Birth Injury Litigation Experts

Occasionally during the birth process, the baby may suffer a physical injury that is simply the result of being born. This is sometimes called birth trauma or birth injury.

What causes birth injury?

A difficult birth or injury to the baby can occur because of the baby’s size or the position of the baby during labor and delivery. Conditions that may be associated with a difficult birth include, but are not limited to, the following:

• large babies – birthweight over about 8 pounds, 13 ounces
• prematurity – babies born before 37 weeks (premature babies have more fragile bodies and may be more easily injured)
• cephalopelvic disproportion – the size and shape of the mother’s pelvis is not adequate for the baby to be born vaginally
• dystocia – difficult labor or childbirth
• prolonged labor
• abnormal birthing presentation – such as breech (buttocks first) delivery

What are some of the more common birth injuries?

The following are common birth injuries:

• caput succedaneum
• cephalohematoma
• bruising/forceps marks
• subconjunctival hemorrhage
• facial paralysis
• brachial palsy
• fractures

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.