The birth of a child is one of the most joyous occasions a person may ever experience. Parents grow extremely fond of their child even before birth, and would never want to see a single hair on his or her head come to harm. However, the risk of serious birth injuries is real, especially when doctors and nurses fail to provide appropriate care.
If the negligence of a doctor, nurse or other medical professional caused your child to suffer a birth injury, you may be wondering about legal options for holding the responsible parties accountable — and for obtaining compensation for costs resulting from the negligence.
Common causes of birth injuries
Signs of a birth injury could appear immediately in some cases, while others may take time to manifest. Numerous types of serious injuries that can occur at birth, some of which could cause your child to suffer long-term or permanent damage. These are some of the more common causes of birth injuries:
- Oxygen deprivation: There are several circumstances that can cause a baby to experience oxygen deprivation, each of which can lead to severe damage, especially to the brain.
- Excessive force: The excessive use of force during delivery can cause extensive nerve damage that could unfortunately last a lifetime.
- Shoulder dystocia: In some cases, a baby’s shoulder becomes stuck under the mother’s pelvic bone during delivery, and this can cause severe nerve damage, as well as broken bones and other injuries.
Many of these injuries are entirely preventable, and parents whose children have been harmed during birth may have grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Important: If your child has been harmed due to medical negligence, a representative of the doctor or hospital may offer you an early settlement, but you might find it beneficial to hold off on accepting such an offer until you fully understand what is at stake.
Available legal options
Severe injuries at birth can result in medical conditions that last a lifetime. You might be wondering how to pursue financial compensation for your child’s injuries, and since the process can be complex, it is a good idea to seek guidance from someone with knowledge and experience in Texas medical malpractice laws.
A medical malpractice lawyer can assist you and represent you during what can be a daunting legal process. An attorney can thoroughly examine the incident, along with your child’s injuries and current and future financial needs, and assist you in pursuing the full amount of compensation you and your newborn child deserve.