Birth Injuries: The Basics

Birth injuries are the name given to injuries or other trauma that a baby experiences in the process of being born. Injuries that occur to babies during childbirth are in many instances the result of undue pressure being affecting the baby as it travels through the birth canal. The causes of birth injuries can be linked to various situations related to the process of childbirth, including:

• Inordinately long labor
• “Breech” delivery
• Premature birth
• Physician negligence, such as misuse of instruments like forceps
• Irregular size or shape of mother’s pelvis

Kinds of Birth Injuries

A good number of birth injuries, like edema, contusions, abrasions caused by medical instruments such as forceps, and bone breakage (usually caused by breech birth), are seldom determined as serious injuries, and most of these injuries heal within a matter of weeks. Some birth injuries, such as muscle or nerve malfunction, will often correct themselves after a few weeks or months. However, in situations nerve tissue has sustained damage, the child may have lasting complications as a result of  the trauma.

Individual states each follow different statutes of limitations as regards birth injury claims. If you are the parent of a child who has suffered a birth related injury, you should seek legal counsel. You will not be permitted to bring a lawsuit if the statute of limitations in your state has passed. Mueller Hillin specializes in birth injury cases in Philadelphia, Atlanta, Houston and Austin; if you believe you have the basis for this type of case, please contact us today.