As an expectant parent, you want nothing more than for your child to be born healthy. Often, the only thing more heartbreaking than a child being born with a health problem is a child who suffers one because of negligence on the part of the delivering physician or another medical professional.

A child can suffer from physical or mental problems later in life as the result of a birth injury, depending on how he or she was injured. In some cases, a child suffers from both types of issue. These may be correctable with medical intervention or they may be permanent, following the child into adulthood and lasting his or her entire life. If your child was injured at birth or shortly after, speak with an experienced medical malpractice lawyer about your right to seek compensation for your damages through a birth injury claim.

The Child May be Paralyzed or Suffer Other Physical Disabilities

When a newborn is handled too roughly or extraction equipment is not used correctly, the infant can be paralyzed. In less dire situations, the newborn may suffer a broken arm, leg, or another broken bone.

One commonly reported type of injury is brachial plexus injuries. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that stretches from the spinal column through the arms, reaching the hands. This set of nerves controls all movement and transmits sensation through these areas of the body. When a baby is delivered with forceps or a vacuum extractor, the head and shoulders are often the parts grabbed to aid in delivery. The brachial plexus can thus be injured, sometimes resulting in lifelong paralysis. Two types of paralysis linked to brachial plexus injuries are Erb’s Palsy, the paralysis of the arm, and Klumpke’s Palsy, paralysis of the wrist and fingers.

The Child May Experience Learning Disorders or Other Mental Issues

During birth, it is critical that the infant receives sufficient oxygen. Otherwise, he or she can suffer brain damage. If the birth canal is obstructed or there are complications during labor, the infant’s supply of oxygen may be dangerously reduced.

Brain damage resulting from a lack of oxygen can result in various developmental delays and cognitive impairments for a child. These include delayed milestones, speech problems, visual impairment, behavioral problems, and difficulty with language acquisition. These may require that the child undergo corrective therapy later and in some cases, may permanently impact his or her ability to lead an independent life.

Work with an Experienced Chicago Birth Injury Lawyer

If your child was injured at birth, you have the right to seek compensation for his or her damages through a birth injury claim. To learn more and start working on your claim, contact our team at Baizer Kolar, P.C. today to set up your initial legal consultation with us. We are a small firm comprised of dedicated medical malpractice lawyers who work hard for every client.