Critical Consequences: Medical Mistakes During Birth Could Lead to Lifelong Baby Injuries

Any mistake made by the doctors, nurses, or other medical staff could cause serious injuries for the remainder of the baby’s life. Birthing mothers can also have lifelong physical and emotional issues stemming from an avoidable birth issue. If your doctor or other medical professional made a mistake during the birth of your child, it is important to work with an experienced San Antonio birth injury lawyer who can help you hold the negligent doctor or medical professional accountable for his or her actions. At the Law Offices of Glenn W. Cunningham, we have over 30 years of experience handling cases involving birth injuries and birth defects.

Medical Mistakes During Delivery

Because childbirth is such a medically complex process, the doctor and hospital nurses must carefully follow all applicable standards of care and respond appropriately to any issues that come up for mother or baby. Any mistake could cause serious injuries or health conditions including:

  • Birth asphyxia: Perinatal asphyxia, neonatal asphyxia or birth asphyxia -- these are conditions that result from oxygen deprivation of oxygen for a newborn during birth causing physical harm and possible brain damage.
  • Deficient placenta misdiagnosis: A deficient placenta results in the inability to supply nutrients and oxygen to the infant from the mother’s bloodstream. It leads to health issues for both the infant and mother that can usually be avoided with early diagnosis.
  • Cerebral Palsy: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a type of brain damage that can result in severe and incurable mental and physical impairment. Cerebral palsy is often caused by medical errors, such as asphyxia before birth, hypoxia of the brain, birth trauma during labor and delivery, and complications in the perinatal period.
  • Shoulder dystocia: Shoulder dystocia occurs during childbirth when, after the delivery of the baby’s head, the infant’s anterior shoulder cannot pass below the mother’s pubic bone. It is diagnosed when the shoulders fail to deliver shortly after the fetal head. Shoulder dystocia is an obstetrical emergency that can lead to fetal demise if the infant is not delivered quickly and carefully due to compression of the umbilical cord within the birth canal.
  • Hydrocephalus: Also known as “water on the brain,” hydrocephalus is the buildup of too much fluid in the brain, which causes harmful pressure.
  • Erb’s Palsy: Erb’s Palsy is a common and very serious brachial plexus injury known as shoulder dystocia. Shoulder dystocia can result in a partial or complete paralysis of the arm that may be permanent.
  • Brachial plexus: Brachial plexus birth injuries are one of the most serious birth injures that can occur. Brachial plexus injuries occur when the baby’s head comes out of the womb and the shoulder gets caught on the mother’s pubic bone. Doctors usually have less than five minutes to resolve the emergency, and if they fail to correct the situation within that time, the result can be paralysis (typically arm paralysis), brain injury, or death.
  • Hypoxia: Birth hypoxia occurs when the brain is deprived of oxygen. Hypoxia happens during pregnancy or delivery and often results in brain damage. It often contributes to cerebral palsy and other disabilities and can lead to infant death. Many parents do not realize the extent of their child’s brain damage until developmental delays become apparent. Children who have suffered hypoxia experience severe mental and emotional problems, which require accommodations.
  • Preeclampsia: A common issue, preeclampsia involves high blood pressure and can lead to damage to the liver and kidneys. Beginning sometime after 20 weeks of pregnancy, a slight rise in blood pressure could be a symptom of this issue. Preeclampsia often results in serious and possibly fatal complications for the mother and child, which is why early detection is absolutely necessary.
  • Delayed C-Section: In many cases, delivery must take place immediately in order to protect the health of mother and child. Some common reasons for a C-Section include diabetes, active genital herpes, uterine ruptures, breech infant, and fetal distress, among others. If a C-Section is delayed or takes too long, it increases the risk of birth injury or death.
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The Consequences of a Birth Injury

Birth injuries are some of the most traumatic events a parent can experience. Some injuries are readily apparent while others may not seem all that significant at birth but ultimately turn out to have devastating, long-lasting effects that will forever impact your child. The most common consequences of birth injuries include:

  • Cognitive impairment
  • Emotional impairment
  • Psychological problems
  • Neurological problems
  • Musculoskeletal problems

Contact an Experienced Texas Birth Injury Lawyer

If your doctor made a mistake during childbirth, we can help you get justice. While a financial recovery may not heal your baby, it ensures the negligent doctor is held accountable and that you have the funds you need for lifelong treatment of issues stemming from a birth injury. Contact us online or call our office to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced San Antonio medical malpractice attorney.

Client Testimonials

I can’t say enough good things about Glenn Cunningham and his firm.

He took my case and fought for me from day one. Glenn and his staff were professional and caring. They kept me updated on all aspects of my case. We were able to go to mediation and reach a settlement that was more than fair. I would recommend Glenn to any of my friends and family. I am beyond pleased with how my case was handled and ultimately settled.

D.M.

Glenn Cunningham is tough, smart, experienced.

A very deep heartfelt thank you to the whole team at the Law Offices of Glenn W. Cunningham. Glenn is tough, smart, experienced, and he will do everything in his power to make sure that you or your loved one get the best outcome possible from whatever personal tragedy you may be facing. He fought for me when no one else would. He will do the same for you.

A.K.

I am grateful to Glenn Cunningham for the hard work he did

I am very pleased with the legal services provided by Glenn Cunningham. He is very competent, knowledgeable, caring, personable, and professional. If you are seeking justice for medical malpractice or wrongful death, Glenn will fight for you. He is tenacious and assertive on behalf of his clients. He also keeps you informed of the status of your case on a regular basis.

J.O.

Glenn Cunningham knows his job well.

Glenn was amazing! Very knowledgeable, and Nicole, his secretary, is very helpful and knowledgeable as well. We never had a problem reaching someone at the office, and our questions were always answered promptly.

C.R.

This is by far the best attorney for your malpractice case.

I wanted to thank Mr. Cunningham and his staff for there amazing work and dedication to my case and fighting for me when I couldn't. They truly were amazing and always kept my family and I updated on everything that was happening.

K.V.

Let's hold health care professionals accountable when their neglect severely injures or kills a loved one.

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