As a parent, you understand that injuries are inevitable. Your child will eventually take a tumble and experience bumps and bruises. What you were not prepared for was your child suffering an injury during their birth. His or her precious life has just begun; however, they are suffering much pain due to medical negligence.
It is difficult to prepare for birth injuries when parents in Illinois and elsewhere are focused on getting their home ready for their new baby. Unfortunately, mistakes can happen in the labor and delivery process, resulting in serious injuries and even permanent disabilities to a newborn.
While birth injuries can come in many forms, orthopedic injuries are common birth injuries experienced by newborns. Although many risks can come with a normal and healthy birth, the reality is that some harms suffered by a newborn are caused by mistakes and errors made by the medical professionals aiding the birthing process.
When it comes to orthopedic injuries, these could be related to the large weight of the newborn or their advanced gestational age. It could also be associated with underlying medical problems, which could include osteogenesis imperfect or arthrogryposis. No matter the situation, though, medical professionals are likely fully aware of these conditions or risks, meaning that their medical decisions should be based on this information.
The most common orthopedic injuries suffered by newborns include clavicle fractures, brachial plexus injuries, such as Erb’s Palsy, growth plate fractures and femur fractures. With this type of birth injury, the good news is that they will often resolve themselves. Newborns have a tremendous capacity to heal, and many newborns can recover from these types of injuries without requiring specific treatment. However, these injuries could also be serious, requiring lengthy treatment and even long-term issues.
No matter the type of birth injury, parents should be aware of the matter and what options they might have. By fully understanding the cause, it may be possible to seek compensation though a medical malpractice suit. Although this is a confusing and emotional time for parents, it is possible to gain answers and protect their legal rights.