Common Birth Injuries
Having a baby is often a joyous event, however, complications may arise, causing lifelong defects and other issues that may affect an infant’s ability to grow and enjoy life fully. Birth injuries are caused by a number of reasons, including the baby’s position or size during labor as well as the possibilities of gestational diabetes and premature or prolonged labor.
Many birth injuries in Pennsylvania are minor. According to the Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital, some common birth injuries include bruising from forceps, fractures during labor and delivery, facial paralysis (often caused by the use of forceps) and caput succedaneum, or severe swelling of the soft tissue of the babies scalp. Some of these conditions may heal within a matter of weeks or months, while others can last a lifetime.
There are some cases where babies are born with serious defects such as cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury (TBI) or Erb’s palsy. These injuries can affect the child’s cognitive functions, memory, personality and muscle control. These conditions can greatly decrease an infant’s quality of life as well as incur costly medical bills and can even cause psychological damage to family members involved.
If your infant has suffered one of the above birth injuries, you may be entitled to recover compensation for medical bills and other financial losses incurred as a result of your child’s condition. Many parents do not realize that doctors can sometimes be held liable, if negligence or failure to diagnose can be proven. Medical professionals have a responsibility to their patients. The experienced Philadelphia birth injury attorneys at Cherry, Fieger & Marciano can help you understand your rights and file a claim. Call today for a free consultation at 1-888-684-7192.
