Although a majority of births in the United States result in a healthy baby or babies and happy parents and family and friends, researchers say that five in every 1,000 births result in a birth injury. Furthermore, studies show that up to 7 percent of children born have some form of birth defect, though a majority of these are minor.
Some of the most common birth injuries are cerebral palsy and Erb’s palsy.
Cerebral palsy typically occurs as a result of an injury to the brain, either while still in the womb or during a delivery, due to head trauma, a lack of oxygen, or even from an improper use of prescription drugs during the pregnancy.
Erb’s palsy results from an injury to the brachial plexus, a group of nerves located between the arms and the spine. This condition typically occurs during delivery when excessive pressure is applied to the baby’s shoulder, neck or head.
Both conditions, depending on their severity, can have significant long term or life-long ramifications. Considering a newborn’s inability to communicate, it may be difficult to diagnose these injuries, though there are some common symptoms that could help doctors recognize the injury.
If your child has been the victim of a personal injury due to birth injury, you may be entitled to compensation for the medical expenses associated with the injury as well as rehabilitation and therapy costs. In addition, you may be able to receive money for pain and suffering for both yourself and the injured child.