The delivery of a newborn child is one of the greatest joys a parent can experience. Most parents prepare in advance for the arrival of their newborn. They may baby-proof the home, stock up on diapers and formula, and paint the walls of the nursery in excitement and anticipation. However as much as a parent prepares for their newborn there are some circumstances that a parent can never really be prepared for. Birth injuries inflicted onto your child can be a very difficult experience for a parent to endure. Parents assume responsibility when it comes to the safety and wellbeing of their child. So, what is a parent to do when they played no part in their child's injuries? What can a parent do when someone else is to blame for their child's injuries? In the U.S roughly about 29 newborns out of 1,000 suffer some type of birth trauma. Birth traumas can range from a crushed limb caused by forceps to a laceration caused by a scalpel. If your child has sustained injuries during delivery due the negligence of a doctor or nurse you may be able to receive compensation under a medical malpractice claim.
Common birth traumas are listed below.
1. Fractured/Broken bones
During a delivery large amounts of pressure are placed on the baby so it can pass through the birth canal. When a doctor uses too much force with forceps this can crush a baby bones. When doctors pull a newborn if too much force is used, this can also fracture or break bones.
2. Brachial Plexus Injury
This type of injury is very common during deliveries. When a doctor is removing a baby they often have to lightly tug the arms of a newborn to remove it. The area that they tug on is usually the brachial plexus. The brachial plexus are the nerves that connect the baby's arms to the spinal cord. Sometimes the newborns shoulders get stuck and a doctor may have to forcefully pull. If too much force is used this can damage this area. Signs of injury to the brachial plexus are when a baby can not move or rotate his or her arms.
3. Oxygen Deprivation
Sometimes a newborn experiences difficulty taking in their first breaths. If a baby does not receive an adequate amount of oxygen in the first moments outside the mother it can cause damage to the brain. When enough oxygen is not flowing to the brain, brain cells may die. This can be very damaging to a developing brain, such as the brain of a newborn. Oxygen deprivation in newborns can result in cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy makes it extremely challenging for a newborn to control movement of limbs and posture. It is the job of a doctor or a nurse to supply oxygen to a newborn if they are having a difficult time breathing. It is critical that than in the first 3-4 minutes of a child's life outside of the mother it receives an adequate supply of oxygen.
If your child has suffered injuries during the delivery, feel free to contact us at Colley and Colley.
15511 W Highway 71
Suite 110-142
Austin, TX 78738
(512) 477-2001
512-477-3335
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