than 18 hours until you deliver. Unfortunately, this is considered to be a delayed birth as the amount of pressure builds up.
Typically, labors that go longer than 18 hours are considered long. They’re more difficult as the brain can only handle a higher level of pressure for a certain amount of time. Over the 18 hour mark, the compression can become too much.
As the pressure builds, the baby may exhibit signs of fetal distress and the brain can react in emergency mode. As a result, there can be an increase in the fetal blood pressure which can cause problems such as brain hemorrhaging.
The medical professional responsible for your delivery should take measures to ensure your labor goes as smooth as possible and that you and the baby are safe throughout the entire process. Identifying ways to help the labor process along can help prevent this type of injury.
Oxygen Deprivation
One of the most damaging experiences a baby can go through is oxygen deprivation. There are a number of potential causes for oxygen deprivation, but most of the time, they are preventable with proper monitoring and strict care.
One way that oxygen deprivation can happen externally is from a prolapsed umbilical cord or umbilical cord strangulation in which it gets stuck around the neck of the baby. This can cause oxygen to stop flowing to the brain.
Similarly, if the baby has underdeveloped lungs or any other health problems, they can experience oxygen deprivation. These are important to monitor as best as possible during the pregnancy to identify any problems and ways to treat it.
Oxygen deprivation is one of the most severe types of birth injuries and there are often long-term—or even lifelong—effects as a result.
Medical Negligence
It’s unfortunate to think about, but sometimes the people we’re expected to entrust with our care are the direct cause for the injury sustained by a baby. Medical negligence is often the most unfortunate thing to encounter because it comes at the hands of professionals who should know better.
Common forms of medical negligence that can lead to birth injuries can include, but are not limited to:
- Forceps injuries
- Vacuum extraction problems
- Blunt force trauma
- Delayed birth
- Oxygen deprivation
Whether the injury is caused by a doctor, nurse, medical staff, emergency medical team, or midwife, these are individuals who should understand the care that needs to be taken during a pregnancy and in labor.
When they act in a negligent manner that causes an issue for the baby or mother, they should be held accountable for their actions. Failure to recognize problems and provide a solution can lead to the baby sustaining long-term damage.
Similarly, a medical facility can be held responsible if they hire inexperienced and untrained doctors or nursing staff—or if they fail to properly train their staff for various situations.
Identifying If You Have a Birth Injury Case
We know that this is a very difficult experience to encounter and the health and well-being of your baby is at the top of your priority list. However, while you may not think about it, legal action should be strongly considered to hold the negligent party accountable.
You may not know whether or not you have a case against the doctor or other medical professional responsible for your baby’s injuries, but there are ways to know what to expect and what to look for after your baby is born.
Obviously, if you recognize any of the above during pregnancy or labor—such as your doctor failing to properly monitor the pregnancy or prolonging delivery—this may warrant a case. However, speaking with an attorney who understands the legitimacy of a case and has exorbitant resources is the most effective way of knowing whether or not you have a case.
Why Should I Hire a Birth Injury Attorney?
The potential causes of a birth injury can be complex to identify on your own. You may think that a situation is perfectly fine, only to go through labor and recognize that your baby was born with some kind of problem or injury.
You may think that there are no options for you and that you just have to deal the impact alone. This is a common reason why some parents don’t take legal action when they have every right to do so. Speaking with a lawyer can better help you understand your options.
A lawyer has the resources—including medical experts—who can identify any steps of the pregnancy or delivery in which negligence exists and whether or not it was the direct cause of a birth injury. This is crucial in your ability to seek compensation and justice.
How Our Firm Can Help
At Beam Legal Team, we have spent years representing individuals going through the legal process following a birth injury. We know what can cause these serious injuries and we go the extra mile to give parents the peace of mind they deserve.
We recognize this is a troubling time for you—dealing with the physical pain of your child, the emotional and developmental distress, and of course, the financial hardships that come along with a birth injury. Hiring a lawyer may seem like it’s something out of reach.
However, our Chicago birth injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. What does this mean for you? Well, we know you have to worry about medical expenses and other costs associated with the injury, so when you hire us, you pay nothing unless and until we’re successful in recovering compensation on your behalf.
You and your child are our top priorities. We care about your best interests and we understand the aftermath of suffering a birth injury at the hands of someone you were supposed to trust. As such, we stand ready to guide you step by step through the process and hold negligent medical professionals accountable.
If your child has suffered a birth injury as a result of medical negligence, you may have rights to seek financial compensation. Even better, you can seek justice knowing that the medical professional was held accountable for their actions.
This is why we’re here: to protect you, your baby, and your best interests. Beam Legal Team can be your trusted partner and guide through this daunting experience and we work hard to help you come out of this in the most favorable manner possible.
Need to speak with our team in a free case evaluation? Take the time to contact our firm at (866) 404-5221 and we can help explain your rights and options.