The birth of a baby is an event that should be cause for celebration and joy for all involved. When a birth injury occurs, however, what should be a time of celebration turns to a time filled with concern, anxiety, and fear for the parents. To make matters worse, there is a good chance that the birth injury was preventable. All too often birth injuries are caused by the negligent acts or omissions of the doctor, hospital, or other healthcare provider involved in the prenatal care of the mother and/or birth of the child.
At Slusky & Walt, P.C. our birth injury lawyers understand that nothing we do can turn back the clock and prevent the injuries your child suffers; however, we can ensure that the responsible party is held accountable. As founders of the American Benefits Experts, or A.B.E., we are also committed to ensuring that you are fully and fairly compensated for the injuries you and your child have suffered. If you have suffered a Michigan birth injury and you believe that another party’s negligence caused, or contributed to, that injury, contact the Birth Injury Attorneys A.B.E. team at Slusky & Walt, P.C. today at 1-800-ABE-HELPS (1-800-223-4357) to schedule your free consultation.
What Is a Birth Injury?
The term “birth injury” refers to injuries a baby receives prior to, or during, birth. Sometimes, things go horribly wrong during the birth of a child and no one is to blame. Frequently, however, birth injuries are caused by the negligence of a healthcare provider. A birth injury can range in severity from mild to severe. Some common birth injuries include:
- Subconjunctival hemorrhage – breakage of small blood vessels in the eyes of a baby causing a red band around the iris. The condition typically goes away within a couple of weeks.
- Forceps marks and bruising – the use of forceps can cause temporary marks or bruising on the baby’s head. Vacuum extraction can also cause bruising or lacerations. In extreme cases the use of forceps can cause a skull fracture, requiring surgery.
- Cephalohematoma – an area of bleeding underneath one of the cranial bones hat often appears several hours after birth as a raised lump on the baby’s head. The body typically reabsorbs the blood within a few weeks; however, jaundice can occur.
- Facial Paralysis – the use of forceps can cause damage to the facial nerve. If the injury is serious, surgery may be required.
- Brachial Palsy – occurs when the brachial plexus (the group of nerves that supplies the arms and hands) is injured. Brachial palsy frequently occurs when there is difficulty delivering the baby’s shoulder, called shoulder dystocia. If the nerve is torn, permanent nerve damage may result.
- Fractures – fractures of thee clavicle or collarbone are the most common and usually occur when there is trouble getting the shoulders out or during a breech birth. Fractures typically heel completely within a few weeks.
- Brain Injury/Cerebral Palsy – brain injuries are the most serious birth injuries. Oxygen deprivation to the baby as a result of blood loss, or the twisting or compression of the umbilical cord can cause a brain injury. The longer the oxygen deprivation goes on the more serious the injury. Seizure disorders, cerebral palsy, and mental disorders are common injuries caused by oxygen deprivation.
Although some birth injuries heal rather quickly, others never heal completely. A child who develops cerebral palsy because of oxygen deprivation at birth, for example, will live with that condition for life. The financial cost of caring for a child who was born with a severe birth injury can be staggering. The emotional toll on the parents is also typically exceptional. If your child’s birth injury is the result of negligence on the part of a healthcare provider, shouldn’t the negligent party be held accountable?
The American Benefits Experts at Slusky & Walt, P.C. are committed to helping victims of a birth injury pursue compensation from the negligent party. More importantly, we are dedicated to holding the responsible party accountable. The A.B.E. team will help you accomplish both goals. Contact the experienced Birth Injury Attorneys A.B.E. team today at 1-800-ABE-HELPS (1-800-223-4357) so that we can get started working toward the compensation you deserve for the injuries you have suffered.
