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No parent should ever have to worry that the doctor in charge of their pregnancy may commit some action that could lead to their newborn child being injured. Unfortunately, some doctors may act negligently, which could result in a child suffering a severe injury that could impact them in several ways. If your child was injured due to medical malpractice, you should consult with an experienced Houston birth injury attorney today.
The Queenan Law Firm, P.C. understands how a serious birth injury could affect the life of your child, and your family lives, and we are here for you in your time of need. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your claim, contact the Queenan Law Firm, P.C. at (817) 476-1797, or contact us online.
Common Birth Injuries that Occur Due to Medical Malpractice
A birth injury is an injury that a newborn may suffer during delivery often due to medical malpractice on behalf of a doctor. If a newborn suffers a birth injury, it could lead to other long-term or even permanent health complications. The following is a list of common birth injuries that could affect a newborn.
Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia often occurs after the head of an infant has been delivered. Once the head has exited the birth canal, the shoulder of the infant could become caught between the mother’s pubic bone, which may prevent the child from exiting the womb.
If a doctor does not exercise caution when trying to deliver a baby experiencing shoulder dystocia, the child could suffer an injury to their back or could suffer a brachial plexus injury. The brachial plexus is responsible for movement in the arms and hands, and serious damage to this network of nerves could lead to loss of sensation or movement.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) typically happen when a newborn child has suffered considerable trauma to their head, which can occur under a number of circumstances. For example, if a doctor is having difficulty with the delivery of a child, they may employ the use of birth-assisting instruments to help pull the child from the womb.
Forceps and vacuum extractors are two types of birth-assisting instruments that a doctor may utilize to deliver an infant. These tools are designed to attach to the head of a child, making it easier to guide them through the birth canal. However, some doctors may use excessive force when using forceps or vacuum extractors. As a result, they could exert enough force on the head of an infant to cause a TBI.
Birth Asphyxia
Birth asphyxia is when a child is temporarily deprived of oxygen and nutrients needed for the brain to operate and grow. An entangled umbilical cord is often the cause of a child experiencing birth asphyxia. The umbilical cord may wrap tightly around the child’s neck during delivery, and they could emerge from the birth canal with brain damage or other dangerous medical conditions due to loss of oxygen. If a doctor fails to act to prevent birth asphyxia, he could become liable for injuries to a child.
There are numerous other types of birth injuries that may occur due to medical malpractice. To learn more about the damages available for a birth injury lawsuit, you should continue reading and speak with an experienced Houston medical malpractice lawyer today.
Damages Available for a Birth Injury Lawsuit in Houston, TX
If your child was a victim of medical negligence and suffered a birth injury in Houston, you should not delay in filing a birth injury lawsuit against the party responsible. Severe birth injuries may leave a child with extensive health issues that frequently require medical attention. As a result, parents will have to contend with expensive medical bills and various other issues due to the negligence of a medical practitioner.
Fortunately, there are a number of damages available if a plaintiff prevails in a birth injury lawsuit. For example, medical expenses paid to treat the birth injury can be awarded by a court. Other damages available in a birth injury lawsuit include:
- Cost of medical equipment needed for rehabilitation
- Future expenses related to the injury
- Physical therapy
- Pain and suffering
- Compensation for wrongful death if the child passed away due to a birth injury
This is not an exhaustive list. There are other damages that may be awarded depending on the circumstances of your claim.
Contact Our Experienced Houston Birth Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Claim
If your child suffered a birth injury due to the negligence of a medical practitioner, you should contact an experienced Houston birth injury lawyer today. The injury lawyers at the Queenan Law Firm, P.C. possess extensive experience litigating a variety of complex medical malpractice claims, and we are dedicated to providing you with the legal representation that you deserve. To schedule a free case evaluation to discuss your legal situation, contact the Queenan Law Firm, P.C. at (817) 476-1797.