Baltimore, MD Birth Injury Lawyers

Attorneys for Injuries Affecting Children or Mothers During Childbirth in Baltimore, MD

The birth of a child should be one of the most joyful events in a family's life. When medical professionals do not provide the level of care that mothers and newborns deserve, that joy can be shattered by serious injuries that can have ongoing consequences for a family. Birth injuries caused by medical negligence can affect a child's development, and in some cases, their physical capabilities may be affected for the rest of their life. Mothers who suffer serious injuries during labor and delivery may also face painful recoveries or ongoing health issues.

Families who have been affected by birth injuries may wonder whether the situation was preventable and who was responsible. At Silverman Thompson, our medical malpractice lawyers help families in Baltimore and throughout Maryland determine the causes of birth injuries and take steps to hold negligent medical providers accountable. With our help, families can obtain the compensation they need to address the harm they have suffered and provide ongoing care for their children.

Understanding Medical Negligence in Birth Injury Cases

Not every difficult birth involves negligence. Complications can occur even if the appropriate medical care was provided. However, when doctors, nurses, or other medical professionals are negligent and fail to follow the proper standards of care, families can take steps to address these issues and obtain compensation for birth injuries.

Birth Injuries That Affect Newborns

An infant's brain and body are vulnerable to injuries when labor is prolonged, when warning signs are ignored, or when medical procedures are not performed correctly. The injuries that occur as a result may include:

Oxygen Deprivation

A lack of oxygen during labor and delivery is among the most serious issues that can affect a newborn. When the brain does not receive enough oxygen due to umbilical cord compression, prolonged labor, placental abruption, or a failure to perform a timely cesarean section, the child may suffer serious brain injuries.

Severe oxygen deprivation can lead to a condition known as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, or HIE. This can cause the widespread death of brain cells, resulting in intellectual disabilities, seizure disorders, and developmental delays. When medical professionals fail to recognize signs of fetal distress or do not respond correctly to potential risks, they may be responsible for the brain damage that can occur as a result.

Cerebral Palsy

Damage to a child's brain due to oxygen deprivation or other issues can lead to cerebral palsy, a neurological condition that can affect movement, muscle tone, and coordination. Children with cerebral palsy may face a lifetime of challenges. They may experience spastic muscles, involuntary movements, difficulty walking, problems with speech and swallowing, intellectual disabilities, or epilepsy. The costs of providing care for a child with cerebral palsy can be enormous, and treatment may involve physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, assistive technology, and in-home support.

Traumatic Brain Injuries During Delivery

Skull fractures or other injuries to a child's head can occur during a difficult delivery. Assistive devices like vacuum extractors or forceps may be used with excessive force or at the wrong angle, which can lead to brain injuries or bleeding between the skull and brain. These issues can lead to neurological damage, seizures, and developmental issues.

Brachial Plexus Injuries and Erb's Palsy

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves running from the spinal cord through the neck and into the arm. During difficult deliveries that involve shoulder dystocia, a complication where the baby's shoulder becomes lodged in the birth canal, excessive pressure on the baby's head and neck can stretch or tear these nerves. This can lead to a condition known as Erb's palsy, which can range from temporary weakness to permanent paralysis of the affected arm.

Facial Nerve Injuries

Pressure on a newborn's face due to forceps use or delivery complications can injure the facial nerves, causing weakness or paralysis on one side of the face. These injuries can lead to facial asymmetry, problems with feeding, and eye impairments.

Infections and Sepsis

Newborns are highly vulnerable to infections that can be transmitted during delivery. Medical professionals are responsible for screening for and managing known infection risks. When a mother's infection is not identified, when a baby showing signs of infection is not promptly treated, or when a hospital does not use the proper infection control practices, issues such as neonatal sepsis or meningitis can lead to brain damage, hearing loss, or wrongful death.

Injuries That Mothers Suffer During Childbirth

Mothers may also be injured during labor and delivery. Maternal birth injuries can be life-threatening or cause permanent disabilities. Some maternal injuries that may occur due to medical negligence include:

Failure to Diagnose and Manage Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication involving high blood pressure. If it is not managed correctly, it can progress and cause seizures or dangerous disorders affecting the blood and liver. Medical providers are responsible for monitoring blood pressure and other warning signs throughout pregnancy and labor. A failure to diagnose preeclampsia or provide appropriate treatment can result in catastrophic harm to the mother, including stroke, organ failure, or death.

Vaginal Lacerations

Injuries affecting tissues around the vagina can occur due to negligent delivery practices, including the improper use of forceps or vacuum extraction, failure to perform an episiotomy when necessary, or other forms of negligence. Severe perineal injuries can cause chronic pain, bowel and bladder incontinence, sexual dysfunction, and other issues that may affect a mother's quality of life.

Postpartum Hemorrhage

Excessive bleeding after delivery is one of the leading causes of maternal death. Issues such as retained placental tissue, uterine rupture, and coagulation disorders can put a mother at risk of severe blood loss. When medical professionals fail to monitor a new mother for signs of hemorrhage or delay in providing treatment, serious harm can occur.

Cesarean Section Errors

When a safe vaginal delivery will not be possible, a cesarean section may be performed. Delays in performing a C-section due to a failure to recognize fetal distress, inadequate staffing at a hospital, or poor clinical judgment can lead to dangerous complications for the mother. Surgical errors may also be made during a cesarean delivery, including injuries to the bladder, bowel, or major blood vessels, and they can lead to ongoing medical issues.

Wrongful Birth Claims in Maryland

A wrongful birth claim is a type of legal action that may be available to parents when a healthcare provider did not provide them with the information they needed to make informed decisions about a pregnancy. These claims arise in situations where a provider failed to offer appropriate genetic testing, did not interpret the results of prenatal screening correctly, or failed to diagnose a fetal condition such as Down syndrome.

Maryland courts have recognized wrongful birth claims, and the damages available to parents in these cases may address the costs associated with raising a child with a serious disability. Medical professionals may be held accountable for their failure to provide the information that parents needed to make informed decisions about a pregnancy.

Contact Our Baltimore Birth Injury Attorneys

When a child has been injured due to medical negligence during labor and delivery, or when a mother has suffered harm during childbirth, the team at Silverman Thompson can stand with a family and fight to hold medical professionals and hospitals accountable. Attorneys Andrew Slutkin and Ethan Nochumowitz can provide the dedicated legal representation needed to resolve these cases successfully. Contact our Baltimore, MD childbirth injury lawyers at 410-385-2225 to arrange a free consultation today.