Welcoming a baby into the world is one of the best moments of a parent’s life. When the baby is injured during birth, however, it can cause heartbreak and confusion for the parents about what to do next.
Common injuries
There are several injuries that may occur during a baby’s birth. These include bone and joint injuries, nerve damage and paralysis. Although some injuries heal quickly, some cause long-term difficulties for the baby.
Clavicle, also called collarbone, fractures are one of the most common birth injuries. It occurs when the collarbone, which connects the chest to the shoulder, is misaligned during the birth. Even though the injury may heal fairly quickly, initially it may still require a longer hospital stay for the baby.
Another serious birth injury is called Erb’s palsy. It is a nerve injury that occurs when the baby’s head goes in one direction and his or her arm goes in the opposite direction. This can result in weakness in the baby’s arms and may require surgery. If nerve damage leads to paralysis, it can affect the child for the rest of his or her life.
Femur fractures can occur when the baby’s leg is misaligned during delivery. It can cause the baby to suffer from significant pain and may require the baby to wear a harness for a period of time in order to heal.
Filing a claim
If parents believe that any of these injuries or others were caused by a medical mistake, an experienced attorney can pursue a claim for compensation on their behalf.