The anticipation of the arrival of a baby is a very happy occasion. Families patiently wait for their newest member to arrive. It is a time of hope and joy.
Birth injuries are traumatic experiences for both the infant and the parents. A baby injured during delivery or soon after could face the need for lifelong medical care. Even minor injuries can lead to secondary conditions that require constant care or can cause developmental delays.
Parents facing this situation are devastated by the negligent medical care the baby receives and often do not know where to turn for help. Birth injuries often require extensive medical care, which results in large medical bills.
There are no words that can be used to describe the helplessness that these parents feel at this moment.
How Can A Birth Injury Attorney Help?
When a baby is injured at birth, parents face many challenges. The baby must have access to all of the medical care it needs so that it does not suffer from the discomforts of the injuries and can progress with its development.
Parents must hold the responsible parties accountable for their negligent actions and secure compensation for their baby. This compensation ensures that the baby has access to the medical care needed for the injuries for the rest of their life.
What Types of Compensation May Be Available For My Child?
Your birth injury attorney will look over all of the facts of your case to determine the types of compensation that will be available. Some of the forms of compensation include:
- Cost of current and future medical care for your baby’s injuries. This includes lifetime care if necessary.
- Cost of rehabilitative services including, but not limited to, physical therapy, speech therapy, and other forms of occupational therapy.
- These costs would be included if your child needs specialized in-home care or cares at a nursing facility.
- Cost of medical equipment, including wheelchairs and adaptive costs for the home and family vehicle
- If one of the parents must leave their job to provide at-home care for the child, the loss of their wages will be included in the compensation.
- Loss of enjoyment of life for the child
- Pain and suffering
Your attorney will explain to you the types of compensation they will seek on behalf of your baby.
Causes Of Birth Injuries
There are many ways in which a baby can be harmed during delivery. The most common ways include the following:
- Delayed Cesarean
- Forceps Injuries
- Vacuum Injuries
- Fetal Distress
- Lack of Oxygen
Medical professionals are required to have specialized training to deliver babies. These serious birth injuries can occur when these professionals stray from the accepted methods or perform their duties negligently.
Understanding the Difference Between aBorth Injury and a Birth Defect
Parents need to understand that there is a difference between birth injuries and birth defects. A birth defect is a genetic or congenital disability related to the infant’s DNA. A birth injury is an injury that is the direct result of the actions of the medical care provider during delivery or right after birth occurs.
The Consequences of Birth Injuries
Birth injuries often result in the child suffering from a form of Palsy. Erb’s Palsy can affect the baby’s shoulder, arm, and hand if the nerve in the shoulder is damaged during delivery. Bell’s Palsy is usually a result of forceps being missed and can cause damage to facial muscles and nerves.
Cerebral Palsy is a broad term for neurological injuries that can occur during birth. This type of palsy is usually a result of damage to the brain during delivery, making it impossible for the baby to have proper muscle control.
Many of these conditions can also lead to secondary medical issues impacting the child’s life. These secondary conditions can include the following:
- Stunted or slowed growth
- Joint problems, including slowed growth
- Decrease in muscle strength
- Decrease in nerve responses or sensations
- Loss of bodily functions
- Cognitive impairments
- Emotional or psychological conditions
- Physical disabilities
Your attorney will extensively review all medical records concerning your child so that they can seek compensation for all of their medical conditions resulting from the birth injury.
Speak With A Birth Injury Attorney Today
Click the Find a Lawyer button to be connected with birth injury lawyers in your area. You do not have to face this traumatic situation alone. Speak with a birth injury lawyer and secure compensation for your injured baby.