One of the most tragic types of medical malpractice cases involves infants injured at the time of birth because of the negligence of a doctor, nurse, or health care professional. Some of these injuries can be life-long, and take a huge emotional as well as financial toll on victims and families. If you believe your child’s injuries were the result of another’s negligence, there are legal actions you can take. Contact an experienced birth injury attorney in Massachusetts to discuss your case.
Many birth injuries occur during complicated births, when physicians use vacuum extractors or forceps to assist the fetus through the birth canal. When these instruments are used correctly they can save the baby’s life, but when used carelessly they can result in skull fractures, nerve damage, cerebral palsy, and spinal cord injuries. Cerebral palsy and facial nerve damage are two of the most serious injuries that can result from improper handling of birth delivery instruments.
Because of the softness and vulnerability of the baby’s skull, it is extremely important for physicians to protect the head during birth. When they fail to do so, one result is traumatic brain injuries (TBI). TBIs vary in severity but can affect a child for the rest of his or her life. These injuries are often referred to as the silent epidemic because of their difficulty to detect. If you suspect your child may have suffered a TBI or another birth injury, visit a doctor and then get in touch with an experienced Massachusetts birth injury lawyer.