A birth injury refers to any harm or damage sustained by a baby during the labor and delivery process. These injuries can occur for a variety of reasons, ranging from natural complications to preventable errors made by medical professionals. While some birth injuries are minor and resolve quickly, others can result in lifelong physical, emotional, and financial challenges for the child and their family.
Our birth injury lawyers in Houston proudly serve victims and families in Galveston County and surrounding areas across Texas, providing dedicated legal support to those seeking justice and compensation for preventable medical errors.
If you’ve been impacted by birth injuries in Santa Fe, Hampton & King may be able to help. Call us today at (713) 658-0231 or fill out our simple online form to schedule your free consultation.
Common Types of Birth Injuries
Santa Fe Cerebral Palsy attorneys can help families by investigating whether medical negligence contributed to the condition and fighting for compensation to cover medical care, therapy, and long-term support.
Birth injuries can vary widely in severity and type. Some of the most common include:
- Cerebral Palsy: The CDC describes this as a neurological condition caused by brain damage due to oxygen deprivation or trauma during birth. It can affect movement, coordination, and cognitive abilities.
- Brachial Plexus Injuries (Erb’s Palsy): Damage to the network of nerves controlling the arm and hand, often caused by excessive pulling during delivery.
- Facial Paralysis: Nerve damage in the face caused by improper use of delivery tools, such as forceps.
- Fractures: Broken bones, particularly of the clavicle, often resulting from difficult deliveries or improper techniques.
- Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE): Brain damage caused by insufficient oxygen supply to the brain during delivery.
- Perinatal Asphyxia: Lack of oxygen to the baby’s body and brain during labor, which can cause serious complications or death according to the National Library of Medicine.
- Caput Succedaneum: Swelling of the scalp caused by prolonged pressure during delivery, typically resolving on its own.
- Cephalohematoma: Bleeding under the baby’s scalp, which can sometimes lead to further complications such as jaundice.
- Intracranial Hemorrhage: Bleeding in the brain due to trauma or complications during delivery.
A Santa Fe HIE Attorney can guide victims through the legal process by gathering medical evidence, consulting with experts, and pursuing justice to ensure families receive the financial resources needed for their child’s ongoing care and well-being.
Causes of Birth Injuries in Santa Fe
Birth injuries can result from a variety of factors, many of which are preventable when healthcare professionals adhere to the appropriate standard of care. Physicians and medical staff must respond promptly and effectively to high-risk pregnancies and complications during labor and delivery. When they fail to do so, it can lead to devastating outcomes for both mother and child, including permanent injury, disability, or even death.
Medical Errors Leading to Birth Injuries
- Infections: Failure to detect and treat infections in the mother or baby during pregnancy or delivery can result in severe complications, including brain damage or sepsis.
- Trauma: Mishandling of delivery instruments such as forceps or vacuum extractors can cause physical trauma, including fractures, nerve damage, or brain injuries.
- C-Section Mistakes: Delayed or improperly performed cesarean sections can jeopardize the health of both mother and baby, leading to conditions such as oxygen deprivation or excessive bleeding.
- Fetal Heart Monitoring Errors: Neglecting to monitor or respond to signs of fetal distress can result in hypoxic or anoxic brain injuries, which may cause permanent disabilities.
- Hypoxic or Anoxic Brain Injury: Insufficient oxygen supply to the baby’s brain during delivery can lead to conditions such as cerebral palsy, developmental delays, or other neurological issues.
- Improper Newborn Intubation: Inadequate care during newborn intubation can lead to breathing complications or damage to the airway.
- Improper Resuscitation: Errors during the resuscitation process can result in severe, long-term health problems or death.
- Labor and Delivery Errors: General negligence or mismanagement during labor and delivery can cause physical or neurological damage to the infant or mother.
- Mismanagement of Group B Strep: Failure to screen and treat Group B Streptococcus infections in the mother can expose the baby to life-threatening conditions such as meningitis or pneumonia.
- Pitocin Mistakes: Incorrect administration of Pitocin (a drug used to induce or augment labor) can lead to overly strong contractions, which may harm the baby or cause uterine rupture.
Mishandled Pregnancy Complications
Certain pregnancies are identified as high-risk from the outset, while other complications emerge unexpectedly during labor or delivery. If these situations are not managed appropriately, they can lead to severe injuries or conditions that may affect the mother and child for a lifetime. Commonly mishandled pregnancy complications include:
- Cephalopelvic Disproportion (CPD): The American Pregnancy Association claims that CPD occurs when the baby is too large to pass through the mother’s pelvis, failure to identify and address this issue can result in traumatic injuries during delivery.
- Fetal Distress and Oxygen Deprivation: Inadequate monitoring or response to signs of fetal distress, such as irregular heart rate or oxygen deprivation, can lead to severe brain injuries.
- Gestational Diabetes: Poor management of gestational diabetes can cause complications such as macrosomia (large baby) or hypoglycemia in the newborn.
- Large Fetus: A large fetus can increase the risk of difficult labor, shoulder dystocia, or birth injuries if not appropriately managed.
- Perinatal Asphyxia: A lack of oxygen during the perinatal period can cause permanent brain damage, organ failure, or death if not promptly addressed.
- Perinatal Hypoxia: Prolonged oxygen deprivation during labor and delivery can lead to long-term neurological issues, including cerebral palsy.
- Postpartum Hemorrhage: Failure to control excessive bleeding after childbirth can result in life-threatening conditions for the mother.
- Preeclampsia / HELLP Syndrome: Delayed diagnosis or improper treatment of preeclampsia or HELLP syndrome (a severe form of preeclampsia) can endanger both the mother and baby.
- Prolapsed Umbilical Cord: When the umbilical cord drops into the birth canal ahead of the baby, it can obstruct oxygen supply. Immediate intervention is crucial to prevent serious harm.
- Umbilical Cord Entrapment: If the cord becomes wrapped around the baby’s neck or body, it can restrict oxygen and blood flow, leading to injuries or fatalities if not addressed promptly.
- Uterine Rupture: A rupture of the uterine wall is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention to prevent harm to the mother and baby.
Who Can Be Sued for Birth Injuries?
If you’ve experienced birth injuries due to medical negligence or malpractice, various people could be liable.
- Doctors, Obstetricians, and Nurses: For failing to meet the standard of care, misdiagnosing conditions, delaying interventions, or mishandling monitoring and equipment.
- Hospitals: For institutional negligence, such as inadequate staffing, poor training, unsafe facilities, or employee errors.
- Anesthesiologists: For improper anesthesia administration or failure to monitor vital signs during labor.
- Pharmaceutical and Equipment Manufacturers: For defective drugs, medical devices, or faulty equipment contributing to injuries.
- Midwives and Doulas: For negligent actions during home or hospital births.
For guidance on seeking justice and holding the responsible parties accountable, contact Hampton & King today.
Need Legal Help? Contact Our Santa Fe Birth Injury Lawyers
If your child suffered a birth injury due to medical negligence, you may have the right to pursue compensation. At Hampton & King, our Houston medical malpractice legal team is experienced in helping families navigate these complex cases. Contact us today at (713) 658-0231 or complete our simple online form to schedule your free consultation. Let us help you seek the justice and support your family deserves.