Birth Injury

Birmingham, Alabama

Birth Injuries
The most blissful moment in a parent's life is often the birth of a child. Though most births go smoothly, complications can surface during pregnancy and delivery. These problems can result in temporary or permanent injury to the infant.

If your child was born with a certain disease or medical condition, like cerebral palsy, it is the doctor's responsibility to diagnosis and to treat that condition immediately. Health care providers must also notify the parents of any medical condition and treat any birth-related injuries before the infant is released.

Experts estimate that five out of every 1,000 infants born in the United States will suffer injuries during birth. While each birth injury is different, most cases are based on two situations; medications taken during pregnancy and a doctor's failure to assess a condition.

Medications during Pregnancy
During pregnancy, an expectant mother may take a medication that her doctor or pharmacist has prescribed. If this medication leads to any type of injury to her newborn baby, she may collect damages from the drug manufacturer, pharmaceutical company, doctor, and pharmacist who provided the drug.

Failure to Assess
If your doctor or obstetrician fails to correctly assess or treat a disorder or complication during pregnancy or delivery, that medical professional can be accountable for infant injuries.

For example, if the doctor did not perform a needed caesarian section or improperly diagnosed the baby's condition inside the womb, that health care professional or hospital could face a birth injury suit.

Other Factors
A birth injury can result from a number of other different factors. Common causes include:

• Oxygen deprivation from the fetus remaining in birth canal for too long.
• Excessive or improper use of a vacuum and forceps.
• Trauma from unusual positioning of the fetus during delivery (if the baby is too large to pass through the canal)
• Excessive or improper force during delivery.
• Failure to properly monitor and respond to changes in the mother's condition.
• Improper tube insertion for a newborn who needs oxygen.

If your child suffered a birth injury and you believe a health care professional may be responsible, please contact the Birmingham medical malpractice lawyers at Burke, Harvey & Frankowski. Our attorneys can explain your rights and help you collect damages. Call or e-mail us today for a free consultation.

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