Birth Defects and Newborn Injuries

Birth injuries are devastating and heartbreaking for everyone involved. The treatment of birth defects and birth injuries can be an on-going, long term experience. Sadly, children with birth injuries may always be dependent on caregivers and cost of providing for their needs can be overwhelming. If your child suffers from a birth defect or injury that you believe may be the result of medical malpractice or negligence, it is vital that you seek appropriate legal counsel immediately. Typically the parents of children with birth defects can recover the following expenses for their child:

• Medical expenses
• Future loss of earnings
• Extraordinary Care
• Pain and Suffering

It is important to ensure that your child has the means to receive proper and adequate care for the duration of his or her life. Not all birth defects and injuries are the result of negligence. Sometimes the physicians and medical staff follow protocols to the letter and a negative outcome still results. However only an experienced birth defect attorney can make the assessment on whether the negative outcome rises to the level of negligence.

Florida Birth Defect and Newborn Injury Attorneys

Lisa Levine focuses in the areas of medical malpractice that affect women, including failure to diagnose breast and cervical cancer, plastic surgery errors, birth injuries, delivery room negligence and defective drugs used by women. She prides herself on her dedication to women’s health issues, and has been featured on Good Morning America and NBC News.

Mark Glassman focuses a great deal of his practices on injuries resulting from defective and dangerous drugs, as well as pharmaceutical litigation, and wrongful death litigation. Mr. Glassman has been involved in pharmaceutical cases involving the infamous diet drug, Fen-Phen, and his cases have been highlighted in professional journals such as The Daily Business Review and Contractor Magazine.

Birth Defects and Newborn Injuries Information Center

• What is the definition of birth defects?
• What are the most common types of birth defects?
• What are some of the main causes of birth defects?
• How do you treat birth defects?
• How we can help

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What is the definition for birth defects?

A birth defect is a congenital defect or abnormality of structure, function, or body metabolism that is present at the time of birth.

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What are the most common types of birth defects?

• Cerebral Palsy- motor condition that can affect the brain and nervous system functions such as movement, hearing and cognitive abilities.
• Erb’s Palsy- Paralysis of the arm caused by an injury to the upper brachial plexus.
• Klumpke Palsy- paralysis of the forearm and hand caused by injury to the lower brachial plexus
• Brachial Plexus- the brachial plexus is a network of nerves located in the shoulder, arm and hand. Brachial plexus injuries are caused by damage to the nerves and it could result in paralysis or difficulty controlling the arm, hand and shoulder.
• Brain Injury / Head Trauma – Swelling of the scalp, bruising, bleeding in the brain, or hemorrhages
• Facial Paralysis – Caused by damaged facial nerve fibers due to pressure on the baby’s face during labor or birth.
• Prenatal Asphyxia – Respiratory failure in a newborn, caused by a lack of oxygen before, during, or just after birth.

If you or a loved one has suffered due to any of these birth-related injuries, it’s important to utilize the services of an experienced medical malpractice attorney to determine if the health care provider was negligent, and to aid in the recovery of financial compensation.

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What are some of the main causes of birth defects?

Most of the birth defects stem from operative delivery which means the physician employs vacuum extraction, obstetrical forceps or cesarean section also known as a C-Section to complete delivery of the child. Several complications can occur during the delivery of a child and these complications can result in birth defects. Some of the complications are:

• Oxygen Deprivation due to a ompressed umbilical cord or the umbilical cord wrapped around the babies neck. Also oxygen deprivation can result from the baby being left in the birth canal too long.
• Excessive force or improper rotation of the baby during delivery
• Failure to properly monitor and respond to the mother’s condition
• Improper intubation of a newborn that requires oxygen
• Failure to diagnose and treat fetal distress
• Delivery Room Negligence
• Neonatal intensive-care (NICU) negligence

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How do you treat birth defects?

Some birth defects are severe and long lasting. There might not be an effective treatment or cure for the child’s condition. However there are some treatments and therapies that can improve the child’s quality of life. Common treatments for children with birth defects are:

• physical therapy
• psychological counseling
• special education and training
• therapeutic equipment to aid with mobility
• caregivers and aides to care for the child as he or she ages

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How we can help

The attorneys at Levine & Glassman, P.A., are experienced and knowledgeable about all kinds of malpractice law, including birth defects and newborn injuries. We will take the time to listen to your concerns and give your case the attention it deserves. If your child has been injured during or shortly after child birth, you have a limited time to file your claim. You should call (954) 332-6100 or fill out our online case evaluation form immediately to schedule your free consultation.

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Resources

BirthInjury.Org -A non-profit organization providing support for families whose lives have been affected by brachial plexus injury, brain injury, or cerebral palsy.

The Compassionate Friends - A non-profit organization that assists families following the death of a child.

Levine & Glassman, P.A. | Florida Birth Injury Attorneys

If your child has suffered from a birth injury, you need to ensure you are well represented. The complications suffered could have been avoided and may have lasting consequences that can affect your child’s quality of life for years to come. The attorneys at Levine & Glassman are experienced medical malpractice attorneys and are able to ensure that you receive fair compensation for the damages your child has suffered. If you are anywhere in Florida, including: Fort Lauderdale, Miami, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, or the surrounding areas of Broward, Miami-Dade, or Palm Beach counties, contact Levine & Glassman for an analysis of your newborn injury case.