What is Birth Injury Malpractice, and What Kinds of Injuries Are Common in These Cases?
Birth injury malpractice occurs when a medical professional, like a doctor or nurse, makes a significant error (that they could have avoided with reasonable care) during labor or delivery that injures the baby, mother, or both. It is essentially a form of medical malpractice. Birth injuries, on the other hand, are physical and emotional injuries that a newborn, mother, or both suffered during labor or delivery due to medical malpractice.
These injuries can have life-changing consequences on babies, mothers, and their families. If you or your child is a victim of medical malpractice, talking to an experienced Greenville birth injury lawyer can walk you through your legal options and demand justice from the negligent party that hurt you.
What Are Common Injuries That Give Rise to Birth Injury Malpractice Claims in Greenville?
Keep in mind that medical professionals included during labor and delivery are legally responsible for providing a high standard of care to the mother and child. When they fail to meet this standard, it can result in preventable birth injuries that can have far-reaching effects on the child’s life. These birth injuries include:
- Broken Bones: Excessive force or improper handling during particularly difficult deliveries can lead to fractures, usually of the collarbone.
- Cerebral Palsy: This is a neurological disorder that impacts coordination and movement. It usually develops due to oxygen deprivation during the birthing process as a result of inadequate fetal distress monitoring or delayed C-sections.
- Brachial Plexus Injuries: These injuries come in different forms and are mainly characterized by damaged nerve networks that connect the spinal cord to the hand, shoulder, and arm. They usually result from excessive pulling or improper use of forceps.
- Facial Paralysis: This can happen due to failure to use the delivery instruments properly. Depending on the circumstances, facial paralysis can be temporary or permanent.
- Intracranial Hemorrhage: Trauma during birth, usually from improper use of vacuum extractors or forceps or failure to manage prolonged or difficult labor, can result in intracranial hemorrhage. This injury involves bleeding within the newborn’s skull, which can lead to brain damage.
- Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE): HIE is a brain injury resulting from oxygen deprivation during delivery. It occurs from failure to implement appropriate interventions promptly, umbilical cord coiling, or extended labor. HIE can be mild to severe and cause chronic seizures, cerebral palsy, neurological disorders, and intellectual disability.
When it comes to mothers, injuries they can sustain due to medical malpractice are uterine rupture, infections, postpartum hemorrhage, incontinence, physical trauma, and even infertility. Additionally, they may suffer from psychological problems because of their physical injuries. Regardless of the nature of your injuries, you may have a valid claim for birth injury malpractice if a medical professional’s negligence harmed you during childbirth.
Let Our Compassionate Greenville Birth Injury Attorneys Fight For Your Child’s Future
At Parham Smith & Archenhold LLC, we know full well how devastating birth injuries from medical malpractice can be. Our Greenville birth injury lawyers are standing by to guide you through this challenging journey and secure the highest compensation possible for you and your family. Contact us online or call 864-432-1796 to schedule your free case evaluation with one of our Greenville birth injury attorneys.