Hollywood Park Birth Injury Attorney

Compassionate Guidance for Life-Changing Claims

At Maloney Law Group, P.L.L.C., we understand that welcoming a new child into your family should be a time filled with joy and excitement. However, when something goes wrong during the labor and delivery process, and your baby suffers a birth injury, that joy can quickly turn to devastation. The emotional, physical, and financial toll that a birth injury can impose on a family is immense. If your child has been affected by a birth injury in Hollywood Park, TX, you have the right to seek justice and compensation for the harm done. Our experienced birth injury lawyers are here to support you every step of the way.

To request a free case evaluation, call (210) 361-2997 or contact us online today. 

What is a Birth Injury?

A birth injury occurs when a baby is harmed during labor or delivery. These injuries can result from medical negligence or unavoidable complications. Some birth injuries are temporary and can heal over time, while others may lead to permanent disabilities or developmental delays. Regardless of the severity, birth injuries often require extensive medical care, therapy, and support, placing a significant burden on families.

Birth injuries differ from birth defects, which are caused by genetic conditions or developmental issues during pregnancy. Birth injuries, on the other hand, typically happen due to complications during the delivery process or errors made by healthcare providers.

Some of the most common types of birth injuries include:

• Cerebral Palsy: This is a neurological disorder that affects muscle coordination and motor skills. Cerebral palsy can result from oxygen deprivation during birth, trauma, or infections. It often leads to lifelong disabilities.
• Erb’s Palsy: This injury occurs when the brachial plexus nerves in the shoulder are damaged during delivery. It often results in weakness or paralysis in the affected arm.
• Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE): This condition occurs when the brain does not receive enough oxygen during birth, leading to brain damage. HIE can result in developmental delays, cognitive impairments, and other long-term issues.
• Fractures: In some difficult deliveries, a baby’s bones may be broken, especially the clavicle. While fractures can heal, they still cause significant pain and discomfort for the baby.
• Facial Nerve Damage: This can happen when too much pressure is applied to the baby's face during delivery, often with the use of forceps or vacuum extractors.
• Caput Succedaneum and Cephalohematoma: These are head injuries that occur due to pressure on the baby’s skull during delivery, resulting in swelling or bleeding under the scalp. These injuries are generally less serious but can still cause complications.
• Perinatal Asphyxia: This occurs when the baby doesn’t receive enough oxygen, potentially leading to severe neurological damage, organ failure, or even death.

Common Causes of Birth Injuries

Birth injuries can occur for various reasons, but many are preventable when medical professionals follow proper procedures. Several causes of birth injuries include:

• Medical Negligence: One of the leading causes of birth injuries is medical malpractice or negligence by healthcare providers. This can include improper use of delivery tools like forceps or vacuum extractors, failure to monitor the baby’s vital signs, or delayed decision-making in critical situations, such as performing a necessary C-section.
• Prolonged Labor: When labor takes too long, both the mother and the baby are at increased risk of injury. Prolonged labor can cause oxygen deprivation, excessive pressure on the baby’s body, and other complications.
• Oxygen Deprivation (Birth Asphyxia): Any delay in delivering the baby or complications with the umbilical cord can lead to oxygen deprivation. This is particularly dangerous because even a short period without oxygen can result in permanent brain damage.
• Improper Fetal Positioning: If a baby is in an unusual position, such as breech, during delivery, the risk of injury increases. Medical professionals must properly manage these situations to reduce the chance of complications.
• Failure to Diagnose or Treat Maternal Conditions: Conditions such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, or infections can increase the risk of birth injuries if not properly managed during pregnancy and delivery.
• Excessive Use of Labor-Inducing Drugs: Medications such as Pitocin can accelerate labor unnaturally, increasing the chances of injury to the mother or baby.

Who is Liable for a Birth Injury?

Determining who is liable for a birth injury can be complex, as many factors contribute to the events during childbirth. In most cases, the individuals or entities responsible for a birth injury include:

• Doctors and Nurses: Medical professionals, including obstetricians, nurses, and other healthcare providers, can be held accountable if they fail to provide the standard of care required. This could include errors during delivery, improper use of medical tools, or mismanagement of complications.
• Hospitals: The hospital where the birth occurred can also be held liable if the facility’s policies or equipment were inadequate, or if hospital staff were improperly trained or supervised.
• Pharmaceutical Companies: In some cases, defective drugs or medical devices used during childbirth may contribute to birth injuries. If this is the case, pharmaceutical companies or device manufacturers may be held liable.

How a Hollywood Park Birth Injury Lawyer Can Help

Our team will work to investigate your case, gather evidence, and determine who is responsible for your child’s injury. We understand that every birth injury case is unique, and we take a personalized approach to ensure your family receives the justice and compensation you deserve.

You may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses, including past, present, and future costs related to your child’s treatment
• Costs of therapy, rehabilitation, and specialized care
• Pain and suffering experienced by both the child and the parents
• Loss of income, if a parent has to take time off work to care for the child
• Expenses related to special education or long-term care needs

Contact us today at (210) 361-2997 to schedule a free consultation.