A birth injury can be detrimental to a child and their family, as they often result in the need for extensive medical care and mounting bills from a suburban Maryland facility.
You may be entitled to compensation if your child sustained a birth injury. Our experienced Maryland medical malpractice attorney will fight to hold the responsible party liable and pursue financial recovery on your behalf. Contact Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis, LLP, today to request a complimentary consultation.
What is a birth injury under Maryland law?
A birth injury is an injury caused to a child before, during, or right after childbirth. These physical injuries can result in symptoms lasting a short time but often lead to complications and lifelong conditions for children.
Birth injuries may be inevitable, but in many cases, these injuries occur due to a doctor or other healthcare provider’s negligence. If your child suffers from a birth injury, you may be eligible to pursue compensation from the liable party.
Common Causes of Birth Injuries
Birth injuries can occur for a variety of different reasons. The following are some of the common causes of birth injuries in babies.
Prolonged Labor
There is no average time for labor. How long a woman is in labor depends on many factors. However, if a mother is in labor for too long, it can affect her health and the baby’s well-being.
Sometimes, doctors may need to speed up the process, often resorting to a cesarean section (c-section).
Trauma During Childbirth
Birth injuries can be traumatic if they involve forceful pressure on the baby. A traumatic injury often results from unsafe vaginal births. When a vaginal birth is too difficult or unsafe for mother and child, physicians need to know when to plan for delivery via c-section.
Traumatic childbirths often result from vaginal deliveries when a baby is too large, in the wrong birthing position, or a doctor forcefully uses forceps or a vacuum.
Improper NICU Care
Sometimes after birth, a child must spend some time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). If the baby does not receive the appropriate care required for their condition, it can result in a lifelong medical problems.
Misdiagnosed or Untreated Maternal Medical Conditions
Pregnant women frequently visit their obstetric physician not only to ensure their baby matures properly but also to remain healthy throughout their pregnancy.
Expectant mothers can develop medical conditions at any point during pregnancy. If these conditions are undiagnosed, misdiagnosed, or mistreated, the baby can be at risk for a birth injury.
Some conditions that put women at high risk include:
- Gestational diabetes
- Preeclampsia or high blood pressure
- Thyroid disease
- Obesity
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Autoimmune disorders
Pregnant women rely on their doctors to diagnose and treat conditions that may put their children at risk, and when they fail to do so, the consequences can be severe.
Mismanaged Labor Practices or Emergencies
It is not uncommon for labor to quickly go from calm and normal to frantic if an emergency arises. Doctors, nurses, and all medical staff need to be prepared for anything during childbirth.
Some situations may arise during labor or childbirth and require immediate attention, including:
- Fetal distress
- Umbilical cord wrapping around the baby’s neck
- Placental abruption
- Uterine rupture
Doctors must handle these emergencies immediately, and failing to do so can put both mother and baby at risk for serious complications or even death.
Additionally, routine procedures may go awry, resulting in emergencies or injuries, including wrongful anesthesia administration or improper fetal monitoring.
Types of Birth Injuries
Negligence before, during, or after childbirth may result in any of the following birth injuries:
- Cerebral palsy
- Brachial palsy
- Erb’s palsy
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Fractures
- Nerve damage
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Developmental disabilities
If you believe your child has suffered a birth injury, discuss your case with an experienced Suburban Maryland birth injury lawyer.
How do I know if my child suffers from a birth injury?
Children can suffer from many different ailments, and sometimes it’s confusing to know whether their condition is a result of medical malpractice at birth. Fortunately, a skilled birth injury lawyer knows how to determine whether your child suffers from a birth injury.
Children may suffer a physical injury that is evident due to labor, childbirth, or care after birth. Other injuries may take time to develop or notice. Your lawyer can review your medical records and consult with qualified medical experts to determine whether your child suffers from a birth injury.
Once it has been established your child has sustained a birth injury, your attorney can work diligently to pursue compensation for your losses.
Compensation for Birth Injuries in Suburban Maryland
You may be eligible to seek damages if your child suffers a birth injury. Financial recovery can help ease some of the financial stresses caused by your child’s birth injury.
Damages for birth injuries in Suburban Maryland can include past medical bills, future medical expenses, and pain and suffering.
Consult with a Suburban Maryland Birth Injury Lawyer at Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis, LLP
For over 30 years, Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis, LLP, has represented parents whose children suffered an unfortunate birth injury. We understand the severity and sensitivity of these cases; therefore, you can expect our legal team to approach your case with the care and attention it deserves.
Contact our firm today to schedule a complimentary consultation with a Suburban Maryland birth injury attorney.