Hundreds of Millions of Dollars Have Been Recovered for Injured Babies and Children
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Our Medical Malpractice Lawyers at The Child and Birth Injury Firm have spent decades helping children and families across Northeastern Pennsylvania. Today, we’re chatting about birth injuries in the Scranton | Wilkes-Barre (NEPA) area. We’ll share surprising local data, explain why it’s essential, and show how families can protect their little ones.
A birth injury is any physical harm a baby suffers just before, during, or right after being born. While some scrapes and bruises are common, a birth injury is more serious. We’re talking about things that can cause lifelong health problems for a child, like a lack of oxygen to the brain, broken bones, or nerve damage. These are the kinds of medical malpractice injuries that can make a family’s life much harder, both emotionally and financially. Our goal isn’t just to talk about legal stuff, but to help you understand the risks and how to protect your child, right here in NEPA.
When you think about the Scranton | Wilkes-Barre area, you probably think about families and community. It’s a great place to live, but just like anywhere, it’s essential to understand the health facts that matter to new parents.
Let’s start with local stats. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the combined area of Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties saw over 1,500 live births in a recent year. That’s a lot of new little lives! Now, not every birth sees a problem. Still, birth injuries can affect about 7 out of every 1,000 babies across Pennsylvania and the U.S. So, in our area, that can mean dozens of families dealing with a severe issue every year.
Here are some things that people don’t often mention, but they are a big deal for understanding birth injuries.
Low Birth Weight: This is when a baby is born weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces. Statewide, about 8.3% of babies are born with a low birth weight. Low birth weight babies are more fragile and are at a higher risk of injuries because their bodies can’t handle the stress of labor and delivery as well as a full-size baby.
Late Prenatal Care: In Lackawanna County, about 80% of births got early and proper prenatal care. That’s a good number! But it also means that nearly 20% of moms didn’t get that early care, and that can raise risks for both the mom and the baby.
The Big Picture: We don’t have exact Scranton | Wilkes-Barre numbers for birth injuries, but we do know that many of them come from things like preterm births, low-weight babies, or missed warning signs during labor. A doctor's job is to watch for these signs and act quickly. When they don't, it can lead to a preventable injury.
From what physical therapists, doctors, and families have taught us, here are some common causes:
In Pennsylvania, babies face some kind of injury in more than 6.6 per 1,000 births. And things get worse when a baby is stuck too long or not watched closely enough.
We want you to feel empowered. Here’s what we suggest:
Birth injuries are not rare. With about 7 out of every 1,000 babies affected, many families in NEPA experience this.
Local risk factors matter. Our region has a significant number of moms who start prenatal care late, and a good number of babies with low birth weight. These are things that can increase the risk of a birth injury.
Our team brings experience and trust. We've helped local families for decades and know NEPA families deserve clear guidance and support. We are here to help you understand your rights and options if a birth injury has affected your child.
Early Intervention (EI) is a free program for children from birth to age three with developmental delays or disabilities. This is often the most critical first step for families, as it provides a team of therapists who can work with your child at home. In the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area, these services are managed by the individual counties.
Lackawanna County Early Intervention Program: The Advocacy Alliance facilitates EI evaluation teams for Lackawanna County, providing a crucial entry point for families seeking services.
Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18: This organization provides early intervention services for Luzerne and Wyoming Counties for children from birth to age five. They help families and children with developmental delays or disabilities.
Allied Services is a leading provider of rehabilitation and specialized care in Northeastern Pennsylvania. They have dedicated pediatric centers in both Scranton and Wilkes-Barre that are well-equipped to handle the unique needs of children with birth injuries.
Scranton Pediatric Center: This location offers comprehensive physical, occupational, and speech therapy for newborns to young adults.
Wilkes-Barre Pediatric Center: This center also provides specialized rehabilitation services, including aquatic therapy, for children with neurological or other birth-related injuries.
For children diagnosed with cerebral palsy or other related disabilities, UCP of NEPA is an invaluable resource. They provide a range of services for children and adults, with a long history of expertise in the field of cerebral palsy.
UCP of NEPA: This organization offers various support services to help individuals with cerebral palsy and other disabilities reach their full potential.
While not in Scranton or Wilkes-Barre, Geisinger’s Janet Weis Children’s Hospital in Danville is a top-tier regional resource. They have a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and provide specialized care for complex cases, including brain injuries and neurological conditions that result from a difficult birth.
Geisinger Janet Weis Children's Hospital: This hospital offers advanced pediatric rehabilitation and a comprehensive team of specialists to provide care for the most challenging cases.
Birth injuries affect about 7 out of every 1,000 live births across the U.S. and Pennsylvania. While specific numbers for Scranton and Wilkes-Barre are not released, we know that there are over 1,500 births in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties combined each year. This suggests that dozens of families in the region are likely affected by a birth injury annually. The types of injuries most common here are similar to those seen elsewhere, including Cerebral Palsy, Erb's Palsy, and Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE). These injuries are often caused by issues like lack of oxygen to the baby's brain, improper use of delivery tools like forceps or vacuum extractors, or a doctor's delay in performing a necessary C-section.
Several health statistics for Lackawanna and Luzerne counties, as reported by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, highlight risk factors for birth injuries. One often-overlooked statistic is maternal health and prenatal care. In Luzerne County, about 30% of mothers do not receive early prenatal care, which can lead to undiagnosed conditions that increase birth complications. A baby's size is also a risk factor. When a baby is very large, it can get stuck during delivery, a condition called shoulder dystocia. This can lead to a brachial plexus injury like Erb's palsy.
While not every birth injury is due to a medical mistake, medical negligence is a leading cause of preventable birth injuries. According to national data, medical negligence accounts for about 40% of all birth injury claims. Common examples include a doctor failing to monitor a baby's vital signs, a medical team waiting too long to perform an emergency C-section, or the improper use of delivery tools. A well-known local case in Lackawanna County resulted in a multi-million-dollar settlement for a child who suffered a severe brain injury, serving as a reminder that preventable mistakes can and do happen, even at respected hospitals.
The signs of a birth injury can range from easy-to-spot physical issues to more subtle developmental delays. Parents should be on the lookout for signs such as a floppy or weak arm, which could signal a brachial plexus injury; a high-pitched or unusual cry, which can be a sign of a brain injury; or difficulty eating or swallowing. Other signs might include a baby who doesn't track objects with their eyes, or a noticeable lack of movement on one side of their body. It's important for parents to bring any of these concerns to their pediatrician right away. Early diagnosis and intervention are critical for a child's best possible outcome.
Catastrophic child and birth injuries can shatter the lives of not just the babies and children, but also their families. Families are left to navigate a complex maze of medical challenges, financial burdens, and emotional turmoil. But, this is where Jeffrey Killino and his team of dedicated lawyers can provide the support and guidance families need most.
For over 2 decades, Jeffrey Killino and his team have secured life-changing results for babies and children facing catastrophic injuries. Our clients gain access to the best medical care, financial security, and peace of mind, knowing their futures are protected.
Jeffrey Killino and his team of child and birth injury lawyers are committed to go beyond securing multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. We measure our success by our positive impact on our clients’ lives. We’re dedicated to supporting them throughout their journey, even after their case is resolved.
Jeffrey Killino and his team of child and birth injury lawyers are committed to more than just securing multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. We measure our success by our positive impact on our clients’ lives, helping them access the best medical care, achieve financial security, and find peace of mind. We also actively work to prevent injuries and promote safety for everyone.
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