The birth of a child should be one of the happiest moments in any parent’s life. But when something goes wrong due to a doctor or nurse’s negligence, it can be traumatic for the whole family. As a birth defect TN lawyer for over 30 years, I know the heavy emotional and financial toll a birth injury can bring. Shockingly, it’s not unusual for families affected by a birth injury like cerebral palsy to end up spending a million dollars or more on related medical costs.

This topic can be extremely difficult to talk about, especially if you are experiencing it personally, but being informed can sometimes make all the difference. Below are three important birth injuries facts you may not be aware of.

1. Birth injuries are different from birth defects.

I’ve noticed a lot of people get confused between birth injuries and birth defects. Both can be devastating, and both may result in the same symptoms and require similar treatments. But they are different on a legal level.

A birth defect is a medical condition that forms in the womb during pregnancy. Many are genetic and cannot be prevented. Others are the result of lifestyle choices like smoking, drug use, or alcohol consumption. Doctors can test for birth defects throughout the pregnancy.

A birth injury, on the other hand, is not a condition a baby is born with. It is an injury that occurs before, during, or after delivery. Sadly, many birth injuries are avoidable and stem from negligence or communication errors on the medical team’s part. Common birth injuries include:

  • cerebral palsy due to deprivation of oxygen
  • other types of palsy
  • spinal injury
  • skull fracture
  • and more

These injuries can last a lifetime and lead to medical bills and other costs that never seem to end.

2. Mothers can also sustain birth injuries.

Mothers can also suffer injuries from childbirth, both mental and physical — even wrongful death. Common physical injuries include the following:

  • Abnormal uterine bleeding
  • Broken bones or bruising
  • Uterine rupture

They can be extremely emotionally challenging for a mother in the first weeks with her newborn. They can also bring a cascade of procedures, therapies, and medications a family didn’t plan for.  

3. You can take legal action for birth injuries.

Although a financial settlement for a birth injury cannot take away the emotional pain of the experience, it can help you or your baby get the quality of care you need. Families dealing with birth injuries can face endless doctor’s appointments, medication, therapies, and other expenses.

If you’ve experienced a preventable birth injury that was a result of malpractice, you shouldn’t have to shoulder the financial burden of treatment. An experienced birth injury TN lawyer can help you determine if you’re entitled to compensation.

Contact a birth injury TN lawyer today for a FREE consultation.

If you suspect your newborn or their mother was injured due to someone else’s negligence, you need a compassionate lawyer on your side. At Darrell Castle & Associates, we understand that it can be a traumatic experience to deal with a birth injury while trying to get justice.

Contact us online or call 901-327-2100 to schedule a FREE consultation with an experienced birth injury lawyer TN trusts. We can answer any questions you have, and we will be with you through every step of the process if you choose to proceed with a case.

If your family has experienced a birth injury, we know you carry a tremendous burden on your shoulders every day. We will do everything we can to help relieve some of that burden and get you the justice you deserve.