Minnesota Birth Asphyxia Lawyer
Birth asphyxia occurs when a newborn is deprived of important nutrients and oxygen before, during, or immediately after being born. Birth asphyxia is also referred to as perinatal or neonatal asphyxia. Prior to diagnosis, a child must have been deprived of oxygen long enough to cause them physical harm.
Babies often suffer from birth asphyxia as a result of medical malpractice. When that is the case, children often suffer from wrongful death. Even when they survive, birth asphyxia can cause cerebral palsy, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), and other disabilities. The physical toll on the child is great, and families feel the emotional and financial burden. If your child has been hurt, a Minnesota birth asphyxia lawyer can help you claim the compensation you are entitled to.
Types of Birth Asphyxia
Birth asphyxia injuries fall into one of two categories in most cases. These are acute near total asphyxia and partial, prolonged asphyxia.
Acute near total asphyxia occurs when a child is completely deprived of oxygen for a long period of time. This type of injury usually causes severe cerebral palsy. Partial, prolonged asphyxia occurs when a baby is partly deprived of oxygen for a significant period of time. This injury will result in cognitive impairments, slow head growth, behavior problems, and language delays.
What Causes Birth Asphyxia?
Birth asphyxia is often caused by medical malpractice. During the birthing process, medical professionals may not tend to the infant properly, or a maternal condition may have gone undiagnosed during the pregnancy. The main causes of birth asphyxia are as follows:
- Placenta abruption, or a separation of the placenta from the uterus prior to the baby’s birth
- Uterine rupture, or when the uterus tears either partly or completely
- Cord prolapse, when the umbilical cord enters the opening of the cervix prior to the baby’s body
- Improperly managed high-risk pregnancies
- Improper diagnosis or treatment of infections during labor and delivery
- Failure to intervene during prolonged labor
- Failure to monitor fetal heart rate properly
- Inducing labor and causing strong uterine contractions
The above causes of birth asphyxia are not always a result of medical malpractice. For example, a woman may suffer a placenta abruption. Her doctor may diagnose it properly and recommend appropriate treatment. If the placenta continues to separate despite these efforts, it may not be a result of medical malpractice. A Minnesota birth asphyxia lawyer can advise on the elements malpractice claims require, such as a certificate of merit, and help you obtain it.
Our Birth Asphyxia Lawyer in Minnesota is Here to Help
No child should ever be born with an injury that is a result of someone else’s negligence. This does not mean though, that filing a medical malpractice claim is easy. At Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman, LLC, our Minnesota birth asphyxia lawyer knows that doctors and hospitals are not always interested in justice for you and your child. Our seasoned attorneys are and we will not stop until we get it for you. Call us today or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help.
