Birth injuries can have lifelong consequences for newborns and their families. While some complications are unavoidable, others result from medical negligence during labor and delivery. Understanding the most common birth injuries and their causes can help families recognize potential malpractice and seek legal guidance.

What Are Birth Injuries?

Birth injuries refer to physical harm sustained by an infant during childbirth. These injuries can range from mild to severe and often result from improper medical care, delayed interventions, or preventable errors by healthcare providers.

While some injuries heal over time, others lead to long-term disabilities, requiring extensive medical care, therapy, and financial resources.

Most Common Birth Injuries and Their Causes

Brachial Plexus Injuries (Erb’s Palsy & Klumpke’s Palsy)

Cause: Excessive pulling or stretching of the baby's neck and shoulders during delivery, often due to shoulder dystocia (when the baby’s shoulders get stuck in the birth canal).

Potential Impact: Weakness, paralysis, or limited movement in the arm or hand. Some cases require surgery and extensive physical therapy.

Cerebral Palsy

Cause: Oxygen deprivation before, during, or shortly after birth due to delayed C-section, umbilical cord issues, or prolonged labor.

Potential Impact: Impaired muscle coordination, speech difficulties, and cognitive challenges. Severity varies, with some children requiring lifelong care.

Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)

Cause: Insufficient oxygen or blood flow to the baby’s brain, often due to delayed intervention, placental abruption, or umbilical cord complications.

Potential Impact: Brain damage, developmental delays, or severe neurological impairments. Early therapeutic hypothermia treatment can sometimes minimize damage.

Fractures (Clavicle or Skull)

Cause: Improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors, or excessive force during a difficult delivery.

Potential Impact: Pain, restricted movement, and potential long-term complications. Most fractures heal with minimal medical intervention.

Facial Nerve Damage

Cause: Pressure on the baby's face during forceps-assisted delivery or prolonged compression during birth.

Potential Impact: Temporary or permanent facial paralysis, affecting a child’s ability to blink, smile, or control facial muscles.

Intracranial Hemorrhage (Brain Bleeding)

Cause: Premature birth, trauma from delivery tools, or excessive pressure during labor.

Potential Impact: Mild cases may resolve on their own, but severe bleeding can lead to seizures, developmental delays, or cerebral palsy.

How Medical Negligence Leads to Birth Injuries

While not every birth injury results from malpractice, certain preventable mistakes by medical professionals can increase the risk:

Failure to monitor fetal distress – A lack of oxygen can cause permanent brain damage if not promptly addressed.

Delayed C-section – Prolonged labor or failure to perform a timely cesarean increases the risk of oxygen deprivation.

Improper use of delivery tools – Forceps and vacuum extractors require careful handling to avoid skull fractures and nerve damage.

Medication errors – Incorrect dosages of labor-inducing drugs can cause excessive contractions, distressing the baby.

If a healthcare provider’s negligence directly contributed to a birth injury, legal action may be warranted to seek compensation for medical expenses, ongoing care, and emotional distress.

Legal Options for Families Affected by Birth Injuries

Parents of children who have suffered birth injuries due to medical negligence have legal rights to pursue compensation. A birth injury lawsuit can help cover:

Medical bills and future treatments

Rehabilitation and therapy costs

Assistive devices and home modifications

Pain and suffering

Building a strong case requires expert medical testimony, a thorough review of medical records, and an experienced birth injury lawyer who understands Pennsylvania’s malpractice laws.

Get Expert Legal Help from Frischman & Rizza

Birth injuries caused by medical negligence can have devastating consequences, but families are not alone in seeking justice. Frischman & Rizza specializes in birth injury cases in Pittsburgh, PA, helping parents hold negligent medical professionals accountable.

To discuss legal options and seek the compensation your child deserves, contact Frischman & Rizza in Pittsburgh, PA, at 412-274-0134 for a free consultation today.