The birth of a child is supposed to be one of the most treasured moments of someone’s life. However, the joy of welcoming a child can turn into a terrifying experience when a parent learns their newborn was injured during birth.
While some injuries aren’t the fault of medical staff, how healthcare teams prepare for, respond to, and treat them is entirely within their control. Medical staff have a duty to provide standardized care and ensure they don’t cause or worsen an injury. A single mistake can cause an injury that will change the course of a newborn’s life.
For parents, understanding the types of serious birth injuries, their symptoms, and causes is a critical first step toward protecting their child’s future. At Weisser Law, we have decades of experience handling cases involving birth injuries.
Click on the injuries below to find more information on the several types of birth injuries handled by Weisser Law.
Blood disorder — In the hours and days after birth, newborns may develop blood disorders that can trigger a range of more complicated issues. Depending on the severity of the disorder, the baby may develop jaundice, anemia, breathing issues, experience stress, or more.
Brain injury — Brain injuries can happen before birth, during labor and delivery, or in the first days of life, but can have a lifetime of consequences. A newborn’s development can be permanently damaged, and they may experience vision or hearing issues, cognitive delays, epilepsy/seizures, cerebral palsy, and more. Many brain injuries require lifelong care.
C-section — Although very common, a caesarean section is still a form of surgery, and with it comes a variety of risks. The risks are not just for the mother, but also for the newborn, who may suffer injuries or need extra attention from medical staff following the procedure.
Iatrogenic — Iatrogenic injuries are those caused directly by medical care and are often preventable as long as staff follow standardized care guidelines. When dealing with newborns, a short delay or a minor dosing error can cause life-changing injuries.
Infectious — Although the warning signs start off mild, infections in newborns can become very dangerous, very quickly. Infections can cause a range of injuries that can cause permanent damage or death. Less serious cases may still leave the newborn with severe injuries that change their lives and their family’s.
Injury — Difficulties during labor or birth can put extra pressure on a newborn’s head, neck, shoulders, and nerves. Depending on how medical staff react to the difficulties, unavoidable injuries can be made worse.
While many birth-related injuries heal over time with treatment, others may suffer permanent disability or developmental delays.
Jaundice — Although it’s very common in newborns, jaundice can quickly trigger more dangerous health issues. Jaundice occurs when bilirubin builds up in the blood, which causes the eyes and skin to turn yellow. If symptoms are missed or treatment doesn’t start promptly, the case can quickly worsen.
Liver/biliary — Problems with a newborn’s liver can set in motion a series of problems that impact the baby for their lifetime. Liver issues spotted during or soon after birth require immediate attention and a comprehensive treatment plan.
Metabolic/toxic — Unfortunately, newborns do not handle problems with fluids, salt balance, and blood sugar well. Among the most serious concerns are issues with severe dehydration and dangerously low blood sugar, both of which can cause permanent injury or even death.
Neurological — When a newborn’s brain suffers an injury, the effects can happen immediately, but the consequences may last a lifetime. While some babies recover without suffering a serious injury, many are left dealing with the permanent issues that impact their daily lives and their families.
Oxygen deprivation — When the body or the organs cannot get enough oxygen, it causes a condition called oxygen deprivation. A lack of oxygen to the brain for just a short time can result in brain damage, permanent disability, coma, and death.
Pediatric/developmental — Babies can suffer injuries to their brains before, during, and after birth, with many of those injuries causing lifelong problems. The issues may impact how a child moves, speaks, thinks, grows, sees, or eats.
Respiratory — Breathing issues at any age are a major concern, but when they involve a newborn, the outcome can drastically change their future. Although some breathing issues clear up on their own, others may cause oxygen deprivation, organ damage, lifelong developmental issues, and other long-term disabilities.
If your baby was injured before, during, or after birth, you deserve answers, a clear understanding of what happened, and how. Your family should not have to shoulder the financial, emotional, and long-term consequences of a preventable medical error alone.
Serious injuries demand serious representation. With over 50 years of experience in courtrooms across Florida, the team at Weisser Law has the reputation and record you need to secure every dollar of compensation you deserve. Weisser Law, where exceptional experience means exceptional results.