5 Commonly Asked Birth Injury Questions

Do you think your child may have suffered a birth injury? Dealing with an injured or sick child can be frightening and confusing, especially if that injury occurred while under the care of medical professionals you should have been able to trust. In order to protect your rights and better understand the injury your child has suffered, make sure you know the basics about birth injuries.

If you or someone you love may have experienced a birth injury, take the next step and review these frequently asked questions.

Who is responsible for causing a birth injury?

Birth injuries are most often caused by medical mistakes made by doctors, nurses, midwives, or other healthcare professionals. If the baby is mishandled, tools are improperly used, or if medications are administered incorrectly, it could cause the child and the mother significant harm. Also, birth injuries may be caused by defective medical equipment, dangerous drugs, or hospital errors.

What are a few common types of birth injuries?

Some of the most common types of birth injuries involve head and spinal damage, usually because the baby is mishandled during delivery with the use of forceps or other tools. Newborns might also suffer nerve damage, especially in the neck and shoulder area, due to excessive pulling or twisting during delivery. Or, if a doctor fails to order a Cesarean section in time, it could lead to oxygen deprivation, which may cause brain damage.

Is there a difference between a birth injury and a birth defect?

Although they may seem similar, birth injuries and birth defects are actually very different. Birth defects are caused by natural causes, usually because of the child’s DNA or other medical predispositions. Birth injuries, on the other hand, are caused by any sort of damage inflicted on the child before, during, or after birth. This may include acts of negligence or lack of proper medical care.

What are the signs that my child may have suffered a birth injury?

Each birth injury will present itself differently. For example, a child with a head injury will exhibit different symptoms in comparison to a child with shoulder nerve damage. However, as a rule, parents of newborns should look for any abnormal behavior or any developmental issues in order to spot any potential symptoms of injury. Injured newborns may cry inconsolably, or they may be more lethargic than normal, or they might not have full function in certain areas of their bodies. If you suspect that your child has any type of injury, contact your doctor immediately.

How can I find out if I have a valid birth injury case?

Birth injury cases can be extremely complicated and often require thorough investigation. However, if your child was harmed, you have a right to take action against the doctor, nurse, or hospital responsible for their pain and suffering. In order to find out whether or not you have a valid case, reach out to a personal injury lawyer who has experience working on medical malpractice cases involving birth injuries.

If your child suffered a birth injury, it is important that you act fast to seek justice and compensation. Contact Cullan & Cullanto get started on your Phoenix personal injury case today.