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Birth Injury

What are the most common types of lifelong birth injuries?

April 30, 2020

The birth process can lead to some of our greatest human joy, but can also end in tragedy. During the labor and delivery the baby is susceptible to injuries that can cause lifelong problems.

Many of these can be avoided by proper nursing and physician monitoring and care during the labor and delivery process. It is these that are avoidable that lead to medical malpractice litigation.

The most common errors occurring during labor and delivery

Errors during labor and delivery that can lead to permanent birth injuries resulting in damage to a baby’s brain and other organs resulting in serious developmental and other problems can include:

  • Failure to perform a timely C-section
  • Failure to perform an appropriate forceps or vacuum delivery, including either improper technique or timing
  • Errors in inducing labor, including the timing of induction or inappropriate use of a drug Pitocin, which can interfere with the blood-flow and oxygen to the baby

Any time a child is born blue, floppy or not breathing, an investigation should be done by experienced birth injury attorneys.

The most common lifelong birth injuries

Many birth injuries can be resolved easily or will heal on their own. Some, however, will require intervention and may cause problems for the rest of a person’s life. It is important to recognize birth injuries and seek advice about the best way to handle them.

The most common lifelong birth injuries include:

  • Cerebral palsy: This is the most common lifelong birth injury and is linked to brain damage during and after the birthing process. Children with cerebral palsy will have difficulty with physical movements and motor functioning, and may have impaired cognitive functioning. They may also suffer some visual, auditory, and speech-related difficulties.
  • Seizures and epilepsy: Both of these are neurological disorders that affect the central nervous system and cause uncontrollable movements and brain activity. Seizures may be permanent in some children who have experienced complications during delivery.
  • Spinal cord injuries: Spinal cord injuries can permanently affect a child’s ability to walk and perform certain physical functions.

When your child has sustained a preventable birth injury, your child and your family deserve justice. The legal team at Jeffrey M. Goldberg Law Offices have more than 45 years of experience helping families pursue justice. We serve clients from our offices in Chicago and Milwaukee, representing people throughout Illinois, Wisconsin and the rest of the Midwest. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

About The Author

Photo of Jeffrey  Goldberg
Attorney Jeffrey M. Goldberg has spent his entire professional career handling cases involving birth injury, medical malpractice, product liability and related accidents.