Baltimore Birth Injury Lawyers

Medical Malpractice And Baltimore Birth Injuries

Mothers trust various healthcare providers to take care of them and their children throughout pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Amongst these providers are actual hospital facilities, obstetricians-gynecologists (OB-GYNs), physicians, surgeons, and nurses. Any single provider – or group of providers – may be held liable for birth injuries caused by his or her negligence. For each of these providers, there is a reasonably accepted standard of care. When a birth injury results from a healthcare provider’s failure to meet that standard of care, an injured child’s parents are entitled to compensation.

What is a Birth Injury?

A birth injury is characterized as an injury that happens to a baby as a result of the physical pressures during the birthing process or due to negligence by a physician and/or medical staff that was present during the delivery. Most birth injuries occur as the baby moves through the birthing canal; however, this is not the only cause of birth injuries. Some injuries are minor and will resolve themselves with little to no intervention from a doctor. Other birth injuries are more severe and can put the baby’s health at risk. If you or your child have suffered an injury during the birthing process, contact the top Baltimore birth injury lawyers at Hyatt & Goldbloom.

Common Birth Injuries Resulting From Medical Malpractice In Baltimore

As a whole, any type of birth injury caused by the negligence of a healthcare provider can be the basis for a medical malpractice lawsuit. However, certain types of birth injuries tend to occur more frequently than others. Here are some of the most common birth injuries a Baltimore birth injury lawyer represents in medical malpractice lawsuits:

• Asphyxia
• Bone fractures
• Brachial plexus injuries
• Cerebral Palsy
• Erb’s Palsy
• Hypoxia 
• Shoulder dystocia 
• Skull fractures
• Newborn jaundice
• Spinal cord injuries

The potential symptoms of these types of injuries are numerous and can result in lifelong consequences. The lasting effects of birth injuries can consist of cognitive difficulties, loss of motor function and skill, and learning impairments. It is important to understand these symptoms because under Maryland law, you are not only entitled to compensation for present damages, but also for future damages and expenses the injury will cause throughout your child’s life.  

Common Causes Of Medical Malpractice Birth Injuries In Baltimore

Modern technology has made pregnancy and childbirth safer than ever. Unfortunately, despite these advancements, the misuse of medical equipment and negligent care of healthcare providers continue to result in birth injuries. Moreover, the majority of mistakes that cause birth injuries and emergency room errors are entirely avoidable. The most common causes of preventable birth injuries are:

• Improper use of birth-assisting tools – such as forceps or a vacuum extraction tool
• Pulling and/or twisting the infant improperly during delivery
• Administering the wrong amount or type of medication to the mother during pregnancy, labor, and/or delivery
• Failure to treat the mother for infections during the pregnancy
• Failure to perform a medically advisable emergency cesarean section
• Failure to detect and address problems with the umbilical cord
• Failure to appropriately monitor vital signs during labor and delivery
• Improper management of dystocia or breech deliveries