Queens Birth Injury Attorney
The birth of a child is supposed to be one of the most joyous events of any person’s life. However, some pregnancies can be difficult, and an infant might be negligently injured during birth.
Birth injury cases are challenging, not only because of the incredible trauma involved but because proving how an infant’s birth injuries were caused can be difficult. Fortunately, an experienced Queens birth injury attorney can help recover the compensation you and your child deserve. Birth injuries can occur at any point before, during, and after delivery. OB-GYN doctors are responsible for closely monitoring a mother and child for complications during pregnancy and planning for any foreseeable complications during delivery.
If your child suffered a birth injury, our Queens birth injury attorneys can help you determine how your child’s birth injuries were caused. Contact The Carrion Law Firm at (718) 841-0083 for a free case assessment.
Common Types of Birth Injuries that Happen in Queens, NY
As unfortunate as it is, there are many ways a baby can suffer a birth injury. Many types of birth injuries are serious and often require long-term medical treatment. The impact on the parents is also immense as what should be the most joyous day of their lives turns into one of the most traumatic. Our Queens birth injury attorneys can help recover the compensation you and your baby need for any of the following birth injuries:
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a common birth injury caused by healthcare professionals in Queens. Cerebral palsy can be negligently caused in several different ways. Many cases of cerebral palsy develop from a lack of oxygen during delivery. An untreated infection can also cause cerebral palsy in the child or mother.
Unfortunately, children who have cerebral palsy will have permanent disabilities. Cerebral palsy is characterized by a victim’s involuntary motions, floppy or rigid limbs, and exaggerated reflexes. Medical providers that negligently cause cerebral palsy in a child can be held liable for the resulting damages.
Brachial Plexus Injury
Brachial plexus injuries, also known as Erb’s palsy, are injuries to the nerves in a baby’s neck and upper shoulder. These injuries typically occur when a doctor mishandles a baby during delivery by placing too much pressure on the baby’s head, neck, and shoulders, causing damage to the brachial plexus nerves connected to the spinal cord. For instance, if a doctor uses too much force to move a baby stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone, severe damage can be caused to the brachial plexus nerves.
Broken Bones
Fractures are another common birth injury that babies can suffer during delivery. Many fractures occur when OB-GYN doctors negligently use their birthing equipment, like vacuum machines and forceps. Broken bones are also commonly caused during difficult deliveries, such as when a child is feet-first in the birth canal or during a breech birth. Broken bones can seriously threaten a newborn’s life and could have a life-long impact on the injured baby.
Spinal Cord Injuries
It is not uncommon for OB-GYN providers to make a mistake during delivery that damages an infant’s spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries can occur if an OB-GYN doctor uses too much force during delivery or fails to react in time when a baby is improperly positioned in the womb. Infants are fragile, and a careless medical professional can easily injure their spinal cords.
Asphyxia
Asphyxia is responsible for many babies’ birth injuries. Asphyxia occurs when a child is deprived of oxygen for an extended period. Medical providers can cause Asphyxia if they unnecessarily delay delivery or fail to provide adequate oxygen to the child after delivery. Many victims will have permanent brain damage that can result in severe mental and physical disabilities. The impact on the child and parent’s lives cannot be understated. If a healthcare provider injured your child because they deprived them of oxygen for too long, our Queens birth injury attorneys can help you hold the negligent medical professional liable.
Common Examples of How Queens, NY Birth Injuries Occur
While they are an immense cause for happiness, pregnancies and deliveries are some of the most challenging events in a person’s life. As such, there are many important steps from prenatal care to post-delivery treatment. Unfortunately, medical providers can negligently cause birth injuries in numerous ways.
OB-GYN doctors and other medical providers are responsible for providing care to the mother and child before, during, and after birth. The following are common situations that can cause birth injuries in Queens:
- Inadequate monitoring of the fetus’ condition before birth
- Failure to plan for high-risk deliveries
- Inadequate testing for potential defects before birth
- Improper administration of drugs to the mother during labor, like anesthesia and epidurals
- Improper use of forceps and vacuum instruments during delivery
- Errors in electing to perform a cesarean section (C-section)
It can be difficult to prove exactly how an infant or mother’s birth injuries are caused and who was at fault. However, our Queens birth injury attorneys can review your case to help you determine the negligent parties and how they caused your child’s injuries.
Determining Liability for a Birth Injury in Queens, NY
Determining liability after a child suffers a birth injury can be challenging. In many cases, the OB-GYN doctor responsible for the infant and mother’s care will be liable for negligently causing harm. However, the hospital or doctor’s office that employs a negligent OB-GYN provider could also be held accountable for the injuries that their employees cause.
Other healthcare providers are involved in delivering a child than doctors who could be responsible for an infant’s injuries. Nurses and other specialists involved in a child’s birth have their responsibilities during delivery. They should be held liable for their carelessness if they fail to perform their duties adequately and injure an infant or mother. Our Queens birth injury attorneys can help you determine who the negligent parties are in your case.
Our Queens, NY Birth Injury Attorneys Can Help
If your child was negligently injured during birth, our Queens birth injury attorneys can help you get justice for the medical professionals responsible. For a free case review, call The Carrion Law Firm at (718) 841-0083.