Birth injury claims arise when obstetricians and other medical professionals fail to provide a reasonable medical standard of care. Some injuries are unavoidable under the best circumstances. Others, however, are completely preventable and may change the course of a family’s time together. At Estey & Bomberger, LLP, we hold medical professionals legally accountable for the mistakes they make during pregnancy, labor, and aftercare.
What Are The Different Types of Birth Injuries?
If a physician fails to recognize a dangerous condition, to react properly to circumstances, or to use appropriate care during the delivery process, he or she may contribute to a serious or life threatening birth injury. Some of the most common types of birth injuries associated with acts of medical malpractice include:
- Brachial plexus damage. The brachial plexus is a nerve network in the shoulder that controls motor function and sensation in arms and extremities. Birth injuries to the brachial plexus typically arise from pressure or stretching during delivery. Minor brachial plexus injuries heal on their own while more serious injuries can cause permanent arm function problems.
- Cerebral Palsy. Some brain injuries during birth can cause this debilitating condition. Infection, loss of oxygen in the womb, and inadequate medical support can all contribute to cerebral palsy. The condition can cause a wide range of impaired movement symptoms, depending on the part of the brain injured.
- Fractures. Broken bones in the skull and throughout the body will heal over time, but the break often leads to secondary injuries. The accumulation of blood in the brain and organ damage may all arise from a fracture injury. Fractures can occur during delivery if a physician fails to properly use delivery assistance instruments.
- Perinatal Asphyxia. Loss of oxygen in the womb may contribute to a number of conditions including development abnormalities and infections. Every organ can suffer damage if the fetus or infant does not quickly receive adequate oxygen.
Birth injuries may include other, less obvious injuries, too. Watch a child carefully in the formative months of life. If you notice any abnormalities, suspect mishandling during pregnancy or delivery, or receive an unexplained diagnosis, investigate the possibility of physician negligence.
California’s malpractice statute of limitations differ for child injury claims. To protect your family’s right to compensation, you must file a claim for injuries for a child under six within three years of the date of injury or before the child’s 8th birthday. If you suspect malpractice, talk with a qualified legal professional as soon as possible.
How a Riverside Birth Injury Attorney Can Help
In birth injury claims, many parents want justice, closure, and a way forward. The heartbreaking circumstances that lead to a birth injury may rob a child and his or her family of a full and normal life. At Estey & Bomberger, LLP, we act as compassionate legal advocates for our clients. We will conduct an independent investigation, work with medical experts, and build a case focused on your child’s best interests. If proved, the courts may require the defendant to pay for past, present, and future medical care as well as for economic and noneconomic losses associated with an injury.
Your Riverside injury attorney will answer birth injury questions, help you understand the legal process, and represent you in front of insurers and others during the legal process. While you focus on giving your child the best care and support possible, we will pursue every lead for liability. In addition to an obstetrician, the hospital, anesthesiologist, nurses, and midwives may all bear some responsibility for what happened. To prove birth-related malpractice, partner with a compassionate and driven team of attorneys you can trust. Reach out to our team at Estey & Bomberger, LLP in Riverside for a private case evaluation. Call today! 951-543-9020
