Birth Injuries and Complications | Medical Malpractice in El Paso

Having a baby should be a joyful experience, but instances of medical malpractice that harm the child or mother can detract from that happiness. While some birth injuries are typical, birth injuries and complications of medical malpractice in El Paso occur when a doctor or practitioner causes physical harm to the baby or mother in the birthing process. If you live in El Paso and suspect a doctor hurt you or your baby during childbirth, a Carabin Shaw lawyer might be able to help you secure compensation.

What Causes Birth Injury?

Birth injuries are relatively common in the United States, where 6 to 8 babies per every 1,000 sustain some trauma. The Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital of Stanford reports that some conditions are more likely to lead to birth injury, including:

• An abnormal birthing position, such as a breech baby
• Cephalopelvic disproportion, or the size and shape of the mother’s pelvis
• Dystocia, or difficult labor
• Large babies weighing more than 8 pounds, 13 ounces
• Premature babies born before 37 weeks
• Prolonged labor

While none of the above necessitates birth complications, they do increase the likelihood. If you had one or more of these conditions and your baby sustained harm during childbirth, El Paso medical malpractice lawyers can look into filing a lawsuit against the obstetrician or practitioner who assisted with your delivery.

What Is the Difference Between a Birth Injury and a Birth Defect?

El Paso hospital negligence lawyers know that when a baby sustains an injury during birth, he or she can have complications that last a lifetime. However, it might take time to prove whether the baby’s injuries are the result of your doctor’s negligence or a birth defect, or congenital disability. Data from a 1975–2005 study by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) indicates that congenital disabilities affect 1 in every 33 babies in the United States. A birth defect arises either during or before the pregnancy because of environmental or genetic factors.

A birth injury, by contrast, might come about because of a doctor’s negligence in either the delivery room or prenatal care. If you or your baby suffered as a result of a birth complication, El Paso medical malpractice lawyers could secure justice on your family’s behalf.

What Are Some Common Birth Injuries?

El Paso hospital negligence lawyers report the following birth injuries and complications as common for a potential medical malpractice case:

• Facial paralysis happens when a nerve in the baby’s face becomes injured during labor or delivery. It can occur from the natural pressure of birth or the use of forceps. Parents most notice facial paralysis when their baby cries and cannot move one side of the face or close the eye. According to Stanford Children’s Health, if the nerve was bruised, paralysis should improve in a couple of weeks. If the nerve was torn, surgery might be needed. Call an attorney to discuss the conditions surrounding your baby’s facial paralysis.
• Brachial palsy occurs when the group of nerves that controls hand and arm movements is injured. Similar to facial paralysis, if the nerve was bruised, the condition should improve; if the nerve was torn, there could be permanent damage. A medical malpractice lawyer serving El Paso can help with this case.
• Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy happens when the baby’s brain does not receive enough oxygen during childbirth. This condition can result in dead brain cells, brain damage, developmental problems, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or death.

A medical malpractice lawyer in West Texas can support you if your doctor violated the standard of care, the course of treatment that a reasonably prudent physician would follow in the same position, and hurt your baby.

Finding the Best Texas Lawyer For You

If you live in El Paso and are searching for the “best medical negligence lawyers near me,” look no further than Carabin Shaw. Our El Paso medical malpractice lawyers are here to help your family secure justice.

To get in touch with an attorney, call 915-779-2301 or reach us toll-free at 1-800-862-1260.

---