HALIFAX Birth Injury Lawyer

Birth injuries come in a variety of different forms. Some examples include:

• Cerebral palsy – If a doctor fails to detect fetal distress, uses birth-assisting tools improperly, has problems with the umbilical cord, or delays in performing a necessary C-section, the baby could suffer cerebral palsy, a debilitating disability distinguished by a lack of muscle control.
• Erb’s palsy – This condition often occurs when a baby is forcefully pulled by the arms, shoulders, or feet (in the case of a breech birth), and the nerves in the arm become damaged as a result. Erb’s palsy symptoms can range from mild to severe, and the child may experience difficulty moving their upper arm or the entire trunk in some cases.
• Klumpke’s palsy – If the baby is forced into an unnatural position in the birth canal, the two lowest of the brachial plexus nerves could become damaged, resulting in paralysis of the hand and forearm.
• Caput succedaneum – The swelling of a newborn’s scalp, also called caput succedaneum, is a very dangerous condition that can be caused by undue uterine or vaginal pressure. This type of birth injury is more likely to occur during difficult or long deliveries, or when a vacuum extraction is performed.
• Cephalohematoma – An accumulation of blood under the scalp, cephalohematoma can occur in newborns if, during the birthing process, the baby experiences trauma that causes small blood vessels in their head to be broken. Cephalohematoma is more likely to occur if birth-assisting tools are used during the delivery process.
• Fractures – Broken bones can occur during birth for a variety of reasons. Fractures are most commonly caused by shoulder dystocia, improper use of forceps (or other instruments), or excessive pulling or twisting of the baby.
• Bruising and lacerations – Bruises and cuts can happen during the birthing process, which is a potentially traumatic experience for an infant’s fragile body. The use of forceps or a vacuum can leave bruises (also called contusions) and lacerations, as can C-section deliveries that are poorly performed.
• Facial paralysis – This condition happens when an infant experiences facial nerve damage during labor or birth due to pressure on their face. If the facial nerve is merely bruised, facial paralysis may be temporary. If the nerve is torn, however, surgery may be needed to prevent permanent paralysis.
• Brain injuries – Damage to the brain suffered at birth can be extremely serious, is often permanent, and can manifest in both physical and mental symptoms. Brain injuries can be caused by a variety of different events, but most frequently result from anoxia (complete lack of oxygen), hypoxia (low oxygen), or head trauma.
• Brachial plexus injuries – These injuries occur when the network of nerves around a baby’s neck are damaged during delivery by being compressed, stretched, or separated from the spinal cord. This damage can cause loss of sensation and movement in the arms, sometimes permanently.
• Stillbirth and neonatal death – Death soon before or soon after birth occurs when an injury sustained during the birthing process is so severe that the baby passes away, either prior to being born (stillbirth), or shortly after birth (neonatal death).
• Maternal injuries – Instances when a mother suffers injuries during labor and delivery come in many different forms. Some of the most common are vaginal tearing, postpartum hemorrhages, ruptured uterus, and prolapsed uterus.