Hundreds of Millions of Dollars Have Been Recovered for Injured Babies and Children
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The medical malpractice team here at The Child and Birth Injury Firm has cared about children and families in Erie, PA, for decades. We know how important it is for parents to learn about things like birth injuries in a kind, clear way—but some facts can surprise even longtime locals. How common are birth injuries around here? What do families need to watch for? And why should we pay attention?
A birth injury is any harm that a baby suffers during the labor and delivery process. This isn’t just a simple scrape or bruise; we’re talking about more serious things that can change a child’s life forever. Sometimes, these injuries are unavoidable, but other times, they happen because something went wrong that could have been prevented. We’re talking about medical mistakes that can cause lifelong issues for a child and their family.
Let’s start with Erie… The numbers tell a story about the health of our community.
Between 2014 and 2016, there were 9,346 babies born in Erie County. That’s a lot of little ones! Most of those births were to mothers between the ages of 20 and 34, which is a very common age to have a baby. But here’s a number not many people talk about: 66 infants died in Erie between 2020 and 2022. That’s an infant mortality rate of 6.9 deaths per 1,000 live births, which is a bit higher than the state average during that same period. That number matters because infant deaths can sometimes be linked to the same problems that cause birth injuries, like issues with the pregnancy or problems during delivery.
Why Erie’s Birth Injury Numbers Matter. When our medical malpractice team talks about birth injuries, we don’t always have Erie-specific birth injury stats because the state doesn’t publish a count of birth injuries at the county level. But we do know that nationally, about seven babies per 1,000 experience a birth injury.
That might not sound like a lot—but imagine an Erie with over 2,600 births a year. That means dozens of families right here could experience a birth injury every year. Some of those injuries may tie to preterm birth, low birth weight, or lack of early prenatal care—all local stats that help paint a picture.
Here are some important numbers that many people overlook, but they can tell us a lot about birth risks in the Erie community.
Preterm Births: Preterm birth means a baby is born too early, before 37 weeks. In Erie County, the preterm birth rate has been consistently higher than the state average. Between 2021 and 2023, Erie County's preterm birth rate was 10.2%, while the state average was 9.7%. This is a big deal because babies born too early are at a much higher risk for health problems and birth injuries.
Low Birth Weight: Low birth weight is when a baby is born weighing less than 5.5 pounds. In 2023, 9% of babies born in Erie were low birth weight. That may sound small, but nationally, babies born at a very low birth weight (under 3.3 pounds) are more than 100 times more likely to have a birth injury than a baby born at a healthy weight.
C-Sections: A Cesarean section, or C-section, is a surgery to deliver a baby. In Erie, the C-section rate is around 37.9%. This is much higher than it used to be. While C-sections can be life-saving, they are also a major surgery and can sometimes lead to complications that cause birth injuries.
Prenatal Care: We were glad to learn that around 79% of moms in Erie received prenatal care in their first trimester. That's a good number! But it also means that 21% of moms did not get that early care, and studies show that getting early prenatal care is one of the best ways to help prevent birth complications.
These numbers matter because birth injuries happen more often when babies come early, weigh little, or when the birth doesn’t go smoothly. The stats show us where the natural risk is higher in Erie—especially among very low-birth-weight babies, or when prenatal care is delayed.
The medical malpractice team at The Child and Birth Injury Firm wants families to know the basics, in plain talk:
A medical malpractice birth injury is not something that just happens. It’s often the result of a chain of events. Maybe a doctor didn’t notice a baby was in distress, or maybe they didn’t act quickly enough when a problem came up. For example, if a baby’s brain isn’t getting enough oxygen during delivery, a doctor needs to act fast to prevent a brain injury like cerebral palsy. We have seen many cases where a brain injury could have been prevented if a doctor had just paid closer attention or had done a C-section sooner.
Here’s what your neighbors aren’t always talking about—simple steps that can really help:
Our medical malpractice team has helped families for decades. We’ve seen how quickly things can go wrong—but we’ve also seen how families who know their rights—and act early—can protect their child’s future.
