Statistics show that approximately 27 of every 1,000 births in the United States result in a birth injury. A birth injury is defined as any type of damage to an infant's body before, during or just after birth. Complications in the process of pregnancy, labor and delivery can result in a wide variety of complications for a newborn baby. Birth injuries vary greatly — from very minor to being so severe as to cause the death of the infant.
At Pribanic & Pribanic, we handle a wide range of birth injury cases for clients from the Pittsburgh area, throughout western Pennsylvania and nationwide. Our lawyers will work with you personally to help you explore your legal options during this difficult time.
Contact us today online or by telephone at 412-672-5444 or toll free at 800-392-4529 to speak with an experienced Pittsburgh birth injury attorney.
Birth Injuries and Medical Malpractice
Some common types of birth injuries include skin irritations, temporary paralysis, fractured collar bone, fractured arm, cerebral palsy, brain damage, Erb's palsy and brachial plexus injuries. The most serious injuries involve damage to the infant's head, causing brain damage, traumatic brain injury, seizures and mental retardation. These brain injuries are caused by oxygen deprivation or bleeding inside the brain resulting from trauma during pregnancy, labor or delivery.
There are many "natural" circumstances wherein oxygen deprivation can occur during the labor and delivery process: the umbilical cord may become compressed or twisted in the birth process, the baby is too large to pass through the birth canal easily, or the baby is breech or sideways in the womb.
There are also many circumstances wherein brain damage or brain injuries are caused by mistakes made by doctors, hospitals or other medical professionals during the delivery process. Examples of such circumstances are:
- A delay in performing a necessary cesarean section delivery
- Complications because of VBAC (vaginal birth after C–section) delivery resulting in uterine rupture
- Use of excessive force during delivery
- A miscalculation in the size of the baby, causing a traumatic delivery
An experienced birth injury lawyer should be consulted if your infant has suffered a birth trauma and you suspect it was caused by medical negligence. The attorney should be consulted immediately after birth, even if the extent of the injuries and damages is not yet known. Unfortunately, doctors and hospitals will almost never admit fault or offer to pay reasonable damages to cover even the least likely economic loss from an injury. Appropriate discovery is essential to knowing whether you have a legal case, and what the likely lifetime costs associated with any permanent injury will be.
Contact a Pennsylvania Delivery Complication Attorney
If your family has suffered due to a birth injury and you need experienced legal guidance, we are here for you. Contact us today online or by telephone at 412-672-5444 or toll free at 800-392-4529 to speak with a knowledgeable Pittsburgh birth injury attorney.
