What are the Lifelong Effects of Birth Injuries?

It’s estimated that one out of every 33 babies born (or approximately 120,000 each year) are born with a birth injury. An additional five out of every 1,000 born die in childbirth or before their first birthday every year. Although not all birth defects and injuries can be prevented, medical malpractice can be the cause of a large portion of them. These mistakes during pregnancy and childbirth can lead to lifelong adverse effects for both the baby and the families who raise them, leading to financial strain, emotional stress, and more. 

What are the most common birth injuries in the U.S., and what are the lifelong effects that come with them? 

Birth Injuries in the U.S.

A birth injury is any damage that occurs as a result of the birthing process, leading to a defect in the child after it is born. Some of the most common birth injuries in the U.S. and their lifelong impacts are:

• Cerebral palsy impacts a person’s ability to move and maintain their balance. The child may need assistance walking, may not be able to control their muscles, and may struggle with eating, sleeping, learning, and other day-to-day tasks.
• Erb’s palsy can also impact a child’s ability to move for the rest of their life. Long term complications include decreased strength and stamina, abnormal movement and joint function, atrophy of muscles, osteoarthritis, decreased balance and coordination, issues with bone growth, and limb length discrepancies. 
• Brain damage and spinal cord injuries can lead to a wide range of lifelong physical and cognitive conditions. 
• Hydrocephalus leads to learning, physical, and developmental disabilities. This can lead to behavioral issues, emotional distress, inability to socially connect with others, and depression. 
• Hyperbilirubinemia can cause jaundice, which can lead to other conditions like kernicterus (brain damage), hearing loss, cerebral palsy, and other complications. 
• Perinatal asphyxia can lead to death or stillbirth. Cutting off oxygen to the infant’s brain during childbirth can also lead to long-term disabilities that include pulmonary hypertension, renal dysfunction, neurological issues, and liver and myocardial dysfunction. 
• Cephalohematoma can lead to anemia, bone deposits, and developmental delays. 
• Bone injuries and fractures can damage nerves, leading to a loss of sensation or lifelong paralysis.

What Causes These Conditions in Children?

Malpractice during childbirth is the leading cause of many of these conditions. Mistakes during delivery that can lead to harmful birth injuries include:

• Surgical errors (during a C-section or vaginal birth)
• Improper administration of anesthesia
• Giving the wrong medications
• Failure to recognize and react to fetal distress
• Using instruments and devices that can harm the baby, such as improper use of forceps or vacuum
• Making improper evaluations of medical conditions and emergencies
• Oxygen deprivation

In addition to birth injuries that happen during childbirth, medical mistakes during pregnancy can lead to lifelong conditions and injuries in children. Incidents of medical malpractice that can lead to birth defects include:

• Failure to perform the right diagnostic or routine tests 
• Missing a major warning sign in an ultrasound or other imaging 
• Prescribing medication that can be dangerous to take during pregnancy 
• Ignoring test results 
• Misdiagnosis or missed diagnoses

These mistakes can be made by a wide range of physicians and healthcare professionals, all of whom can be held liable for the damage you or your loved one has sustained. Medical professionals who can be at fault for birth injuries include doctors, nurses, anesthesiologists, midwives, hospital staff, paramedics/EMTs, and radiologists.

Do You Have a Birth Injury Case?

The lifelong effects of birth injuries are a significant concern for families who are forced to navigate the emotional, financial, and physical challenges that come with caring for a child affected by these conditions. 

If you or your child has been impacted by one of these conditions, you do have legal recourse. Medical malpractice is often the cause of these birth injuries. At Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow LLP, we provide strong legal representation for families who are living with the lifelong effects of birth injuries. Our experienced attorneys specialize in cases involving birth injuries due to malpractice. We have a proven track record of securing a total of over a billion dollars for our clients through successful verdicts and judgments.

Birth Injury Cases Are Complex

Our attorneys understand the intricacies of birth injury cases and are well-equipped to hold medical professionals accountable for their mistakes. We offer support to families during hard times and throughout their pursuit of justice and compensation for lifelong conditions.  

Birth injury legal cases can be complex and multifaceted, requiring in-depth knowledge of the medical field and how the law applies to malpractice cases. We can help you build a strong birth injury case that consists of: 

• Medical expertise: Birth injury cases often require a deep understanding of obstetrics, neonatology, and related medical fields.  
• Causation: We work with expert witnesses to establish a clear link between the injury and medical malpractice. 
• Multiple defendants: These cases often involve multiple defendants, and assigning blame can often be a game of percentages. We can help you parse out who is in the wrong and identify who is liable. 

Whether we are negotiating a settlement or going to court, we will help you secure the compensation you deserve. Your child’s well-being and your family’s future may depend on it. If you’ve been impacted by a birth injury, reach out to us for a free case evaluation today.