Helping Kentucky Families Facing Common Types Of Birth Injuries
Birth injuries can be heart-wrenching for new parents. They are injuries infants suffer during the labor and delivery process. They can result from a variety of factors, including delivery complications and errors. When your child has experienced such an injury, a skilled birth injury attorney can help you seek answers and justice.
Gray Law, PLLC, based in Louisville, is here for Kentucky parents who are dealing with the aftermath of birth injuries. When you turn to the firm for help, you’ll receive direct support from birth injury attorney David Gray. As a proven trial lawyer with over 35 years of experience, David is ready to fight for the financial relief you need to protect your child’s future.
What Are Common Birth Injuries?
Among the common birth injuries that can occur at hospitals in Kentucky are:
- Brachial plexus injuries: These involve damage to the nerve network responsible for relaying signals from the spine to the hand, arm and shoulder. Erb’s palsy is one type of such injury. Possible symptoms include weakness, numbness or lack of movement in the arm.
- Cerebral palsy: This is a group of disorders affecting movement and muscle tone which can result from damage to the brain before or during birth. Symptoms can vary greatly, and may include muscle stiffness, lack of coordination and developmental delays.
- Fractures: Broken bones, especially the collarbone, can occur due to difficult circumstances during delivery.
- Cephalohematoma: This happens when blood builds up between a baby’s scalp and skull. A common cause is head pressure during delivery.
- Caput succedaneum: This is another injury that can occur as a result of delivery-related head pressure, and it involves swelling of a newborn’s scalp.
- Perinatal asphyxia: This occurs when an infant experiences a harmful lack of oxygen during birth. It can have serious impacts on a baby’s brain and organs.
- Intracranial hemorrhage: This is bleeding within a newborn’s skull. It can occur as a result of oxygen deprivation or trauma during birth. Symptoms include seizures, lethargy, unusual eye movements and lowered heart rate.
- Facial nerve injuries: Pressure on the baby’s face during delivery can cause damage to the facial nerves. This could result in temporary or permanent facial paralysis.
- Spinal cord injuries: Excessive traction, pulling or rotation during delivery could potentially damage a child’s spinal cord, which could lead to loss of function or movement.
- Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE): This is brain damage caused by oxygen deprivation and lack of blood flow to the baby’s brain during birth. It can result in neurological issues.
Birth injuries can vary from minor ones that will ultimately heal on their own to major ones that could be life-altering or life-threatening.
The Impact Of Birth Injuries On Families
The effects of birth injuries can extend far beyond the physical damage caused. Kentucky families can face considerable emotional and financial strains as they navigate the challenges of caring for an injured infant. The medical expenses can add up and become overwhelming. Parents may also have many worries about their child’s future. Seeking legal guidance from an experienced birth injury attorney can be key for families in determining if they have any legal options for securing financial resources to help cope with such impacts.
Birth Injuries And Medical Malpractice
When health care providers fail to follow standard procedures or act improperly before, during and after childbirth, the consequences for an infant can be severe. While not every birth injury is due to medical negligence, when such an injury occurs, it’s important to look into whether any medical care mistakes played a role. When harmful errors are present, a family may be able to pursue compensation through a medical malpractice lawsuit.
How Can A Birth Injury Attorney Help?
A skilled lawyer can be an invaluable ally for parents after a birth injury. Such a professional can:
- Provide personalized support
- Investigate the circumstances of the injury
- Identify potential routes for seeking compensation
- Help with filing a birth injury claim
- Gather evidence to build a strong birth injury malpractice case
- Pursue justice at every step
With extensive experience, in-depth legal knowledge and a deep commitment to client service, David is ready to help your family respond to this challenging situation.
Reach Out For A Free Case Review
Get the full picture of your rights and potential options for pursuing relief after a birth injury. Get the guidance of a trusted, experienced Louisville birth injury attorney. Contact David at 502-205-7578 or by email to set up a free consultation.