Some of the common types of birth injuries that can lead to a birth injury lawsuit include:
- Cerebral palsy – When the brain gets too little oxygen, cerebral palsy can result. It is a neurological condition that can impact motor skills and muscle tone. Depending on the severity, cerebral palsy can affect the rest of the baby’s life because it can impair development.
- Brachial plexus injuries – Generally, these happen during deliveries where the doctor uses incorrect instruments (such as forceps) or does not exercise the due care necessary to deliver the baby safely. Here, a bundle of nerves controls movement and sensation in the nerves that get stretched during delivery. In some cases, this damage can be permanent, leading to partial or full paralysis of the arm. Erb’s palsy falls under this category.
- Skull fractures and hematomas – These happen when there is pressure on the baby’s skull during delivery. Many fractures do not result in long term damage, but excessive bleeding and a hematoma can cause brain damage. Bleeding under the skull can cause long-term damage.
- Other brain injuries – Oxygen deprivation to the baby’s brain before delivery causes other types of brain damage. Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) is the most common of these injuries. When a baby is born with these types of injuries, it is usually because the doctor failed to monitor their condition in the prenatal period properly.
