Fort Myers Birth Injury Lawyer
There are few scenarios more traumatic than the birth of a child who becomes seriously injured in the process. If your medical team made a mistake, you have a right to seek a level of compensation in line with the damages caused to you and your child. The Fort Myers birth injury lawyer at Cardinal Law, P.A. can help you take the next steps.
What is a Birth Injury?
A birth injury, as opposed to a genetic or other natural disorder/illness, is caused during delivery. Some types of birth injuries, such as minor bruising, are very common. Even moderately alarming injuries, such as forceps marks or caput succedaneum—the bruising of the scalp—often heal on their own within a short period of time. Certain deliveries are more challenging than others, requiring doctors and nurses to use certain procedures, such as vacuum and forceps, that would otherwise be unnecessary. In some of these cases, a certain degree of injury cannot be avoided. In others, however, the medical team that delivered your child may have acted negligently. If so, a skilled Fort Myers birth injury lawyer will prove wrongdoing and hold the responsible party accountable in a personal injury claim.
Common Birth Injuries
- Brachial palsy—This is an injury to the nerves that control the arms and hands. Brachial palsy often occurs when there is a problem delivering the baby’s shoulder. Brachial palsy can cause loss of movement of the arm due to swelling around the nerves, potentially resulting in permanent nerve damage.
- Facial paralysis—Excessive force to the baby’s face can cause facial paralysis due to either a bruised or torn nerve. Bruised nerves heal on their own, while torn nerves often require surgery.
- Caput succedaneum—Less severe than many other types of birth injuries, caput succedaneum is characterized by significant swelling of the tissue on the baby’s scalp due to a difficult delivery through the birthing canal.
- Cephalohematoma—Cephalohematoma is bleeding between the skull and the fibrous tissue covering the skull. The lump and potential discoloration caused by this usually goes away within a few weeks.
- Fractured bones—Bone fractures can be a result of excessive force, and may be a form of medical malpractice. The most common bone to fracture during delivery is the collarbone.
The above injuries are some of the more common and less severe injuries that occur during birth. More serious injuries, such as brain damage caused by lack of oxygen, can result in much worse outcomes. No matter the severity of injury caused to your baby, we encourage you to speak to a lawyer.
Contact a Fort Myers Birth Injury Lawyer Today
Birth injuries may require surgery, additional time in the hospital, and other medical expenses. They may also result in pain and suffering, or even permanent scarring, disfigurement, or disability for your child. A Fort Myers birth injury lawyer at Cardinal Law, P.A. can help you seek compensation by holding the hospital fully accountable for a doctor or other staff member’s errors. Call us today at 844-874-PAIN to schedule a free consultation.
