The labor and delivery process isn’t easy on the woman or the baby. There are times when one or both of them might suffer an injury. Some injuries are considered part and parcel of the process but others are the result of medical malpractice. You likely don’t have to do anything about the former; however, seeking compensation is possible with the latter.
Unfortunately, one of the most common birth injuries is a head injury. This can be as minor as scratches on the scalp and head molding to fractures of the skull and bleeding on the brain. The cause of the brain injury is what will dictate what you can do about the situation.
Nerve injuries can occur during the delivery process. Sometimes, these are due to the way that that birth attendant has to maneuver the baby as he or she is delivered. Shoulder dystocia, for example, can lead to brachial plexus. This is a condition that can lead to an inability of the infant to use their arm. While most heal, some have lasting impacts.
Facial nerves issues and spinal cord damage may occur in some deliveries. An injury to the facial nerve can be caused by the way the baby was positioned prior to delivery. Spinal cord damage is a bit more serious. One way that it might happen during delivery is if the doctor pulls the baby to get him or her out of the birth canal and overstretches the spinal cord. These injuries are usually permanent.
Broken bones are possible. These usually heal. Just as the cause of the head injury determines whether compensation is possible, so are broken bones.
There is also a risk the baby is not getting enough oxygen. This can lead to brain damage that causes global delays in brain function. Asphyxia, or lack of oxygen, can have permanent impacts on brain function.
