Causes of Birth Injuries

Birth injuries can occur during the process of childbirth and can range markedly in severity. These injuries impact a newborn's life. They harm their health and development from the very start. Recognizing the causes and types of birth injuries is critical for parents and doctors alike. This awareness helps manage expectations and seek medical and legal help when necessary. At Zaveri Law Firm, we are here to help.

What constitutes a birth injury? What is the medical context in which they occur? These impact potential legal action. Parents need to know how these injuries can affect their child's future and what steps they can take to address them. We will explore the various aspects of serious birth injuries. This includes their causes, common types, and the legal considerations involved. Our goal is to provide clear and helpful information to families. Then, contact us to schedule a case consultation.

What Are Birth Injuries?

A birth injury covers any injury to a baby that occurs during the birth process. These injuries can result from physical pressure or trauma during labor and delivery. While some injuries resolve on their own, others can mean long-lasting complications for a child's health. Understanding these injuries is essential for parents and healthcare providers. That way, we can ensure proper care and management.

Birth injuries can include minor bruising and more severe neurological and physical damage. Bruising could come from damage to blood vessels. They might occur due to the baby's position during birth, the length of labor, or complications during delivery. Common injuries include brachial plexus injury, cerebral palsy, and facial nerve injury. Each of these conditions requires specific medical attention. Many require long-term treatment plans.

Differentiating a Traumatic Birth Injury From a Congenital Birth Defect

Birth injuries are distinct from congenital birth defects. Injuries are not related to the baby's genetic makeup but occur due to events during the birth process. Understanding this difference is important for diagnosing and treating these conditions accurately. Congenital defects are present at birth and result from genetic, environmental, or unknown factors. They alter development in the womb.

A congenital defect is often detected through prenatal testing and has a genetic or developmental cause. A birth injury is often identified after the birth process. For instance, a brachial plexus birth injury might occur when there is too much pulling on the baby's shoulder during delivery. Recognizing the nature of the physical injury or defect can substantially influence the management and treatment options available to a child.

Common Examples of Birth Injuries

• Brachial plexus injuries. Brachial plexus injuries happen when the shoulder, arm, or hand nerves are damaged. It can occur during a difficult delivery, such as with a breech presentation or from excessive force when delivering the baby from the birth canal. 
• Cerebral palsy. These disorders affect muscle movement and coordination. Cerebral palsy can result from brain damage caused by oxygen deprivation during labor or from trauma during a long, difficult birth process.
• Facial nerve injury. If the baby's face is put under pressure during birth, particularly when forceps are used, it can lead to facial nerve damage. This might cause temporary or permanent weakness in facial muscles.
• Spinal cord injuries. These are less common but can be extremely serious. They might occur if there is trauma to the baby's spine during delivery. A spinal cord injury often requires extensive medical treatment and physical therapy. Babies born with a catastrophic injury need extensive care.
• Intracranial hemorrhage. This refers to bleeding under the skull but outside the brain. It can happen if the baby's head is subjected to substantial pressure during delivery, especially in cases of vacuum extraction. Brain-related birth injuries are always serious.

Medical Causes of Birth Injuries

Birth injuries can result from various medical conditions and complications during labor and delivery. Knowing these causes is critical for prevention and management. Medical professionals must monitor labor closely to manage and mitigate these risks effectively.

Complications During Labor and Delivery

Complications during labor and delivery can trigger serious birth injuries. These complications might include prolonged labor, abnormal birthing positions, or rapid labor, all of which can stress the baby's body and lead to injuries. Doctors are trained to handle these situations, but unexpected complications can sometimes lead to adverse outcomes.

For instance, if a baby is trapped in the birth canal for too long, it can lead to oxygen deprivation, which in turn can cause neurological damage. Healthcare providers must use their training and judgment to decide the best course of action, such as when to perform a cesarean section to prevent further complications.

