What Are the Common Causes of Birth Injuries in Illinois?

 Posted on June 09, 2020 in Medical Malpractice

Parents' most important job is to protect their children and this responsibility begins at the conception of their child. For pregnant mothers, this can include taking prenatal vitamins, attending required doctor appointments, and following the dietary guidelines given to them by their health provider to keep their baby healthy and safe, even before birth. As is true throughout the child’s life, there are some matters that are out of the parents’ hands—and this battle begins before the child is born. According to the Birth Injury Justice Center, seven out of every 1,000 children will suffer from a birth injury. Some of these injuries may be minor, while others can bring on a lifetime of medical bills, doctor visits, and various other struggles that the child must endure. Depending on the circumstances, medical malpractice may have caused your child’s birth injury. 

Getting to the Root of the Problem

There are a number of reasons why a child may suffer from a birth injury. There may be natural causes, genetic dispositions, or medical mistakes that contributed to the child’s injuries. Before a parent can take legal action in defense of their child, it is important to pinpoint the possible causes of the injuries. One of the uncontrollable causes of birth injuries is the size of the child. Babies weighing over eight pounds or those born before the 37-week mark who are fragile and underweight have a higher risk of suffering from a birth injury. Prolonged labor can also lead to such injuries. The mother’s health is a key factor in her child’s well-being. If the mom has been exposed to toxins throughout the pregnancy or if she is severely overweight, it is not uncommon for birth injuries to result.

One of the primary causes of birth injuries is negligence by the medical staff. As is the case with all medical patients, mothers in labor place their trust in their medical team. However, they may not always make the right decisions at the moment. If a doctor uses excessive force during childbirth, the physical trauma can cause significant damage to the baby’s neck, shoulders, and head. Due to the fragile state of the child and the location of these possible injuries, such damage can lead to permanent brain or nerve damage. 

Is My Child’s Condition Considered a Birth Injury?

In some cases, birth injuries may not be immediately noticeable but may develop and become evident over time. The following are a few of the most common birth injuries sustained during labor and delivery:

• Erb’s and cerebral palsy
• Bruising or forceps marks
• Cephalohematoma (damaged blood vessels during labor and delivery)
• Fractures
• Facial paralysis

Liability for the above conditions can be addressed legally to determine if a medical professional was at fault for causing the injuries. An experienced medical negligence attorney can assist you in seeking compensation for medical bills, physical therapy, and ongoing treatment or care for your child. 

Contact a Palatine Medical Malpractice Attorney

It can be difficult to imagine your doctor as a guilty party in your child’s injuries or deformities. While doctors may make mistakes, your child should not suffer a lifetime of pain or other difficulties because of their lapse in judgment. The legal team at Newland & Newland, LLP understand the devastation that such medical errors can bring upon your child and the rest of your family. Our attorneys work to defend those who cannot speak for themselves to help you obtain the financial assistance that you need and deserve. If your child has suffered from a birth injury and you believe a medical team may be to blame, contact our Arlington Heights birth injury lawyers at 847-797-8000 to schedule your free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.childbirthinjuries.com/birth-injury/statistics/

https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=birth-injuries-90-P02687