Lasting Effects of a Birth Injury | KNR
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July 17, 2019
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Despite advances in modern medicine, childbirth is a dangerous time for both mother and child. Most of the time complications during pregnancy, labor, and delivery can be resolved with prompt and effective medical care. Most doctors do their best to ensure the health of mothers and newborns during childbirth, but sometimes mistakes are made. Unfortunately, medical malpractice during birth result in devastating injuries to the mother and child, potentially even death.

If your family has been affected by a birth injury, you may feel alone and be wondering where to turn for help You may know that something went wrong during the birth of your child but have many unanswered questions about who should be held accountable. If you have been told your child will need long-term care, you may be wonder how you will afford it. Our medical malpractice attorneys at Kisling, Nestico & Redick are here to help answer all your questions.

Lasting Effects of Birth Injuries for Children

Sometimes a birth injury will heal on its own without invasive treatment. More serious injuries may require medical intervention such as a surgery to be corrected. Some birth injuries are serious and permanent, and the best thing that a parent can do is plan for their child’s future with the understanding that lifelong care will likely be required.

Muscle Injuries and Fractures

Muscle injuries and fractures are sometimes related to the way a baby is positioned during delivery. Sometimes they occur due to medical malpractice with improper use of forceps, vacuums, and surgical instruments. Lasting effects of muscle injuries may include:

  • Weakness
  • Numbness
  • Paralysis
  • Inability to use the affected limb
  • Pain in the affected area
  • Failure to meet developmental milestones such as rolling over, feeding, and sitting up without assistance

Catastrophic Injuries

The most serious injuries that may occur during birth are catastrophic injuries. A catastrophic injury is one to the brain or spinal cord that is not expected to fully heal with medical treatment. A common cause of catastrophic brain trauma is deprivation of oxygen during birth due to a long and difficult delivery or spinal cord problems. Misuse of forceps during delivery can cause a fracture to the baby’s skull.

The effects of a major catastrophic injury are likely to include:

  • Partial or full paralysis
  • Inability to walk, speak or feed without assistance
  • Failure to meet developmental milestones
  • Need for lifelong 24/7 care, potentially in a residential setting

Sometimes partial recovery from a catastrophic injury is possible, but as a child grows, they may need assistance with schooling and transportation as well as modifications to housing. Children who have trouble walking due to their injuries may need the assistance of a wheelchair or walker.

Lasting Effects of Birth Injuries for Mothers

Mothers who go through a difficult labor may experience the lasting effects of a birth injury. Doctors are required to carefully monitor both the mother and child for signs of distress. Sometimes doctors fail to do so and miss important clues or fail to respond to signs that a serious problem has developed. In some cases, serious and uncontrolled blood loss can lead to brain damage and even death.

Injuries to the vaginal area such as tearing may cause urinary or fecal incontinence. In some cases, a fistula may develop which may cause fecal matter to pass through the vaginal area, requiring surgery to correct. Injuries to the uterus such as prolapse and tearing may require a hysterectomy. This can mean costly future medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages due to the time spent in recovery.

Paying for the Costs of Future Care

It is important for families to understand that doctors will not always clearly explain what went wrong during birth. Doctors rarely like to admit fault. Some doctors will blame other professionals or claim that a birth injury occurred due to natural causes or was unavoidable. Insurance providers may pressure professionals to avoid admitting fault or even apologize when something goes terribly wrong d uring a medical procedure.

Filing a claim for medical malpractice can help your family understand what went wrong. Without filing a lawsuit, you may never be able to find out exactly what happened because doctors and hospitals often won’t admit what happened on their own. Our attorneys have the skills and experience to clearly explain complex medical terms and consult with independent medical experts about your case.

After a serious birth injury, your loved one may need expensive care, potentially for life. This may include assistance with education, future surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and care in a residential setting. Filing a lawsuit is an important way to ensure that your loved one gets all the care that they need in the future.

Do You Have Questions About Lasting Effects of a Birth Injury? Consult Our Experienced Medical Malpractice Lawyers

If your family has been affected by a serious birth injury, you will want our experienced lawyers to help you with your case. Birth injury cases can quite be complex and require a thorough understanding of what can go wrong during childbirth. The process of reaching a settlement or proceeding to trial can be lengthy because doctors usually don’t want to admit fault. Our aggressive medical malpractice lawyers can help you seek justice. Contact us online to schedule a consultation to discuss your case.