Medical Malpractice Lawyers

Ask a Cleveland Attorney: The Most Common Identifying Signs of Birth Injury

Birth injuries can occur during pregnancy, labor and delivery, though most occur during the birthing process. Some are simply natural birth defects caused by a missing chromosome, for example, while others are the direct result of medical malpractice. It’s important to identify a birth injury as early as possible, most importantly for the health and welfare of the child, but also to gather the freshest evidence in order to build the strongest case possible. Here are some of the most common signs of birth injury. If any of these apply, consult a doctor as well a professional birth injury attorney in Cleveland.

• Cerebral palsy is one of the most common types of birth injury. Symptoms vary, and many are not evident until well into a child’s development. Signs can be delayed milestones, such as rolling over or being able to hold the head up. Other signs include abnormal movements, swallowing problems, or difficulty in speech development. Cerebral palsy is not always a result of negligence, but many times it is, particularly in the instance of a delayed or faulty C-section that causes oxygen deprivation. Though it can be difficult to detect early on, it’s best to get a diagnosis as soon as possible. If you have any concerns, have your child tested by a doctor and consult a legal advocate specializing in birth injury.
• Other common birth injuries include a fractured collar bone, shoulder dystocia/brachial plexus/Erb’s Palsy, which is typically evident in a fractured or dislocated arm. Arms may appear floppy with a lack of muscle tone.
• CPR or resuscitation during a birth can be another strong indication of birth injury.
• If your child develops seizures during the first 48 hours of his or her life, this can also be evidence of birth injury that may have resulted from malpractice.

Of course, only a physician can ultimately determine if a birth injury has occurred. Naturally, have your child checked by a doctor outside of the medical network where you gave birth to avoid a conflict of interest. Then consult a lawyer specializing in birth injury cases to establish if you have a case that should be persued.