Birth Injuries
Birth injuries are heartbreaking reminders that medical malpractice takes place during labor and delivery. Doctors, obstetricians, hospitals, nurses, and anesthesiologists who make mistakes during labor and delivery harm mothers and children, as well as their entire families.
Hospitals carefully monitor the condition of the baby during labor and delivery with a fetal heart rate monitor, which shows the baby’s heart rate in relation to contractions or any other changes during labor. Many birth injuries involve the failure of the doctor or nurses to correctly read the information from the fetal monitor, the failure to notify the doctor or the failure to take action at the appropriate time. Unfortunately, these mistakes can cause a lifetime of heartbreak, as birth injuries usually lead to life-long problems that require multiple surgeries and a lifetime of therapy and home health care.
If you think an infant may have been injured during labor or delivery, call the Law Offices of California Medical Malpractice Lawyers Dr. Bruce Fagel & Associates at 1-800-541-9376 to receive an immediate and confidential review of your case. We cannot turn back the clock, but we can help make life better for your baby and family.
For more information regarding birth injuries, watch the following birth injury summation video featuring Dr. Fagel.
Problems during Labor and Delivery
Cerebral Palsy (CP)
Cerebral Palsy, which results from a lack of oxygen to the brain of the baby during labor and/or after delivery, is one of the most severe injuries that can occur during the birth process. The baby gets oxygen through the umbilical cord during the nine months of pregnancy. If the umbilical cord is compressed during labor and/or delivery and the supply of oxygen is not sufficient, the baby’s brain can suffer permanent, often devastating, damage.
Cerebral Palsy is the term used to describe a motor coordination problem that results from an injury to the part of the brain that controls voluntary muscle use and coordination. It is often associated with seizures and/or some degree of mental retardation. There are several different types of Cerebral Palsy, based on the area of brain affected and the severity of the injury.
Any kind of Cerebral Palsy, regardless of its type or severity, can have life-long consequences to the baby and the family. This calls for an immediate and careful investigation of the entire labor and delivery process to determine whether or not this birth injury could have been prevented. In many cases, evidence in the medical record shows significant problems and gives clear proof that the unfortunate outcome could have been prevented with responsible medical care.
If your baby or the baby of someone you care about is suffering from developmental delay or a movement disorder, it is possible that a birth injury may have led to Cerebral Palsy. Call the California Medical Malpractice Law Offices of Dr. Bruce Fagel & Associates at 1-800-541-9376. Dr. Fagel is well known and respected by members of the legal and medical community for the many birth injury cases he has handled successfully. Click here to hear the stories of families who he has helped, and how his representation changed their lives.
Mental Retardation or Development Delay As a Result of Birth Injury
Mental retardation is the legal and medical term referring to individuals with below normal brain function and is usually characterized as mild, moderate or severe. Some cases of mental retardation are the result of a genetic or developmental complication. However, others are the direct result of an injury during birth that could and should have been prevented.
Brain injury during birth is usually the result of a restriction of oxygen or blood flow to the brain. Blood or oxygen flow to the baby during birth is critical and there is no room for error. With today's fetal monitors and highly sophisticated medical equipment, there is reason for these injuries to occur.
If your child suffers from mental retardation that you think may have been caused by a birth injury, it is important that you contact a knowledgeable and experienced medical malpractice attorney who will thoroughly review the medical records and determine where and when the injury took place and who was at fault.
Dr. Bruce Fagel has represented hundreds of families whose loved ones have suffered birth injuries as the result of a doctor or hospital's negligence. With his help, many of these families have won multi-million dollar awards so that their children can be cared for properly and receive the help they need. There are time limits, so we encourage you to contact the Law Offices of California Medical Malpractice Lawyers Dr. Bruce Fagel & Associates as soon as possible to discuss your case with Dr. Fagel.
Erb’s Palsy or Brachial Plexus Injury
If a baby’s head and/or neck are pulled too hard during labor or delivery, or if the head or neck is twisted or bent too far, damage to the sensitive nerves in the upper spine and neck, known as the Brachial Plexus, can lead to a condition known as Erb’s Palsy. Erb’s Palsy, also referred to as Klumke’s Palsy and Brachial Plexus Paralysis, leads to paralysis, loss of muscle control or feeling in hands and arms, facial paralysis, an inability to sit up, crawl or use the arms or hands.
If an obstetrician is properly monitoring a pregnancy, the size and position of the baby should be known to the doctor and the medical team on hand. There are several common practices to prevent Brachial Plexus and other birth injuries. Rotating the baby while it is still in-utero or performing an episiotomy or a C-section are examples of methods used to prevent this injury from taking place. Failure to respond quickly or correctly to the baby’s distress, using too much force at the wrong time can lead to a lifetime of difficulty.
If the delivery or labor has resulted in a child suffering from Erb’s Palsy, contact the California Medical Malpractice Lawyers at the Law Offices of Dr. Bruce Fagel for a free and confidential legal review of your situation.
Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (High Blood Pressure, Eclampsia)
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a serious matter during pregnancy that can harm the mother and unborn child if left untreated. A woman experiencing high blood pressure during pregnancy is at risk of experiencing seizures, convulsions, coma, risking damage to the baby, abrupt separation of the placenta, and other high risk factors. There is no way to prevent high blood pressure caused by pregnancy, but careful monitoring and appropriate response can prevent tragic outcomes.
If Pregnancy Induced Hypertension becomes significantly worse before the mothers’ due date, it can lead to bleeding disorders, seizures, and a condition known as Eclampsia. This is a life-threatening condition that is the leading cause of death throughout the world for pregnant women and their unborn babies. In severe cases, pregnancy induced hypertension may require an early delivery of the baby to save the life of the mother, even if the baby is very premature.
A woman or infant who has been harmed physically by Eclampsia should speak with a knowledgeable attorney to review the medical records. With today's medical technology, it is inexcusable for any hospital or doctor to fail to properly address and care for a pregnant woman with high blood pressure.
If you think that you or someone you care about has suffered as the result of poorly treated pregnancy induced hypertension, we invite you to call the California Medical Malpractice law office of Dr. Bruce Fagel & Associates at 1-800-541-9376 today.
Contact Dr. Bruce G. Fagel & Associates
Toll Free: (800) 541-9376