Causes of Birth Injuries

Malpractice That Causes Childbirth Trauma

Regardless of what the cause may be, birth injuries are detrimental to both infants and the families of the infants. Sadly, most of these injuries result in a lifetime of medical expenses, physical disabilities, emotional distresses, and more. That is why our Houston birth injury lawyers at Hampton & King fight for the rights of those affected by the negligence of medical staff.

At our firm, we handle all types of birth injury and medical malpractice cases – from cesarean section mistakes to cerebral palsy. If you experienced complications during labor or delivery that were improperly handled and resulted in serious or permanent injury, you may have a birth injury case.

Call us today, and let us put our experience and knowledge to work for you! We are ready to stand by your side.

Infection-Related Birth Injuries

Some birth injuries are the result of infections that were either not detected or not properly treated. These infections could affect the mother and the baby. One of the most severe is Group B streptococcus or “GBS.” This life-threatening infection needs to be detected and treated quickly, or it can progress into:

• Brain swelling
• Shock
• Permanent brain damage
• Loss of vision
• Death

Other types of infections that are dangerous if not treated properly are listeriosis, listeria, and Hepatitis B.

Trauma-Related Birth Injuries

Other birth injuries are the direct result of trauma. Trauma can occur during labor and delivery a few different ways, such as:

• Baby remaining too long in the birth canal
• The use of forceps or vacuum machine
• Excessive pulling on the baby’s arm, shoulders, or legs

Trauma to the head is particularly dangerous, as this can cause lifelong brain damage, which can cause conditions such as cerebral palsy.

Hypoxia/Anoxia Birth Injuries

Another large group of birth injuries results from lack of or diminished oxygen to the brain. This can happen in a few different scenarios:

• Baby remaining too long in the birth canal (asphyxia)
• Umbilical cord entrapment
• Placental abruption
• Maternal anemia

Failed Standard of Care

In most birth injury cases, the standard of care, which all medical professionals are held to, is often neglected or overlooked. How is the standard of care identified? If, given the same set of circumstances, another doctor could have avoided a birth injury, then it may be possible that the doctor in question failed to perform the standard of care, and is thus responsible for the birth injury. These cases are complex and best evaluated by skilled professionals.

If your child was injured during pregnancy, labor, or delivery, call our Houston birth injury lawyers. Hampton & King remains one of the only law firms who employs full-time medical professionals on staff.