Birth Trauma and Your Right to Claim Compensation

Baby in the hospital during a birth trauma Giving birth is one of the most painful yet meaningful experiences that mothers go through. However, problems may arise inevitably for some mothers and must be addressed to avoid life-threatening situations.

One of the most painful experiences that a mother can undergo, which may be a result of different factors, is birth trauma. Birth Trauma results from injuries incurred by a newly born child. It may be a fracture or a cut, hemorrhage, or laceration.

Birth trauma is caused by either the long-term consequences that result from brain damage or excessive pressure or force during childbirth. It can be a traumatic experience for mothers and may lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  If the excessive pressure should have been foreseen or is the direct result of negligence by the doctor or staff, it can be considered malpractice and an attorney with experience in birth injuries can help you get the compensation you need for your child and his or her future.

What is Traumatic Birth Injury?

When excessive physical force is applied during delivery, it often results in a traumatic birth injury or birth trauma. These kinds of injuries specifically damages the baby’s tissues and organs.  Here are some of the most common traumatic birth injuries:

  • Bleeding on the cranial bone area – Bleeding usually occurs in the skull area when blood accumulates on the periosteum or the fibrous covering of the skull.
  • Head bruises or swelling -It occurs when delivery is difficult, and when pressure or force is applied through the use of forceps.
  • Facial nerve injury or injury to nerves of hands and arms -It usually occurs when the fetus was positioned in the uterus in a way that the nerve presses on the pelvis of the mother. It may also happen as a result of the use of forceps in the delivery of the baby.
  • Broken small blood vessels in the eyes (Subconjunctival hemorrhage) – A common injury, broken blood vessels usually do not result in severe eye injuries.
  • Fracture of the clavicle

What Causes Birth Trauma?

Birth trauma is often caused by physical force applied during labor and delivery. It puts immense pressure on the baby’s body and can result in disabilities.

Several factors lead to birth trauma, such as when the baby is too large or when the size of the mother’s birth canal is too small for the baby. It may also be due to dystocia or when the difficult labor, or when forceps are used to deliver the baby. Traumatic birth injuries can range from those that normally heal after childbirth to those that can lead to disabilities.

Preventing Birth Trauma

To prevent birth trauma, precautions must be exercised by mothers and by physicians as well. Mothers must exercise proper prenatal care, nutrition, and must consult with their respective doctors. In cases of high-risk pregnancies, doctors must exercise extra care to ensure a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery.

Mothers must be honest with their physicians and must maintain open communication at all times. Notify your doctor if you feel sick or when you feel that something is not right. There are different choices as to where you can give birth. Ask a health care provider for your options and discuss this with your doctor or midwife.

It is said that a third of preventable birth injuries are manageable through the right therapy.

Physicians must make the proper decision when a C-section is required. When a vaginal delivery is performed against the standard of care, it can be fatal to the infant. It can cause traumatic injuries, such as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, brain bleeds, and cerebral palsy.

A Birth Injury Lawyer Can Help You Get Compensation

When you find yourself confronting a birth injury case caused by the negligence of a doctor, nurse, midwife, or any medical worker, it is advisable to bring forth a birth injury lawsuit. We know that giving birth is a painful enough process to undergo. However, you should get the right compensation for the damage you and your family incurred due to malpractice. You must contact a team of experts who can help you build a strong case.

Our lawyers at The Clark Law Office have years of experience handling birth injury cases. Our expert lawyers can help you build a case backed by solid evidence.

Traumatic birth injuries have a long-term effect on you and your child, and you need all the compensation you deserve to address your child’s medical needs. For sound legal advice in Michigan, contact The Clark Law Office today.

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