Washington DC Birth Malpractice Lawyer

A birth injury can manifest in many ways, ranging widely in severity. Common birth injuries include conditions such as cerebral palsy, brachial plexus injuries, and fractures, which are most frequently seen in newborns due to complications during delivery. Birth injuries occur during the delivery process, often as a result of medical negligence or mistakes made by healthcare providers. Some children recover fully, while others face lifelong disabilities. Our firm has extensive experience handling the full spectrum of these complex cases. Here are some of the more common types of birth injury frequently associated with medical negligence during labor and delivery in Washington, D.C.:

• Brain Injuries Due to Oxygen Deprivation
  The most catastrophic birth injuries often involve damage to the baby’s brain, typically caused by a lack of oxygen (asphyxia) during labor or delivery. Early brain development in infants is critical, and any injury to the baby’s brain at this stage can result in lifelong consequences, affecting cognitive, physical, and emotional development.
• Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE): This clinical diagnosis describes brain damage resulting from reduced oxygen and blood flow around the time of birth. HIE can range from mild to severe and is a primary cause of long-term neurological problems. Often, HIE occurs because fetal distress was not recognized or acted upon quickly enough, delaying necessary interventions like an emergency C-section. This is a tragically common type of birth injury.
• Cerebral Palsy (CP): Cerebral Palsy refers to a group of permanent movement disorders that affect muscle tone, posture, and coordination. While CP can have various causes, a significant portion of cases are directly linked to brain damage sustained during birth, often as a result of HIE. Cerebral palsy occurs when damage to a baby’s brain happens around the time of birth, underscoring the importance of early brain development for a child’s motor functions. A birth injury leading to CP means a lifetime of therapy, medical care, and potential limitations. Families often search for the best therapists and specialists “near me” to help their child. Investigating the cause of CP is crucial, as many cases stem from a preventable birth injury.
• Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL): This involves damage to the brain’s white matter, the nerve fibers that transmit signals. PVL is often seen in premature infants but can also result from oxygen deprivation or infection during birth, potentially indicating a birth injury related to negligent care.
• Nerve Damage During Delivery
  The physical forces involved in birth, especially a difficult one, can sometimes stretch or tear the delicate nerves in a baby’s neck, shoulder, or face. The brachial plexus nerves are a network of nerves that control movement and sensation in the arm and hand, and damage to these nerves can result in conditions like Erb’s palsy.
• Brachial Plexus Injuries (Erb’s Palsy / Klumpke’s Palsy): Erb’s palsy is a common birth injury caused by damage to the brachial plexus nerves during childbirth, often when a baby’s shoulder becomes lodged (shoulder dystocia) and excessive traction or improper maneuvers are used. This nerve damage specifically affects the upper arm, resulting in weakness or paralysis. Early diagnosis and treatment of Erb’s palsy and other brachial plexus nerve injuries are crucial to improve outcomes for affected children. Klumpke’s Palsy involves the lower arm and hand. Both types of injuries may require extensive physical therapy and sometimes surgery. A severe brachial plexus injury is a significant birth injury.
• Facial Nerve Palsy: Pressure on the baby’s face during labor or during forceps delivery can injure the facial nerve, leading to weakness or paralysis on one side of the face. While often temporary, it can sometimes be a permanent birth injury.
• Physical Trauma, Fractures, and Lacerations
  Excessive force or the improper use of instruments during delivery can cause direct physical harm.
• Fractures: The clavicle (collarbone) is the most commonly fractured bone during birth, often associated with shoulder dystocia. Skull fractures are a much more serious birth injury and can occur with difficult forceps or vacuum deliveries.
• Cephalohematoma: A collection of blood under the scalp, confined to one skull bone. Unlike general scalp swelling (caput succedaneum), a cephalohematoma is often caused by trauma from delivery instruments and carries a higher risk of complications like severe jaundice, which itself can lead to brain damage if untreated – another potential birth injury.
• Lacerations and Bruising: While minor bruising is common, deep cuts or extensive bruising, especially from forceps, can indicate excessive force was used, potentially constituting a birth injury.
• Infections Acquired During Birth
  Failure to screen for or appropriately treat maternal infections can lead to serious, life-threatening infections in the newborn.
• Group B Streptococcus (GBS): Standard practice requires screening pregnant women for GBS and administering antibiotics during labor if positive. Failure to follow this protocol can lead to GBS sepsis or meningitis in the baby, a severe and potentially fatal birth injury.
• Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV): If a mother has active genital herpes lesions during labor, a C-section is typically recommended to prevent transmission to the baby, which can cause severe neurological damage or death. Failure to recognize lesions or recommend a C-section can be negligence leading to a birth injury.
• Chorioamnionitis: An infection of the amniotic fluid and membranes, often requiring prompt delivery and antibiotics. Failure to diagnose or treat chorioamnionitis can lead to infection and brain damage in the baby, a serious birth injury.
  Identifying the specific type of birth injury is the first step; understanding why it happened is the crucial next step in determining if medical malpractice occurred.