Birth injuries are usually caused by issues that went wrong during child-delivery. Birth defects typically occur prior to a baby’s birth or before the pregnancy. For every 1,000 babies born in the United States, five will be injured during birth. Interestingly, 7% of all babies are born with a minor or severe birth defect. Birth injuries are often the result of a doctor’s failure to adequately assess or respond to complications during a woman’s pregnancy or delivery. Prescription drugs taken during pregnancy can also harm the baby and result in both birth injuries and defects.
Common birth injuries include:
- Cerebral palsy
- Erb’s palsy
- Shoulder Dystocia
- Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy
Common birth defects include:
- Heart defects
- Cleft palate
- Abnormal limbs
Legally speaking, a doctor accepts a “duty of care” when they take you on as their patient. This means they’re required to treat you in accordance with the accepted standard of care used by the medical community. Failure to meet this standard is a breach of duty, meaning a doctor can be held liable for any damage they cause.
A birth injury or birth defect often involves extensive medical treatment and specialized care. Our attorneys have experience handling these types of cases. We can formulate a legal strategy that fits your unique situation. At Fieger Law, we understand the kinds of problems that occur both inside and outside of delivery rooms. We can thoroughly review your case and determine your legal options to try to obtain the best results possible. Let us help you seek compensation.