Common Causes Of Birth Injuries

• Delayed Cesarean Section - When the necessity of cesarean section delivery is overlooked or disregarded by the medical team, the results can be permanent damage to an otherwise healthy child. Delay of this procedure can leave a newborn scarred for life.
  
  
• Infections - Childbirth leaves the mother and child vulnerable to infections from outside sources. A newborn must be handled with great care and medical personnel must guard mom and baby against infections.
  
  
• Anoxia - A lack of oxygen to the brain can lead to a number of birth injuries. The supply of oxygen to brain must be closely watched by medical professionals during labor. Any delay of necessary actions once the oxygen level is dangerously low can be disastrous.
  
  
• Shoulder dystocia - Trouble delivering the baby's shoulder puts added pressure on the child and may require the use of forceps or vacuum extraction during delivery.
  
  
• Umbilical Cord Entrapment - If the umbilical cord become tangled with the baby, the opportunity for anoxia is high and must be closely monitored. Negligent physicians and nurses can leave a baby deprived of oxygen, and brain injuries can occur.
  
  
• Cephalopelvic Disproportion - The size of the baby's head and shoulders is larger than adequate for vaginal birth. It is vital for this to be determined before delivery.
  
  
• Forceps or Vacuum Extraction - When used hastily or improperly, forceps and vacuum extractions can cause bruising, swelling and bleeding. The scars may be temporary, but in some cases, the damage caused by these instruments at birth can leave lasting injuries to the child.
  
  
• Care During Pregnancy - Pre-natal care is essential for a healthy baby as well as a healthy mother. The level of care given to a pregnant woman has a great impact on the success of the delivery and the overall wellbeing of the newborn. Negligent doctors can be held liable for improper care given during pregnancy.
  
  
• Quality of Care at Birth - With the proper medical facilities and personnel, a newborn is perfectly safe to enter the world. But in situations of inadequate medical amenities and unprepared or negligent physicians and nurses, both the life of the baby and the mother are in jeopardy.
  
  
• Large babies - If the baby is too large to pass through the birth canal easily, the pressure exerted on the child can preventing the intake of oxygen. In these cases, the medical team must use careful and immediate judgment to prevent permanent damage.
  
  
• Premature Babies - Babies that are born before 37 weeks gestation are more fragile and need to be more carefully guarded against birth injuries.
  
  
• Long Labor - Prolonged labor places greater stress on the both the mother and child and proper medical supervision is needed to prevent any injuries from occurring

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420 Lexington Avenue
Suite 2750
New York, NY 10170

Telephone: 212-986-7353
Fax: 212-953-4308
E-mail: wrs@wrslaw.com