Types of Broken Bone Birth Injuries
When an expectant mother heads to the hospital for delivery, it is naturally a joyous day. The quality of care you receive in the hospital should never be a source of stress. Sadly, there are times when mothers and their newborn babies are subjected to negligent care during delivery.
If your child has been injured during delivery, our compassionate legal team at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C., can help you through this traumatic time. We know that your family has suffered a great deal as a result of this birth injury. This time in your life that was supposed to be wonderful may feel like a nightmare.
Our team of seasoned birth injury lawyers will help you seek the compensation you need to help your baby and your family recover. Call us today for a free consultation, and learn how we can take some of the stress off you during this difficult time.
Broken Bones During Childbirth
Infant fractures can sometimes result from natural birthing practices. However, in many cases, they are caused by medical mistakes during a difficult labor. Some of the most common types of newborn broken bones include:
- Clavicle fracture: Larger than average babies are more susceptible to suffering a clavicle fracture during birth. When a baby gets stuck in the birth canal, a clavicle fracture can occur. These fractures can also result from the improper or aggressive use of birthing tools such as forceps or vacuums.
- Humerus fracture: These injuries to the long bone in the upper arm can be noted by a lack of arm movement in a newborn. A delivery that is rushed by doctors can cause a humerus fracture. When the delivery is rushed, the baby’s head can be quickly pushed through the birth canal, but the neck and shoulders get stuck. When a delivery occurs too quickly, humerus fractures can result.
- Femur fracture: Femur fractures, or breaks in the thigh bone, are quite rare in newborns and are symptomatic of an improper delivery. Unlike other fractures, femur fractures during delivery have been associated with low birth. Cesarean sections can reduce the risk of a femur fracture but can have other risk factors.
- Depressed skull fracture: Depressed skull fracture injuries are rare and only occur in roughly 4 to 10 births per 10,000, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. This injury type has been heavily linked with the improper use of instruments in the birthing process and is rarely seen in deliveries where instruments are not used.
How Do Bones Get Broken During Birth?
While most doctors, nurses, and other medical staff show great care during childbirth, one negligent action can cause catastrophic and even life-threatening injuries. Some of the most common causes of infant fractures include:
- Prolonged labor
- Rushed labor
- Failure in recognizing and properly caring for a breech birth
- An infant being stuck behind the mother’s pubic bone, also known as shoulder dystocia
- Aggressive delivery techniques
- Improper use of delivery aids such as forceps and vacuums
Doctors or nurses who participated in the delivery may be held legally and financially responsible for the injuries they caused. Working with an experienced medical malpractice attorney can help you seek the appropriate compensation your family deserves.
Treatment of Broken Bone Birth Injuries
For certain birth injuries, such as a broken clavicle, little can be done. Extreme caution must be shown when lifting the injured baby, and the shoulder may be immobilized, but that is the extent of the treatment.
Other injuries will require the bone to be set or other healing measures like surgery. Back and neck injuries are considered to be the most serious birth fractures. Injuries of this type can lead to lifelong pain, disfigurement, or even death.
Broken bones are often accompanied by nerve damage in newborns. Nerve damage can cause the loss of sensation and paralysis, which can create lifelong complications. Damage to the network of nerves known as the brachial plexus is often associated with birth fractures and can have serious complications.
Emergency medical care may be necessary to treat your child’s birth injury, and your child might be facing a long road to recovery.
How a Birth Injury Lawyer Can Help If Your Child Has Been Hurt
If your child has suffered at the hands of negligent doctors or nurses, our team here at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C., can help you pursue justice and compensation. Medical professionals should operate at the highest standards and should be held accountable for any negligence.
We firmly believe that no parent should ever face financial hardship in order to cover the costs of their child’s birth injury. If your child has been injured by a negligent doctor or nurse, we can help you seek damages, including payment for:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
There is a time limit for how long you have to file a claim for compensation after a birth injury. So we encourage you to schedule a free consultation with our experienced birth injury lawyers as soon as possible.
Need Legal Advice About a Birth Injury? We Are Here to Help
Our respected legal team at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C., is committed to standing up for families who have been harmed during what should have been one of the most joyous moments of their lives. We will handle all the details of your case, including gathering evidence, consulting with medical specialists, documenting all your losses, and managing all communication with insurance adjusters and defense lawyers.
Our Chicago personal injury law firm has earned a stellar reputation for obtaining maximum results for our clients, and we are ready to fight for you now. Contact our attorneys today to learn how we can help your family seek justice. The consultation is free, and there is no charge unless we win your case.
