Types of Birth Injuries

Camden, Sumter, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, Columbia, and Aiken, South Carolina

Unfortunately, birth injuries occur on a regular basis, impacting approximately 7 out of every 1,000 births across the country. These injuries can occur during pregnancy, childbirth, or immediately following delivery. While some of these birth injuries are due to genetic factors, many of them are caused by preventable medical errors.

These medical errors result in a wide variety of birth injuries which range in severity from minor, temporary injuries to serious damage requiring long term care. If your child suffered a birth injury due to the negligent care of a medical professional, you may be entitled to receive compensation through a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Common Birth Injuries

Two of the most common types of birth injuries resulting from medical malpractice are cerebral palsy and Erb’s palsy. Cerebral palsy is a condition resulting in neurological disorders which impact your child’s muscle control. It is often caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain during delivery. Children with cerebral palsy often experience impairments such as:

• Slurred speech
• Poor muscle control
• Limited mobility
• Learning disabilities

Erb’s palsy is a birth injury impacting the baby’s brachial plexus nerves. It is often caused by a condition called shoulder dystocia, which occurs when a baby’s shoulder gets stuck in the birth canal. This can stretch and damage the nerves in the region, resulting in an inability to properly move an arm. Often, Erb’s palsy can be avoided if the doctor handling your child’s delivery orders a Caesarean section.

Sometimes a vacuum or forceps are used to facilitate the delivery of a child. When these instruments are not used properly, they can result in a variety of birth injuries such as:

• Brain damage
• Brain swelling
• Bleeding in the brain
• Skull fractures
• Facial nerve damage

Other common birth injuries include:

• Broken bones
• Asphyxia neonatorum
• Perinatal stroke
• Kernicterus
• Skin problems

McWhirter, Bellinger & Associates Can Help

The birth injury lawyers in South Carolina at McWhirter, Bellinger & Associates have helped many victims of birth injuries recover the compensation they deserve. If your child’s injuries were caused by medical negligence, we will fight aggressively to ensure your rights are protected every step of the way.

Our medical malpractice attorneys work with a team of medical experts who will carefully analyze your case to detect evidence of medical malpractice, and they will provide expert testimony in court if necessary to support your case. This can provide the edge you need to recover damages for your child’s medical expenses, ongoing care, and emotional distress.

Please contact our birth injury lawyers today to schedule your free initial consultation. McWhirter, Bellinger & Associates serves clients in Aiken, Camden, Columbia, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, and Sumter, South Carolina.