Compensation for birth injuries caused by medical negligence

February 06, 2013 (Press-News.org) Giving birth is inherently a difficult process, and there are many things that can go wrong. Sometimes, babies are born with life-altering conditions that came about through no fault of health care providers. But, when a doctor, nurse or another caregiver caused a birth injury, parents should consult an attorney in order to help secure compensation.

Yet, it can be extremely difficult for new parents to recognize when the negligence of hospital staff has led to a birth injury. For that reason, it can be helpful for new parents to learn about some of the most common birth injuries that are caused by physician negligence.

Brain damage, broken bones, cerebral palsy all common birth injuries

There are many ways medical negligence can cause a birth injury. Perhaps caregivers failed to recognize or respond to fetal distress, improperly used labor-inducing drugs, neglected to perform a timely C-section or used too much force to extract the baby.

Whatever the cause of a birth injury, the consequences can be devastating. The most common long-term birth injuries include:

- Brain damage

- Bone fractures

- Cerebral palsy

- Erb's palsy (a condition characterized by weakness or paralysis of the arm)

- Facial paralysis

In the worst case scenarios, a medical error can even result in stillbirth.

According to the latest National Healthcare Quality Report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in American hospitals approximately 6.68 birth injuries occur per 1,000 live births. In one of the wealthiest countries in the world, this is still far too many, considering that many of these injuries could have been prevented.

Costs of raising a child affected by a birth injury can be recouped from negligent doctors

The costs of raising a child suffering from the long-term effects of a birth injury can be substantial. Ongoing treatment, necessary medical devices, added educational costs for children afflicted with brain damage; new parents can find themselves struggling with all of these costs and more.

However, if your child was injured due to the negligence of a health care provider, you may be entitled to compensation that can help you meet the challenges of raising a child who suffered a birth injury. Healthcare providers -- or, in many instances, their malpractice insurers -- can be held financially accountable for the damages that resulted from their errors.

If you suspect that your child was the victim of medical malpractice, you owe it to your family to pursue the compensation that could help ease the burden created by a birth injury. Talk to an experienced birth injury attorney to learn more about birth injuries and your potential legal remedies.

Article provided by Norton & Norton
Visit us at www.nnlawkc.com