Scranton Birth Injury Attorneys
Giving birth is a delicate and difficult process that can be fraught with complications. Birth injuries are an all too common occurrence. In fact, statistics suggest that approximately 27 out of every 1,000 births in the United States involve some sort of birth-related injury. Birth injuries encompass any kind of harm caused to a baby before, during or upon delivery. Those injuries are not to be confused with birth defects, which are usually the result of a genetic disorder.
Birth injuries can range in severity from temporary bone fractures, to bleeding and bruising, to permanent brain damage. The most common birth injuries are cerebral palsy, oxygen deprivation, mental retardation, Erb’s palsy, and Klumpke’s palsy.
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is one of the most well-known birth injuries, affecting more than 5,000 babies annually. The term “cerebral palsy” encompasses several different neuromuscular deficiencies, all marked by a lack of muscle control and coordination that makes many basic motions impossible for the person afflicted with the disease. Cerebral palsy is a form of brain damage, the extent of which varies from person to person. The part of the brain that is damaged determines which part of the body is affected by abnormal muscle tone. The main types of cerebral palsy are:
- Spastic – indicated by muscles that are too tight such that the person has stiff jerky movements.
- Athetoid – marked by involuntary and uncontrolled movements.
- Ataxic – denoted by muscles that are too weak such that the person has poor balance and depth perception.
- Mixed – a combination of types.
Erb’s Palsy / Klumpke’s Palsy
Erb’s palsy and Klumpke’s palsy are injuries to the brachial plexus, which is a group of nerves that travels from the spinal cord through the arms and into the fingertips. The primary cause of brachial plexus injuries is excessive pressure to a baby’s neck or head during delivery, often done when a baby’s shoulders get lodged behind the mother’s pelvic bone. The nerves can be stretched, partially torn, or completely ruptured. Erb’s palsy is paralysis of the shoulder or upper arm while Klumpke’s palsy is paralysis of the hand or wrist.
Causes
Although some birth injuries result from natural causes, the harsh reality is that many result from a medical professional’s negligence or error. There are a number of people who may be held responsible for a birth injury other than the doctor, including attending nurses, support staff, technicians, and even the hospital itself. Some common mistakes include:
- Leaving the baby in the birth canal too long.
- Failure to recognize and treat seizures following delivery.
- Failure to detect a prolapsed umbilical cord.
- Excessive use of vacuum extraction.
- Improper use of forceps.
- Failure to perform a cesarean section when the baby is in distress.
- Failure to respond to changes in the baby’s heart rate.
- Failure to respond to the mother’s changing health conditions.
Where birth injuries are caused by a medical professional’s negligence or mistake, the parents of the injured baby may be entitled to claim compensation. Although monetary compensation cannot make up for the harm caused to the baby, it can help pay for the expensive and lengthy medical care that the injured baby will likely need. It can also help with other costs incurred in giving the injured child as healthy and productive a future as possible.
If you suspect that your child has sustained a birth injury, you should seek legal assistance as soon as possible after the birth. Even if you are unsure, the Scranton birth injury attorneys of Munley, Munley & Cartwright, P.C . can review your case and advise you whether you have grounds to seek financial compensation. Medical negligence can be difficult to prove, but the experienced Scranton birth injury lawyers of Munley, Munley & Cartwright, P.C., will evaluate the facts surrounding your case and assemble the medical evidence in order to maximize your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve.
If you or someone you love has suffered from a birth injury, please contact the Scranton birth injury lawyers of Munley, Munley, & Cartwright, P.C., at (800) 318-LAW1 or contact us online. We have offices conveniently located in Scranton, Stroudsburg, Carbondale, Plains, Hazleton, Harrisburg and Hamlin, PA. Our initial consultation is free of charge and our goal is to provide exceptional legal services to our clients.
