Alabama Birth Injury Lawyers & Attorneys

Medical negligence during child birth, pregnancy, and post-partum care can cause serious life long injuries or death. Some of the types of injury that can occur due to medical negligence during the birth of a child (or post-partum care or pregnancy) are cerebral palsy, newborn jaundice, bone injury, spinal birth defect, asphyxia, c-section injuries, vacuum birth injuries, infant hematoma, and erbs palsy.

If you believe that you may have been the victim of medical negligence during child birth, then give our Alabama birth injury lawyer a call today for a consultation with an injury lawyer in our Montgomery, Anniston, Birmingham, or Huntsville locations.  Below is some information about some of the types of birth injuries that can occur as the result of medical negligence. If you need help call our Alabama injury attorney today.

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy is a term that refers to a group of chronic movement or posture disorders. It is caused by the brain’s inability to adequately control the body.   Approximately 8,000 children are diagnosed with cerebral palsy each year.

Cerebral Palsy can be caused from improper delivery techniques and medical mistakes before, after, and during pregnancy.  Brain damage is a key factor in the development of cerebral palsy.

Some examples of things that can indicate potential brain damage during labor are when the mother’s water broke and the doctor did not make sure that she delivered within 24 hours, umbilical strangulation, and if the baby is not getting enough oxygen either before, during or immediately after birth (this is called birth asphyxia).

Cesarean Section Injury

Cesarean Section is a surgical procedure (used when problems arise during labor which might put the mother’s life or health at risk) where incisions are made in the abdomen and uterus during delivery.   Emergency C-Sections can occur when there are difficulties with labor process, problems with placenta or umbilical cord pose a danger to the baby, there are signs of fetal distress, or the baby is too large to be delivered vaginally.

C-Sections are considered major surgery and are the most common major surgical procedures in the U.S.  They are performed in about 20% of all deliveries in this country.  The World Health Organization claims that no country should have more than 10 to 15 percent of their deliveries done by C-Section due to the dangerous nature of this procedure.

Infant Hematoma/Vacuum Birth

Infant hematoma happens when blood is collected in the area between the outer and the middle layers of the brain covering.   It is most often the result of bleeding in the dura caused by a blow to the head and the seriousness of this condition depends on the size of the hematoma.

Vacuum extraction is when a cup-like device is placed on the head and is used to pull the infant from the womb.   It can be made of plastic or metal and due to the fragile nature of the infant’s head, this procedure can cause serious injury.

Sometimes after these injuries occur to the infant, the newborn’s condition is misdiagnosed and even more complications can arise.  About 10% of all births are vacuum extraction births. Vacuum extraction can cause abrasions, bleeding of the eyes, jaundice, nerve damage, and brain hemorrhaging.

Intracranial hemorrhage and retinal hemorrhage are more likely to occur with vacuum births than vaginal birth.  If a birth injury involving a vacuum extraction has occurred in your family then you should have your legal rights explained to you by a birth injury attorney.

Spinal Birth Injuries/Use of Forceps

Spinal birth defects can be caused by a variety of things, but can sometimes be caused by the use of forceps to extract the infant.   Spinal cord injuries are not usually caused by difficulties in the labor process, but instead by the twisting of the forceps by more than 90 degrees with the baby attached.

Improper use of the forceps can also result in facial bruises and lacerations causing permanent disfigurement. Spinal injuries injuries during child birth can result in paralysis, nerve damage, fractures, and other injuries. Contact our birth injury lawyer if you believe that you may have a claim for medical negligence.

Erb’s Palsy

Erb’s Palsy is a condition caused by an injury to the brachial plexus (nerves surrounding the shoulder).  This condition is characterized by paralysis or weakness of the arm.   Erb’s Palsy is a nerve injury and can be caused by complications during a difficult delivery.

It is estimated that fewer than 10% of brachial plexus birth injuries result in permanent impairment.   Sometimes erb’s palsy can be a preventable condition caused by medical negligence and when this occurs it is recommended that you see an Alabama birth injury attorney to discuss your rights under the law.

Injuries to Mother during Delivery

During the delivery process the mother can receive serious injuries due to the negligence of the medical staff.   The main types of maternal injuries are perineal tears, dyspareunia, and faecal incontinence.   Perineum tears and incisions can cause many serious medical conditions and is sometimes the result of the use of forceps during delivery.

Episiotomy is a surgical procedure where a small surgical incision is made in the perineum to let the baby’s head pass through during delivery (perhaps due to the baby being larger than normal).  This procedure can cause further complications after birth, and sometimes the cut can be done in a negligent manner by the attending medical professional.

Dyspareunia is a condition where an individual experiences pain during or after sexual intercourse.  Although dyspareunia can have other causes, many women suffer this condition following assisted delivery (particularly with the use of forceps).   The pain can be caused by negligence during delivery such as tears to the perineum. Faecal incontinence is the involuntary loss of stool and possibly flatus. This is a common maternal injury due to tears in the perineum in a vaginal birth or incisions made during an episiotomy.

If you believe that an injury may have occurred to either mother or child during the birthing process then call our Birmingham birth injury lawyers for a consultation.