Every day, thousands of children are born in the United States. In most cases, these are joyous events as families welcome a new member, children get introduced to a new sibling, and parents prepare to bring a child home. Unfortunately, there are a variety of complications that can occur during labor and delivery, and in some cases, these issues can result in serious harm to a baby, a mother, or both. When birth injuries are caused by mistakes or negligence by health care providers, a family may be left wondering what happened and what options they have for addressing the harm that has been done.
How Common Are Birth Injuries?
North American Community Hub Statistics has compiled data related to birth injuries in the United States, and these statistics reveal that injuries are more common than many people may realize. While injuries only occur in around seven out of every 1,000 births, this can add up to a large number of children and mothers who are injured. Since there are around 3.6 million births in the United States each year, this suggests that more than 25,000 birth injuries occur on an annual basis.
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Birth injuries are the fourth-leading cause of infant mortality, contributing to approximately 20 percent of all infant deaths in the United States. Research has also found that over 80 percent of birth injuries are moderate to severe, requiring long-term medical care for children.
Common Types of Birth Injuries
Birth injuries can range from mild, temporary conditions to permanent disabilities. Some of the injuries that occur most often during labor and delivery include:
- Fractured Collarbone:Â This is one of the most common birth injuries, and it may occur when a baby struggles to pass through the birth canal. It can occur in between 0.2% and 4.5% of all deliveries.
- Brachial Plexus Injuries: The nerves in a baby’s shoulder, back, and upper arm can be damaged during delivery when too much force is used to move a child through the birth canal. These injuries can lead to Erb's palsy, a disability that may affect movement in the arm and hand. Brachial plexus injuries occur approximately two to three times for every 1,000 births in the United States.
- Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE): This condition can be caused by oxygen deprivation during birth, and it can cause extensive damage to a child’s brain. Between one and six of every 1,000 children born in the U.S. experience this condition.
- Cerebral Palsy:Â Brain injuries from HIE or other causes during labor and delivery can lead to developmental disorders that will affect children throughout their lives. About three out of every 1,000 children in the United States have cerebral palsy.
The Effects of Birth Injuries on Children, Mothers, and Families
The consequences of a birth injury can last for months or years. A child who suffers a severe injury may require corrective surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and other forms of treatment. If injuries result in permanent disabilities, a child may need assistive devices, occupational therapy, and specialized education. A child with cerebral palsy may face challenges with mobility, communication, and other daily activities, and may require ongoing support and medical treatment throughout their entire life.
Mothers can also be affected by birth injuries. They may experience harm due to hemorrhaging, organ damage, or problems with bladder and bowel function. Some injuries may be severe enough to cause permanent disabilities, and victims may also experience significant emotional distress.
The financial burdens that families may experience after birth injuries can be overwhelming. Ongoing rehabilitation and other forms of therapy for a child may cost hundreds of dollars per session. Additional expenses may be required to address medical equipment, wheelchairs or other assistive devices, and home modifications. In addition to paying medical bills, parents may need to reduce the amount of time they spend at work so that they will be able to provide care for a child. This can lead to lost income on top of other expenses.
Compensation for Birth Injury Victims
Families who have been affected by birth injuries may take steps to recover financial compensation for the damages that have been caused by medical negligence. The compensation they receive may address:
- Medical Expenses:Â Compensation may cover past and future costs for surgeries, hospitalization, medications, therapy, medical equipment, or other costs related to medical care.
- Lost Income:Â Parents may be compensated for income lost when they need to reduce their work hours to provide care for a child or for other issues that may affect the amount of income they can earn.
- Pain and Suffering:Â Compensation may address the physical pain and emotional distress experienced by the child, the mother, or both.
- Wrongful Death Damages: When a birth injury results in the death of an infant or a mother, other family members may address their loss through a wrongful death claim. This type of claim may provide compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of companionship, and the financial support the deceased person would have provided for their family.
Legal Help with Birth Injuries
When dealing with the aftermath of a birth injury, family members will often have many questions about who was responsible and what steps they can take to address the harm that has been done and provide for a child’s ongoing needs. An attorney who handles medical malpractice cases can review medical records, consult with medical professionals, and take steps to show that an injury was caused by the negligence of doctors, nurses, or other people involved in a child’s birth. They can work with a family to obtain the compensation needed to move forward after a serious birth injury.
