Top 7 Most Common Birth Injuries

For nine months you have waited, watched, and anticipated the birth of your child. Yet in one moment, all of your hopes and dreams could be shattered by an unanticipated birth injury. When medical negligence leads to the injury of your newborn, it is important to seek legal assistance immediately. Birth injuries can be catastrophic and can lead to a lifetime of pain and disability. You and your child have a right to be compensated for those injuries, the loss of life, or the future disabilities you and your child will now endure.

Brachial Plexus Injuries: This involves damage to the nerves that are present in the upper spine, neck, and shoulder area. Up to 10% of these injuries result in permanent disability and complete paralysis.

Bone Fractures: Sometimes, difficult deliveries can lead to bone fractures in the newborn. Most commonly, the clavicle is fractured and may lead to permanent nerve damage. Most fractures are easily treated and heal quickly, however.

Perinatal Asphyxia: There are many reasons why a baby may lose its oxygen supply during delivery. Yet doctors and nurses are trained to notice dips in heartbeat and other signs of infant distress. When they fail to do so, the baby can be deprived of vital oxygen, causing permanent brain damage, seizures, neurological damage, and even death.

Intracranial Hemorrhage: Abnormal birth pressures or medical negligence can lead to intracranial hemorrhages. This occurs when there is bleeding in the skull and can lead to severe brain damage and even death.

Facial Paralysis: When forceps are used, they can sometimes put pressure on the facial nerve, causing either temporary or permanent facial paralysis.

Spinal Cord Injuries: This type of birth injury usually occurs when forceps are used improperly. Traumatic damage to the nerve in the neck can cause paralysis and neurological problems, and in extreme cases, even death.

Cerebral Palsy: This birth injury is devastating, because it is a lifelong injury and there is no cure. Children with cerebral palsy have varying degrees of disability, but all have muscle spasms, weakened muscles, and lack of developed motor skills. Children may learn to walk with assistance or they may be wheelchair bound.

Contact Denver Birth Injury Lawyers 
If your baby has sustained a serious injury due to delivery doctor’s negligence, the experienced Denver birth injury lawyers at Denver Trial Lawyers ® can help. Our Denver birth injury lawyers know that there are many factors to be considered in birth injury cases. In a free consultation, a Denver medical malpractice lawsuit attorney at Denver Trial Lawyers ® can inform you of your rights, educate you about the legal process, and discuss how we may be able to obtain compensation for you.

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