What is a Birth Injury?
A birth injury is physical damage sustained by an infant during labor. Birth injuries typically occur during complicated deliveries and may be the result of complications during pregnancy.
What are Some of the Immediate Signs and Symptoms of a Birth Injury?
A child suffering from a severe injury during childbirth may exhibit the following signs and symptoms:
- Cuts and bruising to the head, face and shoulder areas
- Seizures
- Breathing problems or heartbeat irregularities
- Weak muscle tone resulting in a “floppy” appearance; stiff muscle tone resulting in a rigid appearance
- A limp arm
- Yellow coloring of the skin
- High-pitched crying
- Facial paralysis
- Fractures
- Feeding difficulties and problems sleeping
These are just a few of the common signs that your child suffered from a birth injury during the labor process.
What are Signs of Birth Injuries that Develop Later in Children?
Not all signs and symptoms of birth injuries are immediate. Some symptoms develop slowly over months or years. Therefore, it is necessary to consult a physician if your child exhibits the following signs or problems:
- Involuntary muscle movements
- Failure to reach developmental milestones related to sitting up, crawling and walking
- Failure to reach developmental milestones related to language and speech
- Hearing or vision problems; not responding to loud sounds or bright lights
- Seizures
- Difficulty grasping objects and poor reflexes
These are some of the basic signs your child may exhibit if he or she suffered from a birth injury.
Are Some Children More at Risk of Having Birth Injuries?
Yes. Premature babies are at risk of birth injuries because they are typically small and fragile. Larger-than-normal babies may experience problems coming out of the birth canal and may suffer from conditions such as asphyxia. Babies who undergo prolonged labors are also at risk of having a birth injury. Mothers who suffer from medical conditions, such as diabetes, are also at risk other having infants with birth injuries. Therefore, if your child fits into any of these categories, it is important for you to look for the signs and symptoms of a birth injuries.
How Law Offices of Thomas L. Gallivan, PLLC can Help
Birth injuries can result in life-long problems, including learning difficulties, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, hearing loss, vision loss and brain damage. As a result, your child may require costly medical treatment for a lifetime. In some cases, birth injuries are the result of medical malpractice. Doctors can fail to diagnose certain conditions or may fail to provide adequate treatment in a timely fashion. If you believe your child was the victim of medical malpractice, call our office today. Our team of legal professionals will thoroughly investigate your claim, including your child’s medical records, to determine is your child’s injuries were caused by negligence or malpractice. We will then recover compensation from those responsible. Contact the Birth Injury Attorneys at the Law Offices of Thomas L. Gallivan, PLLC to discuss your potential case.