How Do Medical Staff Cause Birth Injuries?

 Posted on February 15, 2024 in Medical Malpractice

Birth injuries are an unfortunate occurrence, and these injuries are often caused by negligence or recklessness on behalf of medical or hospital staff. It is important to be aware of how common birth injuries occur and how serious they can be. A skilled Illinois medical malpractice lawyer can help you navigate your next steps if you suspect your child has received a birth injury.

How Serious Are Birth Injuries?

Birth injuries range in severity, though many birth injuries can be serious and impact an infant for the rest of her life. Common birth injuries include fractures, brachial palsy, cephalohematoma, bruising, hemorrhages, and facial paralysis. These injuries may be evident immediately after birth, or they may take much longer to be fully or even partially apparent.

Birth injuries for infants are often the result of medical malpractice, which includes negligence or improper medical care. Medical and hospital staff may cause birth injuries by doing any of the following:

• Failing to assess the risk for a mother and child

• Using too much force during birth

• Not ordering correct tests or procedures

• Failing to notice bleeding in the mother or child

• Failing to respond quickly to an emergency

In very serious cases, not responding appropriately to distress in a mother or an infant, or failure to perform correct medical procedures, can lead to the death of an infant or the mother.

Pursuing a Claim for Birth Injuries

If you suspect a birth injury has occurred to your child and you are pursuing further testing, you may also be wondering if you are eligible for compensation to cover medical expenses and ongoing treatment or care. Pursuing a claim for birth injuries can be complex, but in many cases, it is possible.

The key to a birth injury claim is proving that medical staff acted in a negligent or reckless manner that led to medical malpractice and subsequent birth injuries. This process is difficult, which is why a skilled attorney is needed to help you navigate your claim.

Contact a Cook County, IL Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Dealing with a birth injury is often a tragic experience for everyone involved and medical costs can be extensive. If you are interested in pursuing a claim for a birth injury to your child, document your case extensively and reach out to an experienced Chicago, IL medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible.

Call 312-236-2700 for a free consultation at Adler Law Offices, LTD to learn more about your options.