At Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC, our Brooklyn Birth Injury Lawyer team has years of experience in handling birth injury cases. Birth injury is basically any type of injury or damage that occurs during childbirth. Our experience shows that while it is common for a baby to receive a minor injury during the birth process, these injuries will generally heal on their own without the need for further medical treatment. However, in some cases, a child can become severely injured during birth. This severe injury can include permanent brain injury or physical impairment and is many times caused by medical malpractice. If you or your child sustained a birth injury and you believe that doctor error may be the cause, call our Brooklyn Birth Injury Lawyer staff to discuss your legal options.
While most cases of birth injury are minor, there are many cases in which a severe birth injury can occur. These injuries can include cerebral palsy, Klumpke's Palsy, shoulder dystocia, Horner's Syndrome and Erb's Palsy. While there can be many causes for these types of injury, a common cause involves either a large fetus or a small birth canal. However, an astute obstetrician will see these risks and know how to minimize the danger. If you believe that your child's birth injury was caused by an inattentive or careless physician, call our Brooklyn Birth Injury Lawyer group at Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC to see about filing a medical malpractice claim against the negligent medical professionals.
In a normal delivery, the pressures exerted during birth can lead to a minor head injury like bruising and swelling. However, during a difficult birth, the physician may use tools to aid the process, such as forceps or vacuum extractors. Improper use of these devices can result in serious birth injury like a subdural hematoma, skull fracture, head injury and intracranial hemorrhage. According to our Brooklyn Birth Injury Lawyer team at Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC, babies who suffer from severe birth injury of this kind often require a lifetime of medical attention. If your child suffered a severe birth injury that may have been the result of a negligent medical staff, contact our Brooklyn Birth Injury Lawyer staff to discuss what legal options are available.
Another type of birth injury is nerve damage referred to as brachial plexus injury. This injury happens when a large infant has difficulty coming through the birth canal and is pulled by the arms to ease the process. During pulling, the shoulder is stretched too far causing nerve damage. This nerve damage can manifest itself in paralysis or weakness in the hand or arms. In most cases, this injury will heal in a few months. However, in severe cases, the child may need surgery, followed by physical therapy, to regain proper use of the limb. Even with surgery, brachial plexus nerve injury can cause the limb to lack the strength of an otherwise healthy limb. Additionally, it can lead to joint dysfunction, muscle atrophy, abnormal biomechanics, osteoarthritis, abnormal bone growth, limb length discrepancy, reduced dexterity, Horner’s Syndrome and scoliosis.
Cerebral palsy can occur during a difficult birth when the brain is injured. The most common symptom associated with cerebral palsy is neurological defects and loss of movement. Other symptoms include involuntary movement as well as scissor walking, unsteady balance, low muscle tone, plasticity, muscle spasm, speech impediment, seizures, blindness, hearing loss and bone deformities.
A doctor error or hospital mistake can occur during a difficult delivery. These mistakes can be improperly exposing the child to drugs, improperly using tools like vacuum extractors or forceps and not getting the child the proper amount of oxygen. It should be noted that severe cases of a birth injury may require long-term medical treatment. If you or your children are suffering from a severe birth injury, then you know that you face a long road ahead that's going to be filled with challenges. These type of injury impact not only the victim, but also the entire family. Our experienced New York Birth Injury Lawyer team will employ resources like prenatal care experts and review the birth records to help determine liability. Having our lawyers on your side can be crucial in helping your family receive the fair compensation you deserve for your child's birth injury, medical expenses and pain and suffering.
If you or someone you know is suffering from the effects of a birth injury, contact our experienced New York Injury Lawyer staff at Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC to discuss your legal options. Please call us at 800.696.9529, online or contact one of our New York City offices in Manhattan, Staten Island, Queens, the Bronx or Brooklyn, our New York office in Westchester County or one of our Long Island offices in Nassau County or Suffolk County.