If you’re a new parent, you have a lot of new joy and worry on your mind. Unfortunately, the existence of a birth injury can add a lot to the latter.
What Is a Birth Injury?
A birth injury is an injury a baby sustains as a result of negligent prenatal and/or delivery care on the part of a medical professional. Each year, thousands of babies are born in the U.S. with birth injuries, and while not all are the result of medical professional negligence, many of them are.
A few examples of common birth injuries include the following:
- Cerebral Palsy
- Facial Paralysis
- Brachial Plexus
- Oxygen Deprivation
- Hemorrhages
- Spinal Cord Injuries
What Can a Parent Do About Birth Injuries?
Detecting birth injuries as early as possible is critically important. Early detection can result in timely intervention and treatment, which could potentially mitigate long-term effects and improve the child's quality of life. Parents play an instrumental role in this process. By staying vigilant for signs and symptoms of birth injuries, such as unexplained seizures, difficulties with sucking or swallowing, weak or abnormal movements, and delayed development, parents can speed up the diagnosis process. If a birth injury is suspected, the parents should promptly consult a health professional for a thorough assessment. Additionally, documenting any abnormalities and maintaining clear communication with healthcare professionals can be highly beneficial. If the birth injury is due to medical negligence, parents may also need to consult a birth injury attorney to explore legal avenues.
For parents, understanding common birth injury symptoms is not only crucial for the health and wellbeing of their newborn but also for seeking both medical and legal assistance promptly. Alongside medical aid, rapid recognition of these symptoms can also expedite the legal process, if negligence is suspected. Consulting with a birth injury law firm at the earliest can ensure timely legal action, thereby safeguarding the rights of the child and the family.
Here are some symptoms that parents should look out for after the birth of their child...
Common Birth Injury Symptoms
Birth injuries aren’t always obvious, and they may not become apparent until later in your child’s life. As a new parent, you might find it especially difficult to tell if your child’s appearance and behavior are typical or indicative of a birth injury.
Some common symptoms of a birth injury include the following:
- Hypoxia (low oxygen levels) during birth
- Infant’s failure to begin breathing upon birth
- Seizures that begin within 48 hours after birth
- Bruising, swelling, or abrasions on the shoulders, face, or head
- Unusually limp or stiff limbs
- Failure to meet typical developmental milestones
New parents are often frightened by things that end up being OK, but it doesn’t hurt to remain vigilant when you suspect your baby is suffering from a birth injury.
Contact an Attorney for Legal Assistance
If you believe your child is suffering from a birth injury caused by a medical professional’s negligence, you can hold them and other parties responsible with legal action. The Law Office of David Kates helps clients pursue a variety of medical malpractice claims, including birth injuries, to help them fight for important compensation.
For more information about our legal assistance, contact us online now and request a free consultation.