Birth Injury Lawyer in Utah
When a woman experiences complications during pregnancy, labor, and/or delivery, medical professionals must respond in a timely manner and provide a reasonable standard of care. Sadly, mistakes are sometimes made on behalf of medical care providers. When these mistakes are made during the pregnancy and birthing process, it can have a devastating effect on the baby. Birth injuries may result in short-term problems or permanent disability, both of which require costly medical treatment and other expenses. At Younker Hyde Macfarlane, PLLC, our medical malpractice attorneys in Utah represent birth injury victims and their parents; we can hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions and obtain damages to cover medical fees and any other costs associated with the birth injury.
Here we review the most common types of birth injuries:
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the brain while it is in its developmental stages. In some cases, the damage occurs before birth while the baby is still in the womb; in these cases, cerebral palsy may result from an infection in the mother or rH incompatibility between the mother and fetus. In other cases, the brain injury occurs during the delivery process; in these cases, cerebral palsy may be caused by head trauma or oxygen deprivation. Our cerebral palsy lawyer in Utah can determine if medical negligence played a role in the development of cerebral palsy.
Brachial Plexus Injury
The brachial plexus is a connection of nerves that are responsible for communication between the spine and the shoulders, arms, and hands. When these nerves are stretched or torn, it can result in hindered movement, weakness, paralysis, and pain. These injuries are common after a difficult delivery. Brachial plexus injuries may be caused by
- A breech delivery that exerts pressure on the baby’s arms
- Forcibly pulling on the baby’s shoulder during delivery
- Shoulder dystocia (a condition in which the baby’s head comes through but the shoulders get stuck in the birth canal)
The most common types of brachial plexus injuries include:
Erb’s Palsy
Erb’s palsy refers to upper brachial plexus injuries that affect the arms.
Klumke’s Palsy
Klumpke’s palsy refers to lower brachial plexus injuries that affect the hands.
Spina Bifida
Spina bifida refers to neural tube birth defects. The neural tube is present during the initial stage of pregnancy; it develops into the brain and spinal cord, along with the protective tissue that encloses these structures. In a normal and healthy pregnancy, the neural tube closes by the 28th day of conception. In those with spina bifida, the neural tube fails to develop or close in a normal manner, resulting in spinal cord and backbone defects. Spina bifida is believed to be caused by nutritional, environmental, and genetic factors. Studies have shown that a folic acid deficiency in the mother may play a role in the improper development and closing of the neural tube.
Brain Damage
Brain damage during the birthing process may occur in a number of ways, including
- Lack of oxygen
- Reduced blood flow to the brain
- Mishandling of the infant
- Umbilical cord problems
- Use of forceps
Wrongful Death
Sadly, birth injuries sometimes result in the death of the infant or mother. Wrongful death may be caused by lack of oxygen or blood flow, trauma, placenta previa, placental abruption, uterine rupture, bleeding, preeclampsia, and other factors.
Contact our birth injury lawyer in Utah for a case review of your medical malpractice case.