Alamo Heights Birth Injury Attorney

Help for Your Family When Medical Professionals Fall Short

At Maloney Law Group, P.L.L.C., we understand the immense joy that comes with the anticipation of a new life. Unfortunately, when a birth injury occurs, that joy can quickly turn into anguish and confusion. If your child has suffered a birth injury, you may be feeling overwhelmed, unsure of where to turn for help. Our Alamo Heights birth injury lawyers provide families with the legal support and guidance they need during these difficult times.

Our legal team is dedicated to holding negligent medical professionals accountable for the harm they cause. We fight to secure compensation for families so they can focus on caring for their child without the added financial stress of medical expenses and long-term care costs.

Call (210) 361-2997 or contact us online today to request a free case review.

What is a Birth Injury?

A birth injury refers to any harm sustained by a newborn during labor, delivery, or immediately after birth. While some minor injuries, such as bruises or small cuts, can occur naturally during childbirth and heal quickly, more severe birth injuries can lead to long-term or permanent disabilities. These injuries can affect the child’s physical and cognitive development, requiring ongoing medical care and rehabilitation.

Birth injuries are often the result of complications during delivery or improper medical intervention. While not all birth injuries are preventable, many occur due to medical negligence or errors made by healthcare providers. If a medical professional fails to adhere to the appropriate standard of care during childbirth, and that failure results in injury to the newborn, the family may have a valid birth injury claim.

Some of the most common types of birth injuries include:

• Cerebral Palsy: This condition is caused by damage to the brain during or shortly after birth. It affects muscle control, coordination, and balance, and often leads to lifelong physical and developmental challenges.
• Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE): This occurs when the baby’s brain does not receive enough oxygen during birth, potentially leading to severe brain damage or developmental delays.
• Erb’s Palsy (Brachial Plexus Injury): Erb’s palsy occurs when the nerves in the shoulder are damaged during delivery, often due to excessive force used during a difficult birth. It can result in weakness or paralysis in the affected arm.
• Fractures: A fractured collarbone or arm can occur when a baby is delivered with excessive force, especially during breech deliveries or complicated labors.
• Facial Paralysis: Excessive pressure on the baby’s face during delivery can lead to damage of the facial nerves, resulting in temporary or permanent paralysis of facial muscles.
• Cephalohematoma: This is a condition where blood pools between the baby’s scalp and skull, often caused by the improper use of birth-assisting tools like forceps or vacuum extractors.

Common Causes of Birth Injuries

Common causes of birth injuries include:

• Improper Monitoring: Failure to monitor the mother and baby’s vital signs during labor can result in delayed action when complications arise, such as fetal distress or a drop in oxygen levels.
• Failure to Perform a Timely C-Section: In some cases, a C-section is necessary to prevent injury to the baby. Delaying or failing to perform an emergency C-section can lead to serious birth injuries, including oxygen deprivation.
• Improper Use of Delivery Tools: Tools such as forceps and vacuum extractors are sometimes necessary during difficult deliveries, but if they are used improperly or with too much force, they can cause serious injury to the baby.
• Medication Errors: Administering the wrong medication or incorrect dosage to the mother during labor can affect the baby’s health and development, leading to potential birth injuries.
• Prolonged Labor: When labor lasts too long, it can increase the risk of oxygen deprivation or trauma during delivery, leading to severe complications for the newborn.
• Failure to Address Complications: Certain pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, or umbilical cord issues, require careful monitoring and swift action during delivery. Failure to properly address these issues can result in harm to the baby.

Who is Liable for a Birth Injury?

Determining liability for a birth injury requires a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the injury. In many cases, healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, and hospital staff, can be held responsible for medical negligence. Common parties that may be liable in a birth injury claim include:

• Obstetricians: If an obstetrician fails to provide the appropriate standard of care during labor and delivery, resulting in injury to the baby, they can be held liable for medical malpractice.
• Nurses and Medical Staff: Nurses and other medical professionals assisting during childbirth may also be held liable if they fail to properly monitor the mother and baby or take appropriate action during complications.
• Hospitals: In some cases, the hospital itself may be held responsible for birth injuries if the staff was improperly trained, overworked, or if unsafe policies were in place that contributed to the injury.

How Maloney Law Group, P.L.L.C. Can Help

At Maloney Law Group, P.L.L.C., we have extensive experience handling complex birth injury claims. Our Alamo Heights birth injury lawyers will thoroughly investigate your case, working with medical experts to determine the cause of your child’s injury and identify all liable parties. We understand the emotional and financial toll that a birth injury can take on a family, and we are committed to securing the compensation you need to provide the best possible care for your child.

Our team can help you pursue compensation for:

• Medical expenses, including ongoing treatment and therapy
• In-home care and special accommodations
• Pain and suffering for both the child and parents
• Lost income due to time away from work
• Costs associated with long-term care and rehabilitation

Contact us today at (210) 361-2997 to let our team help you recover your entitled compensation.