Birth injuries happen more than people think: About 7 per 1,000 babies nationally—and dozens likely in Erie every year.
Prematurity, low weight, and delayed prenatal care raise risks: Erie has a higher rate of preterm births and low-birth-weight babies than the state average.
Early action and awareness can help: It's crucial to monitor your baby's health, get early prenatal care, and ask questions.
We're here to help: If something happened, our team can talk you through the next steps.
Our team, at The Child and Birth Injury Firm, has decades of experience, and we know families in Erie trust us to speak clearly, kindly, and with real expertise. Helping you understand these birth injury risks—that’s what truly matters.
This is the central hub for Early Intervention (EI) services in Erie for children aged birth to three. ECCM provides free evaluations and connects families with the right therapists and programs
Website: https://www.eccm.org/
The Barber National Institute offers a highly-regarded “Bright Beginning Early Intervention Program.” They have a team of specialists who provide physical, occupational, and speech therapy for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities
Website: https://www.barberinstitute.org/
This center provides a wide range of therapeutic services for children up to age 21. Their pediatric team specializes in treating conditions like cerebral palsy and other birth-related neurological issues
Website: https://www.achievementctr.org/
This is a local practice in Erie that provides specialized pediatric physical, occupational, and speech therapy. They use a team-based approach to help children with a variety of movement and communication challenges.
Website: https://niagaratherapyllc.com/
While the main hospital is in Pittsburgh, UPMC Children’s has specialty care locations in Erie, which allow families to access top-tier pediatric specialists and services without having to travel for every appointment.
Website: https://www.chp.edu/locations/
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Erie County’s preterm birth rate (babies born before 37 weeks) has been slightly higher than the state average. This is a crucial statistic because premature babies are at a much greater risk for certain birth injuries, even when a delivery is handled flawlessly. One of the most common and severe issues is Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE), which is a brain injury caused by a lack of oxygen. Another common injury is intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), which is bleeding in the brain. IVH can range from minor to severe, with the most severe cases potentially leading to cerebral palsy or other long-term disabilities.
While C-sections can save lives and prevent many birth injuries, they are not without risks. A high C-section rate, like the one in Erie County, can indicate a number of things. It may mean doctors are acting cautiously to prevent injury, or it could suggest that medical teams are not skilled at managing certain high-risk vaginal deliveries. A common risk with C-sections is delayed intervention. If a doctor waits too long to perform a C-section when a baby is in distress, it can lead to a lack of oxygen, causing brain damage. Conversely, an unnecessary C-section carries its own risks, including potential injuries to the baby from surgical tools.
It is a common misconception that all medical malpractice  birth injuries are due to medical negligence. While negligence is a factor in many cases, some injuries are a result of complex medical conditions. When a birth injury is genetic or developmental, it's critical to connect with support networks right away. In Erie, resources like the Erie County Care Management (ECCM) and the Barber National Institute are invaluable. These organizations specialize in early intervention and can provide free evaluations and a range of therapies, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy. They also connect families with support groups and educational resources to help them navigate their child’s condition.
Erie County has a higher rate of obesity compared to the state average. Obesity in mothers is a significant risk factor for a number of birth complications, including shoulder dystocia. Shoulder dystocia occurs when a baby's shoulders get stuck in the birth canal after the head has been delivered. This requires a doctor to perform specific maneuvers to free the baby. If a doctor uses too much force or fails to perform the correct maneuvers, it can lead to a brachial plexus injury like Erb's palsy, which causes nerve damage to the baby's arm. This is a direct example of how a common health issue in the community can increase the risk of a specific type of birth injury if not managed with proper care.
Medical staffing shortages can have a direct and serious impact on patient care, especially during labor and delivery. While no public data specifically links staffing levels at local Erie hospitals to medical malpractice birth injuries, we can draw from national trends. When hospitals are understaffed, nurses may be responsible for more patients than they can safely manage. This can lead to missed signs of fetal distress or a delayed response to an emergency.
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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