One of the ultimate joys in a new parent’s life is when the child is finally born. This time should be an extremely happy and exuberant time for the mother, parents, and family members.

Unfortunately for some new parents, medical malpractice during birth can cause a child to be physically harmed or injured. The joyous and happy feeling parents and family members initially experienced can quickly turn to fear, apprehension, and alarm.

Although some birth injuries occur naturally, due to no fault of medical professionals, some birth injuries are preventable and result from the negligence or medical malpractice of doctors.

Some of the common birth injuries may include but are not limited to cerebral palsy, oxygen deprivation, mental retardation, Erb’s palsy, Klumpke’s palsy, and brachial plexus damage.  Brachial plexus damage affects the nerves in an infant’s hands and feet. Erb’s palsy and Klumpke’s palsy are types of paralysis that can result from brachial plexus damage.

Other serious birth injuries may include spinal cord injury, fractured bones, facial paralysis, bacterial infections, and retinopathy of prematurity. Retinopathy of prematurity is the formation of abnormal blood vessels surrounding the eye’s retina. The condition of retinopathy of prematurity is found in some premature babies.

According to research, certain birthing methods that physicians or other medical practitioners use may increase the likelihood of a child suffering from a birth injury. Some of the methods which have reportedly caused childbirth injuries include cesarean section delivery, the use of obstetrical forceps, and a vacuum extraction.

While in some cases birth injuries resolve either on their own or with medical assistance, other birth injuries cause permanent and lifelong difficulties for the child. Caring for a child with birth injuries can be stressful and extremely expensive for families. Some of these children require additional medical care and supervision for the rest of their lives. These unanticipated financial expenses can cause a strain on family units.

When a birth injury occurs, new parents often find it difficult to get answers from the hospital or medical staff. Medical malpractice attorneys can help numerous families and parents get their questions answered when it comes to malpractice incidences, especially during cases of a childbirth injury. Parents and families do have the legal right to reach out to an experienced malpractice attorney.

Families and parents, with the help of experienced medical malpractice attorneys, may be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. A legal professional can help potential plaintiffs weigh the facts and circumstances of their case to determine if bringing a lawsuit is right for them.

Successful plaintiffs may receive compensation to help for pay for past and future medical bills associated with their child’s injuries. Monetary compensation from the lawsuit may also cover the child’s lost earnings, need for extraordinary care (beyond what the parents alone can provide), and the child’s pain and suffering.