Which Types of Birth Injuries Require Lifetime Care?

At Finz & Finz, P.C., our lawyers understand that birth injuries not only have physical and emotional consequences but also place a financial strain on the child’s family. When a serious birth injury is caused by the negligence of a health care professional, the family might be able to recover financial compensation for these losses through a birth injury claim.

Birth injuries are tragic for families that could be facing a lifetime of care for their child. While many birth injuries can be treated and the infant makes a full recovery, some birth injuries require extensive medical care for the remainder of the child’s life. This blog will discuss four birth injuries that may require lifetime care: Cerebral Palsy, brachial plexus, spinal cord injury, and facial paralysis.

The costs of a birth injury can be in the millions. After a permanent injury, parents need to think about how they will cover those expenses. This includes health care costs, life needs, home modifications, among other costs. If your child’s birth injury was caused by negligence or a medical mistake during pregnancy, labor, or after delivery, you may be able to file a malpractice claim. This may allow you to recover compensation, including medical bills, loss of earning capacity, and pain and suffering.

With over three decades of experience handling these types of claims, the New York birth injury lawyers at Finz & Finz, P.C. on Long Island can closely examine your situation and determine whether the physician took proper care during delivery. If your child was seriously injured at birth, the New York birth injury lawyers at Finz & Finz, P.C. may be able to file a birth injury claim against the doctor who delivered your child. Call 855-TOP-FIRM today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy is a condition caused by damage to the area in the child’s developing brain that controls motor skills. Cerebral Palsy is permanent and has no cure. However, with therapy, children may regain the ability to perform tasks.

If your child has Cerebral Palsy at birth, you probably won’t know right away. The first indications are typically delays in the developmental process. Signs to watch for include:

• Difficulty learning to sit, crawl, or walk
• Abnormal muscle tone
• Favoring one side of the body when moving
• Unusual posture

Cerebral Palsy is a complicated condition that can develop for a number of reasons. If you suspect that your child has Cerebral Palsy because of medical malpractice, it is critical that you speak with a birth injury attorney as soon as possible. A skilled lawyer will be able to evaluate your case and determine if you have a viable malpractice claim.

Brachial Plexus Birth Injury

If your baby is struggling or unable to move one of their hands or arms, it could be because of a brachial plexus birth injury. These injuries are often caused by medical malpractice. The brachial plexus is a bundle of nerves extending from the spinal cord that control neurological function in the shoulder, arm, and hand.

Depending on which nerves were impacted by the injury, Erb’s Palsy or Klumpke Palsy can develop. Erb’s Palsy generally affects movement and sensation in the upper or lower arm. Klumpke Palsy generally affects movement and sensation in the hands.

Some infants who sustain brachial plexus injuries will recover in a few months. Others may require surgery or extensive physical therapy. And some never fully recover.

Medical negligence on the part of a doctor could cause a brachial plexus injury. Common examples of negligence that could lead to brachial plexus injuries include:

• Pulling the baby’s arms or shoulders too hard
• Improper use of tools during delivery
• Failure to schedule a C-section when needed

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord damage that happens during or immediately following the birth can leave your newborn with lifelong medical care. If your baby sustained a birth injury that involved the spinal cord and was caused by medical malpractice, you might be eligible to hold the doctor accountable. To prove medical negligence and malpractice, you need to show the doctor failed to provide an acceptable standard of care.

Infant spinal cord injuries could be caused by:

• Blunt force trauma
• A medical issue affecting the spine that causes a bruise or tear
• Failure to diagnose spina bifida. This condition occurs when the vertebrae do not completely enclose the raw nerves of the spine

Facial Paralysis

Facial paralysis happens when the baby’s facial nerve is damaged, usually during delivery, causing a partial or total loss of function in the muscles of the face. In rare cases, facial can be permanent and. In many cases, facial paralysis is caused by birth trauma, especially when forceps are utilized to extract the baby from the birth canal. If the doctor fails to use reasonable care when delivering a baby with forceps and causes facial paralysis in the process, they may be held liable for medical malpractice. If your child suffered facial paralysis as a result of birth trauma, a birth injury lawyer can help you fight for justice and compensation for your child.

Contact a New York Birth Injury Lawyer

The costs of a birth injury can be overwhelming. If your child requires long-term care due to a birth injury caused by a doctor’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation to cover the long-term costs. The experienced and compassionate New York birth injury lawyers at Finz & Finz, P.C. can take the pressure off you during this extremely challenging time. We will fight to get you the full and fair compensation needed to cover past and future costs. By conducting an in-depth investigation into the treatment, you received before and during the birth of your child, we can determine liability and seek compensation from all negligent parties. Call Finz & Finz, P.C. today at 855-TOP-FIRM for a free initial consultation.