Though we expect medical providers to ensure the safety of mothers and their babies during pregnancy and birth, mistakes can happen at any point in the process leading to birth trauma. Birth injuries can cause long-lasting physical, psychological, and cognitive effects to your child.
If a negligence-related accident during pregnancy or birth caused your child to suffer injuries, you may be able to seek compensation for your family. Attorneys at Anapol Weiss have decades of experience successfully litigating birth injury lawsuits.
Common Types of Birth Injuries
There are many kinds of birth injuries that can occur as a result of a medical professional’s negligence. Three common types of birth injuries are placental abruption, brachial plexus, and shoulder dystocia.
Placental Abruption
Placental abruption occurs when the placenta partly or completely separates from the inner wall of the uterus before delivery. The placenta supplies the baby with essential nutrients and oxygen, which is cut off when the placenta detaches.
Medical professionals may be liable for malpractice if they fail to properly diagnose placental abruption or fail to respond to placental abruption appropriately and urgently. Placental abruption is a serious complication of pregnancy and can result in consequences including restricted growth of the baby, hypoxia, or stillbirth.
Brachial Plexus Injuries
These occur when there is damage to the brachial plexus— the complex network of nerves between the neck and shoulders. The brachial plexus controls muscle function in the chest, shoulder, arms, and hands, as well as feeling in the upper limbs. Injuries may happen when the brachial plexus is stretched, compressed, or torn during childbirth.
Medical providers needlessly cause brachial plexus injuries when they negligently use excessive force or improperly use birth tools (such as forceps or a vacuum extractor) during delivery. Brachial plexus injuries can result in loss of muscle function or paralysis of the shoulder, arm, and/or hand.
Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia occurs when one or both of the baby’s shoulders get stuck inside the pelvis during birth. Injuries can result when medical providers fail to anticipate shoulder dystocia or take the steps necessary to perform the recommended maneuvers to resolve shoulder dystocia during delivery.
When shoulder dystocia occurs, contractions put pressure on the baby’s neck and umbilical cord, causing a lack of oxygen to the brain. This lack of oxygen can disrupt brain development, leading to complications such as nerve damage, developmental delays, and Erb’s palsy.
Contact Anapol Weiss to File a Birth Injury Claim in Philadelphia
Given the severe and sometime permanent consequences a birth injury can cause, it is worth exploring whether you have grounds for a case. While no amount of money can make up for the physical and emotional damage that you and your family have suffered, Anapol Weiss attorneys are here to help you through the process and fight for maximum compensation and justice.
Contact us today at 215-608-9645 to speak to a member of our team. We work with clients in Philadelphia, Old City, Darby, Germantown, and throughout Pennsylvania.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. It should not be considered as legal advice. For personalized legal assistance, please consult our team directly.