Obstetrical Trauma

Obstetrical trauma refers to physical injuries that occur to the baby during labor and delivery. This can happen due to mechanical forces like forceps or vacuum, or it can be due to natural forces such as the pressure exerted by the mother's pelvis. In some cases, if the baby is too large to pass through the birth canal safely, this can result in shoulder dystocia, where the baby's shoulders become lodged inside the mother, causing potential damage to both the mother and baby.

Healthcare providers must be extremely cautious when using instruments during delivery and should always prioritize the baby's and mother's safety. Training and experience play important roles in preventing obstetrical trauma, and adherence to best practices is necessary to minimize risks.

Contributing Factors to Birth Injuries

• Prolonged labor. Long labor can be exhausting for both the mother and baby, leading to complications like fetal distress and birth injuries. Monitoring and timely intervention are important in these situations.
• Premature birth. Premature babies are more vulnerable to injuries because their bodies are not fully developed. Special care and handling are required to prevent injuries during and after birth.
• Use of delivery instruments. Forceps and vacuum extractors can save lives, but their use increases the risk of physical injuries to the baby's head or body. Proper technique and caution must be exercised when using these tools.
• Size of the baby. Large babies might have difficulty passing through the birth canal, increasing the risk of birth trauma. Doctors might need to consider a cesarean section in cases where a baby's size could lead to complications.
• Mother's health. The mother's health, including conditions like diabetes or obesity, can affect the birth process. Health issues can complicate labor and delivery, potentially leading to birth injuries. These risk factors could boost the chances of neonatal birth trauma.

Identifying Preventable Birth Injuries

Many birth injuries are preventable with the right care and attention during labor and delivery. Medical professionals must monitor the baby's and mother's health continuously. Preventing injuries often involves recognizing early signs of distress and intervening appropriately.

For example, continuous monitoring can alert healthcare providers to a lack of oxygen in the baby, allowing for quick actions to alleviate the issue. Additionally, preparing for potential complications based on the mother's health conditions or the baby's position can help prevent injuries.

Legal Considerations in Birth Injury Cases

Navigating the legal system of birth injuries can be daunting for families. Parents need to understand their rights and the potential for legal recourse if they believe their child's birth injury was due to medical negligence.

Identifying Medical Negligence

Medical negligence in birth injury cases involves proving that the healthcare provider failed to provide the standard of care expected, leading to injury. This can include failures in monitoring and delayed decisions during emergencies. It also covers the improper use of delivery instruments. Legal experts can help families determine if negligence occurred. We can review medical records and the circumstances of the birth.

Families affected by suspected negligence should seek legal advice to understand their options. A lawyer specializing in birth injuries can provide essential guidance and representation. We help families navigate the complex legal process.

Building a Case for Malpractice

Building a strong malpractice case requires detailed documentation of medical care. Families need to gather comprehensive medical records. We can also help collect witness statements and expert assessments to support their claims. An experienced lawyer can make a huge difference. We compile and present this evidence effectively.

If medical malpractice is established, families may be able to receive compensation for medical costs, ongoing care needs, and pain and suffering. This compensation can be crucial for providing the best possible care and support for the child affected by a birth injury.

Let Zaveri Law Firm Fight for Compensation on Your Behalf

When facing a birth injury, partnering with experienced legal professionals matters. We know how to handle complex birth injury cases. We know the burden these injuries can place on families, and we are here to help.

Our law office is committed to protecting the rights and well-being of our clients. We ensure our clients receive the compensation they deserve to support their child's needs. With the Zaveri Law Firm, you can trust that your case is in capable hands.

Contact Our Baltimore Birth Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation

If you think your child sustained a birth injury due to medical negligence, it's important to act quickly. Contacting a skilled birth injury lawyer can give you the information and support you need to pursue justice. Our Baltimore office offers free consultations to help you understand your rights and options. At the Zaveri Law Firm, we would be honored to help you. Contact us today to schedule a free case consultation.