Earlier this week on our Joliet medical malpractice law blog, we started a general discussion about birth injuries and how some types of birth and brain injuries occur when doctors, hospitals and nurses commit medical malpractice.
The birth of a child is supposed to be joyful. But when medical professionals fail to provide quality care to a mother and her baby, the birthing experience could all too quickly turn into one of the worst experiences. This is because birth injuries are typically very serious and life-changing events for babies and their families.
How are babies and families affected by birth injuries?
When babies are deprived of oxygen or blood flow to the brain for an extended period of time, they could suffer severe and permanent injuries and disabilities. Cerebral palsy, for example, could affect a baby’s ability to move. Brain damage could lead to developmental delays or impaired cognitive functioning.
Some babies who are not properly treated for jaundice could suffer from hearing loss and vision problems. And doctors who are not careful when using forceps or a vacuum device when delivering a child could cause a child to be paralyzed.
In the long-term, some children who are affected by birth injuries will never be able to care for themselves as they get older. They will not be able to get a job or raise a family of their own. This also means that parents may need to make some unexpected changes in their lives and their plans for the future. For example, instead of saving to move after retirement, parents may need to save for long-term care for their child. One parent may even need to quit his or her job to care for their disabled child.
What is the next step when a child is injured at birth as a result of medical malpractice?
Most importantly, parents will need to learn how to properly care for their child after their baby suffers a birth injury. In order to do this effectively, parents will need all of the help they can get from other family members. Parents will also need financial resources so that they can afford the medical treatment and care their child will require.
To obtain the maximum amount in compensation a child and his or her parents may be entitled to after a birth injury, families may want to consider working with an attorney who is experienced with handling birth injury claims and medical malpractice lawsuits.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle, “Birth injuries from medical malpractice a serious issue according to Dr. Bruce Fagel,” Oct. 16, 2012
- Our firm has experience assisting Illinois families harmed by pregnancy-related medical malpractice and birth injuries. To learn more about our firm and practice, please visit our Will County birth injury page.
