The joy that soon-to-be parents experience as they wait for their newborn to arrive can be exciting, but for many people this waiting period can also be full of trepidation. While no one wants to think about the possibility that something might go wrong either before, during or after the birth, the reality is the birth injuries do occur. What do Ohio residents need to know about birth injuries if their child has been affected?
For starters, it is important to know what a birth injury is, exactly – and what it isn’t. In most cases, something that is labeled a birth injury is a condition that arose due to some type of conduct during the actual birth process. If the medical issue arose before birth, it could be a birth defect, which is different.
Next, parents of a child who has suffered a birth injury will likely want to know if they can pursue any legal remedies. While that is certainly possible in some cases, it is important to have the facts of each unique situation reviewed. If it can be proven in court that the injury occurred due to the negligent or reckless actions of a healthcare professional involved, the parents may have a valid claim.
Lastly, parents who find themselves analyzing these types of scenarios with a legal professional should know that they are not alone. Birth injuries are, in fact, somewhat common. It is estimated that five out of every 1,000 babies born in America suffer from birth injuries.