Chattanooga Birth Injury Lawyers
Having a baby is an exciting and happy event. However, such a wonderful event can become one of grief and suffering, possibly for years to come. Just like parents, healthcare professionals have a responsibility to help ensure the birth of a healthy baby. Unfortunately, many children suffer from birth injuries that may affect them and their parents, financially and emotionally, for the rest of their lives.
Causes of Birth Injuries
A birth injury is generally defined as trauma suffered by a baby during birth and is commonly caused by medical malpractice. This trauma can manifest in physical injuries or mental and functional injuries and can be caused by an infection during pregnancy, use or prescription of inappropriate medications, untimely delivery, or inappropriate or forceful use of equipment, such as forceps, during delivery.
Types of Birth Injuries
There are various types of birth injuries and genetic disorders, but some of the most common include:
- Forcep bruising;
- Cephalohematoma;
- Shoulder dystocia;
- Facial paralysis;
- Umbilical cord entrapment;
- Spina bifida;
- Bell's palsy;
- Hyperbiliruibinemia;
- Cystic fibrosis;
- Klumpke's palsy; and
- Brain damage.
Though many birth injuries are the result of medical negligence, doctor oversight, or malpractice during the birth process, some manifest during pregnancy due to poor pre-natal care or even genetic programming. In the case of birth injuries during pregnancy, it is the healthcare professional's responsibility to properly screen and diagnose the medical condition so that it can be prevented if possible, appropriately treated, and so that parents can plan ahead for the well-being of their baby. Failure to diagnose a birth injury during pregnancy may constitute malpractice and the attending physician and/or the hospital or practice group for which the doctor works could be held liable as well.
Long-term Effects of a Birth Injury
Newborn babies are very sensitive and vulnerable to any type of trauma or other adverse influence that may occur while they are being born. What would cause a simple bruise that heals in two days for an adult, could cause irreparable damage to a newborn. The effects of a birth injury are not limited to the early years of a child's life, but may follow them throughout their adulthood, creating severe emotional and financial burdens for a family. Living with a birth injury is arduous and incurs substantial medical costs due to doctor's visits, surgeries, medications, rehabilitative services such as physical therapy, and other necessary medical treatments. Birth injuries can also affect the mother's physical and emotional health and well-being.
When your Child's Birth Injury Could Have Been Prevented
The law dictates that healthcare professionals perform their duties attentively, skillfully, and according to the appropriate and highest standard of care. This is especially important for expecting mothers. If a healthcare professional does not do their lawful duty to diagnose and prevent a birth injury during pre-natal care, or their actions or inaction during delivery causes a birth injury, then that healthcare professional and/or the hospital that employs them may be held accountable for the damages resulting from the injury.
The experienced Tennessee birth injury lawyers of Massey & Associates, PC, believe that deciding to have a child is one of the most important decisions a couple can make, and so believe that the care of an expecting mother and unborn or newborn child should also be of great importance for healthcare professionals. If you believe your child has suffered a birth injury due to negligence, oversight, or malpractice on the part of a physician or healthcare institution, we can help you. Our dedicated birth injury attorneys will investigate the details of your pregnancy and delivery to advise you of your legal options. Contact us today at (423) 697-4529 to learn more about how we can help you and your child.
