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What Causes Birth Injuries and How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help

White Plains has a birth rate of 13.7%. The US witnesses close to 2 million birth injuries every year. According to the March of Dimes, the number one cause of birth injuries in White Plains is “failure to progress.”

In 2015, the rate of fetal death in America was 6.03 for every 1,000 live births, and an additional 2% died within twenty-eight days after their birth took place.

In some cases, birth injuries in White Plains occur due to the negligence of the doctor or health care facility. A White Plains personal injury lawyer can help you claim full and fair compensation in your birth injury case.

birth injury

Birth Injuries – And What You Can Do

Birth injuries may occur when a woman experiences contractions, but her body does not follow through with giving birth.

Failure to progress is typically caused by a lack of cervical dilation, leading to complications such as umbilical cord compression and post-maturity (when the mother’s body fails to expel the placenta naturally).

When these things happen, they can result in brain damage, tissue death, or even miscarriage if medical intervention does not occur soon enough.

Doctors and other medical practitioners in White Plains are expected to exercise the highest degree of care while assisting women with labor. If you or your baby has sustained injuries due to improper birthing techniques employed by the doctor, then you can file for compensation.

Common Birth Injuries

    1. Erb’s palsy is the damage to the brachial plexus nerves of the baby. This injury typically occurs when the mother’s pelvic bone traps the baby’s shoulders or head during labor.
    2. Brachial plexus injuries are caused by improper use of forceps/vacuums.
    3. Cystic periventricular leukomalacia is brain damage caused by the lack of oxygen or blood supply to the baby’s brain.

 

Your White Plains personal injury lawyer can help you pursue financial compensation from the “at-fault” party.

Compensation for Birth Injury

You may be able to receive money for the following:

    • Birth related medical expenses;
    • Future medical care and equipment needed by your child as a result of their birth injuries;
    • Loss of past, present, and future earnings due to time missed at work;
    • Childcare costs or lost opportunities that would have been available had it not been for the accident that occurred during your pregnancy;
    • Pain and suffering experienced by you and your family as a result of this situation.

Your lawyer can help review all documentation related to your case and help you choose the right course of action.

Process of Accepting Responsibility

Your White Plains personal injury lawyer can help you determine who might be responsible for your baby’s birth injuries.

You may be able to pursue compensation from the following parties:

  • Your health care professionals, such as your OB/GYN or midwife;
  • The medical facility where you gave birth;
  • A negligent bystander who witnessed the accident but failed to either help you or call 911 promptly; and
  • The nursing company

 

Final Thoughts

Most victims proceed with joint and several liabilities. “Several liabilities” means that if one party is found to be 50% at fault for the birth injury, they will still have to pay 100% of your hospital bills.


Read More:

How to navigate a birth injury

 

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