While we wish that all babies were born healthy, unfortunately many infants come into this world with defects due to genetics or other reasons associated with the baby’s biological parents. Some babies are birthed into a lifetime of pain and suffering from injuries caused by medical staff overseeing the delivery. In some of these cases, infants die from birth injuries caused by physician or staff negligence. This type of tragedy must not go unaccounted for.

Recent Studies Indicate Nearly 3% of U.S. Births Involve Injuries

A recent study indicates that 29 out of every 1,000 births occurring in the United States involves a birth-related injury. Because published birth-injury rates in the U.S. have varied historically, it’s uncertain whether or not these numbers represent an ongoing issue. However, there are certainly negligence issues new mothers are dealing with today.

Out of the nearly 3% of babies born in this country suffering from an injury, there are too many caused by negligence and those are the situations that must be stopped.

There are Many Causes of Birth Injuries

Birth injuries happen for several reasons, including babies being born that are too big or that are positioned wrong in the uterus. Mothers who have a small pelvis or have been through prolonged labor can deliver babies with injuries. Sometimes, however, decisions made by medical staff lead to birth injuries which are some of the negligence scenarios that a birth trauma lawyer helps parents address.

Babies delivered with forceps or vacuum extraction often suffer from cuts and from bruising, on the face and head. If a baby is left too long inside the birth canal, it can suffer from arm fractures as it is birthed, or face a range of potential problems stemming from lack of oxygen while in the birth canal. Birth trauma attorneys assist parents seeking justice and compensation from birth injuries that were caused by the negligence of medical staff.

You Can Get Help If You’ve Delivered a Baby With a Birth Injury Caused by Negligence

It’s sad to think that medical staff negligence does lead to so many birth injuries. All parents hope they are attended to by the many doctors and nurses who are actually competent and do exactly what they’ve been trained to do to deliver a new life safely. But, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) published information that in 2006 alone, more than 175,000 birth injuries were possibly avoidable. These injuries happened to newborns and to mothers after childbirth.

Babies with birth injuries often suffer from permanent damage, and some of them are so severely disabled for the rest of their lives that they cannot walk, speak or function normally. When medical staff causes birth injuries, parents suffer as well knowing that their children’s pain could have been avoided. A birth trauma attorney helps bring to light whether a doctor, nurse or other attending professional breached “standards of care” procedures during childbirth. “Standard of care” procedures call for all medical professionals to exercise due diligence and caution when caring for patients.

If you think your medical practitioner or staff has breached “standards of care” during the delivery of your child, fill out the form on this page. An attorney from Taos Injury Lawyers will be in touch to help you understand your potential case. You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, physical suffering, and mental anguish.