Birth Injuries: Understanding Your Rights During Birth Injury Awareness Month

January marks Birth Injury Awareness Month, a time to shed light on the challenges faced by families affected by birth injuries and to emphasize the importance of accountability in medical care.

Bringing a new life into the world should be a joyous occasion, but when medical errors occur during pregnancy, labor, or delivery, the consequences can be life-altering for both the child and their family.

What Are Birth Injuries?

Birth injuries refer to physical harm or medical conditions that occur to a baby or mother during childbirth. While some complications are unavoidable, many birth injuries are preventable and result from medical negligence. Common examples include:

• Cerebral Palsy: Often caused by oxygen deprivation during delivery.
• Brachial Plexus Injuries: Damage to the nerves controlling arm and hand movement, frequently resulting from improper use of force during delivery.
• Fractures: Broken bones caused by excessive force or improper techniques.
• Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE): A brain injury resulting from a lack of oxygen to the baby’s brain.

Recognizing Signs of a Birth Injury

Birth injuries may not always be immediately apparent. Signs to watch for include:

• Developmental delays in movement or speech.
• Abnormal muscle tone or lack of reflexes.
• Difficulty feeding or persistent irritability in newborns.

Parents are often the first to notice these signs. If something feels off, trust your instincts and seek medical evaluation promptly.

Legal Rights for Families Affected by Birth Injuries

When a birth injury is caused by medical negligence, families have the right to seek justice and compensation. Medical professionals are held to high standards of care, and deviations from those standards can result in devastating consequences. Examples of negligence include:

• Failing to monitor for and/or recognize signs of fetal distress.
• Delaying necessary c-sections.
• Improper use of delivery tools like forceps or vacuum extractors.

How CHH Advocates for Families

At CHH, we understand the emotional and financial toll that birth injuries can take on families. Our experienced medical malpractice attorneys are dedicated to:

• Investigating the circumstances surrounding the injury.
• Identifying instances of medical negligence.
• Holding responsible parties accountable.
• Securing compensation to cover medical expenses, ongoing care, and emotional damages.

Take Action During Birth Injury Awareness Month

If your family has been impacted by a birth injury, you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Contact CHH today for a free consultation. We’re here to fight for the care, resources, and justice your family deserves.

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