Welcoming your new child into the world should be a joyful experience; most parents experience this during their child’s birth. Unfortunately, other parents’ joy may be disrupted by birth injury complications that might be permanent, setting children up for lives filled with difficulties and disabilities. While birth injuries may result from unavoidable complications, in some cases, they result from medical negligence.
Talk to our Maryland injury attorneys at Pinder Plotkin about holding a negligent doctor or any other party accountable for your baby’s birth injuries and other complications. Our birth injury legal team represents the families of children who suffered avoidable birth injuries, helping them hold responsible parties accountable and recover the compensation to which they may be entitled so they can provide the best possible care for their children.
The Pinder Plotkin Difference
When you choose Pinder Plotkin, you’re working with a top-notch legal team. Our dedicated personal injury law firm:
- Has won multiple settlements for injury victims
- Offers free consultation with no obligation
- Only charges you a fee after winning your case
- Is available 24/7
Do not hesitate to speak with our Maryland birth injury attorneys today to find out how we can help.
Types of Birth Injuries
Most birth injuries are preventable and are often the result of medical negligence. Here are some common types of birth injuries:
Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is an extremely harmful and possibly fatal neurologic birth injury caused by trauma or complications during delivery. The result is a substantial interruption in blood supply and oxygen. When a baby is not getting sufficient oxygen, it should be treated as an obstetrical emergency that demands immediate delivery of the child.
If the baby is not delivered immediately, oxygen deprivation might trigger permanent damage to their brain cells, resulting in periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), cerebral palsy, or other birth injuries.
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a life-long condition resulting from improper medical care during or shortly after birth. Cerebral palsy occurs when your assigned physician does not perform a C-section when needed or due to medical negligence during the delivery. Still, it can also be caused by damage to the child’s brain during pregnancy. The condition can affect a child’s motor development and speech, requiring continuous medical care as they grow.
Brachial Palsy
Brachial palsy occurs when the brachial plexus nerves, which control arm movement, are damaged, leaving the child with partial or total paralysis in the arm. Stretching and tearing during difficult vaginal deliveries often injure these nerves. Surgery or continued physical therapy may be necessary to help the child regain function and sensation in their arms and shoulders.
When a complication with delivery risks causing brachial palsy, the obstetrician may opt to perform a C-section.
Fractures
Collarbone or clavicle fractures are the most common fractures during labor and delivery. These fractures may occur when there is trouble delivering the baby or during a breech delivery. However, fractures may heal quickly.
Caput Succedaneum
Caput succedaneum is a significant swelling of the baby’s scalp that develops when the baby travels through the birth canal. Babies delivered through vacuum extraction are more likely to have this condition. The swelling typically goes away after a few days.
Other preventable birth injuries our Maryland birth injury lawyers handle include the following:
- Subconjunctival hemorrhage
- Facial paralysis
- Cephalohematoma
- Shoulder dystocia
How Do I Know if My Baby’s Birth Injury Was Caused by Malpractice?
When you discover a birth injury, there is no quick way to establish that your baby’s birth injury was caused by medical negligence. No doctor will admit to having made a mistake. Many birth injuries are linked to some form of medical negligence.
It’s crucial to consult an attorney who can help you investigate the procedure and uncover evidence to prove your baby’s birth injury was avoidable. Please contact our birth injury legal team in Maryland if you suspect your baby’s injuries were preventable. We will work with experts, leaving no stone unturned, to determine if you have a case and fight for the justice your child and family deserve.
The Most Common Types of Birth Injury Malpractice
Malpractice occurs when healthcare providers fail to accord patients the expected standard of care. It can come in many forms, including:
Forceps and Vacuum Errors
These errors often occur when there is negligent or unskilled use of a vacuum pump extractor or obstetrical forceps when delivering a baby.
Failure to Monitor
Medical professionals are trained to understand the birthing process and monitor any risk factors that might cause birth injuries. When they do not monitor patients, they may fail to detect complications such as a prolapsed umbilical cord or note signs that the baby is distressed.
C-Section Malpractice
An unreasonable delay or failure to perform a C-section could result in a baby suffering a birth injury or even wrongful death.
Other types of birth injury malpractice include:
- Not monitoring the baby’s oxygen before and after delivery
- Use of unnecessary force during childbirth
- Failure to act quickly in dangerous situations
- Forceps marks or bruising
- Failure to order a C-section
Complications resulting from medical malpractice can cause long-term birth injuries that may affect your child’s life. If your baby is a victim of medical malpractice, you may be entitled to compensation. Our Maryland birth injury lawyers can review your case and help you determine if you can file a claim.
Damages for Maryland Birth Injury Cases
Birth injuries can result in permanent disabilities or long-term injuries, making it harder for you to look after your child. These injuries may also result in conditions requiring prolonged physical therapy and medical care, which can be costly. A lawsuit can cover most expenses, including current and projected future medical costs. This means you may not incur any out-of-pocket expenses for your child’s injuries.
The damages you can claim after a birth injury in Maryland can include:
- Medical expenses
- Ongoing medical care
- Physical therapy
- Medical devices
- Pain and suffering
- Occupational therapy
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
In Maryland, you can claim birth injury damages as long as they were caused by a doctor’s negligent care. But remember, you have three years from the date of the injury to file a medical malpractice or birth injury claim.
Contact Our Birth Injury Lawyers in Maryland for Legal Advice
Having your child suffer birth injuries that could have been avoided can be devastating, especially if they result in a permanent condition or disability. These injuries can place a heavy burden on families forced to deal with the malpractice’s aftermath.
The attorneys at Pinder Plotkin can help if you suspect your child is a victim of a birth injury resulting from negligence. We will dedicate our resources to your case, conduct thorough investigations, and build a solid defense to help you recover compensation.
Contact our experienced Maryland birth injury lawyers at (410)-525-5337 to book a free case review.