What Are Common Signs of a Birth Injury?

Everyone hopes to have a healthy and uneventful labor and delivery. Unfortunately, for thousands of families, the negligence of medical professionals involved in the birth process results in preventable birth injuries that can have a profound effect on a newborn for the rest of his or her life. When this happens, the only recourse for the parents and child is to file a medical malpractice claim. This medical error claim can help the birth injury victims recover compensation for their losses.

Birth injuries can take a variety of forms and are often the result of medical negligence during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. The exact symptoms of a birth injury will depend on the type of injury suffered. For example, a neurological injury will present much differently than an injury caused by a non-diagnosed condition in the mother. Furthermore, while some birth injuries may be obvious immediately after birth, some may not present symptoms for months or even years.

Birth Injury Symptoms

Here are some of the most common signs of birth injuries that new parents (and pediatricians) should be on the lookout for:

• Not moving one arm as much as the other
• A weaker grip in one hand
• Impaired reflexes
• Facial paralysis or asymmetrical facial movements
• Stiffness and awkward movements
• Difficult walking
• Spasticity
• Seizures
• Developmental disabilities
• Issues with coordination or balance
• Failure to meet developmental milestones

What Causes Birth Injuries?

Sometimes birth injuries are unavoidable, but in many cases, they are the direct result of the negligence of a medical professional involved in the mother’s pregnancy or the labor and delivery process. Some of the more common causes of birth injuries include:

• Failure to diagnose a health condition in the mother
• Improper use of forceps or vacuum tubes
• Failure to monitor fetal vital signs
• Failure to order a timely cesarean section
• Failure to recognize and address fetal distress
• Dropping a newborn
• Failing to provide proper medical attention for newborns
• Failing to provide proper medical attention for mothers

What Should You Do if You Suspect Your Child Has Suffered a Birth Injury?

If you believe your child has suffered a birth injury, you should discuss your concerns with an experienced Ohio birth injury lawyer. A lawyer can review what happened and can help determine whether a medical professional or hospital should be held liable for medical malpractice. Proving birth injury malpractice can be a complex and challenging task, and both doctors and hospitals have malpractice insurance companies that are ready to fight against liability whenever they can. You need the right legal professional advocating for your rights and those of your child.

Call Us Today to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with an Ohio Birth Injury Attorney

If you believe your child has sustained a birth injury because of the negligence of a medical professional, you should call The Eisen Law Firm as soon as you can. We will review the facts of your case for free and will never charge you legal fees unless we win your case. To schedule a consultation with a birth injury lawyer in Ohio, contact us online or call 216-687-0900.