San Diego Birth Injury Lawyer

When things go wrong during childbirth, what should be a joyful time in your life turns into a devastating experience. If your child has suffered a birth injury, you and your family may be devastated to learn it happened because a doctor was careless with your safety and the safety of your child. 

No amount of financial compensation can reverse the harm caused by the negligence of healthcare professionals, but it can ease the added burden the additional medical care and specialized treatment can cause. A San Diego birth injury lawyer at Conger Injury Law Attorneys can help you recover from this devastating situation. 

Types of Birth Injuries

Complications during pregnancy and labor and delivery aren’t uncommon. However, it’s the responsibility of your healthcare provider to diagnose, treat, and be prepared to handle all possibilities. When those you trust misdiagnose or fail to provide the proper care, this negligence can result in devastating and life-altering injuries. 

Each case is different and requires specialized legal representation. Don’t hesitate to discuss your case with an experienced personal injury advocate. There are many diagnoses that can result due to complications at birth or immediately thereafter. Some of the most common that are seen when pursuing legal action include the following: 

• Brain Damage – Brain damage happens when a serious head injury occurs during delivery. Damage to the brain can be caused by loss or lack of oxygen (hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy), bleeding in the brain, being choked by the umbilical cord, injuries from extraction either manually or by vacuum, and undiagnosed infections of the brain. 
• Cerebral Palsy – Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the developing brain. It leads to a group of disorders that affect movement, muscle tone, and posture. While cerebral palsy may be unavoidable, careless mistakes from a doctor can lead to the development of this condition. 
• Erb’s Palsy – Erb’s Palsy is a type of injury caused due to damage to a baby’s brachial plexus, a neck injury where the nerves that send signals from your spine to your shoulder, arm, and hands are affected. One in one thousand infants suffer from Erb’s palsy.   
• Spinal Cord Injuries – These injuries damage the spinal cord which sends signals to your brain to control your bodily functions. Different levels of paralysis and other complications result. 
• Newborn Cephalohematoma – Bleeding in the head can put pressure on the brain and lead to seizures and long-term brain damage. Long and difficult labor or forceful extraction are the main risk factors. 
• Fetal Demise – Sadly, one out of every one hundred pregnancies ends with the baby dying before birth. When a doctor fails to diagnose a problem and take action, you may have grounds to sue for their lethal carelessness. 
• Kernicterus – When newborn jaundice goes untreated, it can affect the brain and lead to seizures, brain damage, and hearing loss. Talk to an attorney about pursuing compensation for these consequences. 

Long-Term Effects of Birth Injuries

Severe birth injuries caused by your doctor may last throughout your child’s life. The type and severity of the birth injury will determine what long-term care needs your baby will require. Though life may look different than what you had planned, by utilizing the care and resources available, a fulfilling and active life is possible. It can also, however, be expensive, which is why legal action is so important. 

There are many treatment options and specialists available to treat many types of complications resulting from a birth injury. Physical therapy helps with injuries to muscles and mobility, and nutritionists and speech therapists can help those who have problems eating and speaking. Adaptive equipment such as wheelchairs, specialized crutches, and communication devices may be needed. 

Caring for a child with developmental delays or physical debility from a birth injury is a full-time commitment. In addition to multiple doctor visits, the need for specialists, medications, and equipment, child care, or time lost from work are also real possibilities. 

The long-term effects of a birth injury impact both the child and parent and the associated costs can be debilitating as well. Because of this, it’s vital to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible, seeking out legal guidance that can help you get compensated for your financial and emotional suffering. 

Call a San Diego Birth Injury Attorney

A birth injury is defined as an impairment of the infant’s body function or physical structure due to an adverse event occurring during birth. Facing the reality that your child has suffered a birth injury that may affect the future you had planned for them is one of the scariest things a parent can hear. Luckily, there are options for taking action. 

We are devoted to providing you with experienced and caring legal representation to determine the cause and who is liable for your baby’s birth injuries. Contact us today at 619-569-1919 for your no-obligation case evaluation or complete the online form below.