Birth injuries often have devastating and lifelong consequences for children and families. While some complications are unavoidable, many birth injuries stem from medical negligence and failure to adhere to established standards of care.
Detailed Causes of Preventable Birth Injuries
- Failure to Monitor and Respond to Fetal Distress: Continuous fetal heart rate monitoring during labor is essential. Delayed intervention when distress signals appear can result in oxygen deprivation, leading to hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) or cerebral palsy.
- Improper Use of Delivery Instruments: Forceps or vacuum extractors, when used incorrectly, can cause fractures, nerve damage, or brain hemorrhages. Excessive pulling or incorrect positioning of these instruments increases the risk of Erb’s palsy or other brachial plexus injuries.
- Delayed Cesarean Section: Failure to perform a timely C-section when indicated—such as during umbilical cord prolapse, placental abruption, or prolonged labor—can cause permanent brain or physical injuries.
- Mismanagement of Maternal Conditions: Maternal infections like Group B strep, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, or untreated urinary tract infections can lead to premature birth or complications that harm the newborn.
- Inadequate Staffing and Poor Communication: Labor and delivery require close coordination between obstetricians, nurses, and specialists. Miscommunications or understaffing can lead to delayed treatments or missed warning signs.
Recognizing the Signs of Birth Injuries
Parents may notice symptoms such as excessive bruising, abnormal muscle tone, seizures, feeding difficulties, or developmental delays. Early diagnosis and intervention can improve outcomes, but recognizing potential negligence is key to seeking legal remedies.
Legal Action for Birth Injuries
Birth injury lawsuits require detailed review of medical records, expert testimony, and precise timelines to prove negligence. Sullivan Papain’s birth injury lawyers in NYC specialize in navigating this complex area of law, advocating for families to obtain compensation for medical costs, therapy, lost wages, and long-term care.
About the Firm
As a full-service personal injury firm, Sullivan Papain Block McManus Coffinas & Cannavo P.C. specializes in all areas of personal injury. Our dedicated litigation support teams diligently and vigorously represent clients, including matters related to 9/11-related illness, personal injury, car accidents, construction accidents, medical malpractice, premises liability, product liability, and firefighter law, across New York City, Long Island, Nassau, and Suffolk counties, as well as New Jersey.
To learn more about our firm or schedule a consultation with an attorney, contact us today.