| Related Links: Newborns Can Be Seriously Hurt By a Group B Strep Infection Cephalohematoma Could Be an Indicator of a Bigger Birth Injury Problem |
Birth injuries can occur for a variety of reasons, but it's how your doctor handles the situation that determines whether or not their negligence may be at fault. They may have made a decision that was 100 percent negligent and was directly responsible for your child's injury, but they also may have made a negligent decision when your child was already in some kind of distress not caused by the doctor. Sometimes it can be hard to really tell who is at fault for a birth injury, but an experienced malpractice attorney will be able to analyze the situation and help you understand.
Regardless of fault, there are a few major reasons why birth injuries occur:
- Prolonged or especially difficult labor
- The size of the baby. If a baby is too large (about 9 pounds or more) or too small (usually born before 37 weeks), they can get hurt
- Cephalopelvic disproportion, which means the mother's pelvis is not an adequate size or shape for a safe vaginal delivery
- Abnormal birthing presentation, such as when the baby is breech
If one or more of these situations happen during a birth, it is possible that the baby will be injured. These injuries could involve bleeding (internal or external), swelling, bruising, fractures, paralysis, nerve damage, and the development of some type of palsy.
Did your child suffer a birth injury because of the negligent actions of a medical professional in Texas, Oklahoma or Arkansas? Contact The Girards Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation with our birth injury law firm at 888.333.9709.