Minnesota Infant Injury Lawyer
All parents should have reason to celebrate when they welcome a new baby into the family. Unfortunately, when medical malpractice takes place and a child suffers injury as a result, that time of celebration quickly turns into one of sorrow and tragedy. Medical malpractice causes far too many preventable injuries to newborns every year and when it does, the parents of the child can file a claim against the negligent healthcare professional. A Minnesota infant injury lawyer can help families through the personal injury claim process so they claim the full and fair settlement they deserve.
Failure to Order a C-Section
Cesarean sections, more commonly referred to as C-sections, are sometimes necessary when complications arise during the birthing process. For example, when a woman has experienced prolonged labor, it can place the baby in distress and a doctor will often order a C-section. When doctors do not order a C-section when the need arises, infants can suffer very serious injuries. Broken bones, brain damage, and developmental disabilities are just a few of these.
Injuries Caused by Improperly Using Medical Devices
Tools such as vacuum extractors and forceps are sometimes necessary during difficult births. Still, these medical devices have the potential to cause very serious injuries and so, doctors should only use them when they are absolutely necessary. When these devices are not used properly, the infant can sustain brain damage, brachial plexus injuries, and head injuries. Sometimes, these injuries are permanent.
Brachial Plexus Injuries
The brachial plexus is a grouping of nerves that runs through the shoulder, clavicle, and the upper arm. An infant’s shoulders are the widest part of their body that has to fit through the birth canal. It is not uncommon for them to become stuck, even for just a few minutes.
Doctors must know how to respond to this situation without using excessive force or improperly adjusting the child in a manner that could cause a brachial plexus injury. When they act negligently, it can result in serious injuries such as damage to the nerves, or even paralysis. A child may also suffer from Erb’s palsy, which results in slower muscle growth in the arm.
Cerebral Palsy
The term ‘cerebral palsy’ does not refer to just one condition, but it is an umbrella term that refers to multiple medical conditions. In any case, cerebral palsy does involve some degree of brain damage to newborn children, and it is one of the most common birth injuries in the country. Cerebral palsy is usually caused by oxygen deprivation, although other types of trauma can also cause the medical condition.
Cerebral palsy can cause significant disability in some children, while others are able to live relatively normal lives with the condition. Still, cerebral palsy does not have a known cure and so, children born with it will live with it for the rest of their life.
Our Infant Injury Attorney in Minnesota Can Provide the Legal Advice You Need
No child should suffer as a result of medical negligence. If your child has been injured, our Minnesota infant injury attorney at Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman, LLC, can review the facts of your case to determine if negligence was to blame. If so, we know how to hold the right party accountable to help you make things right. Call us today or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and to learn more.
