Birth Injury Types

Most birth injuries fall into two general categories: temporary or permanent birth injuries.

Less serious birth injuries that heal quickly include: bruising, caput succedaneum (swelling of the scalp) and subconjunctival hemorrhage (bleeding in the eye as a result of broken eye vessels).

Below is a list of serious, permanent birth injuries:

Brachial plexus is nerve damage. The most common type of brachial plexis is shoulder dystocia, which typically occurs with prolonged labor, breech labor or in instances the baby becomes lodged in the birth canal. In most cases, a full recovery is expected in four months to two years. In rare cases, babies may sustain long-term impairment and require surgical intervention along with physical therapy.

Fractured bones usually result from shoulder dystocia and/or a difficult breech delivery, a condition that occurs when the baby is delivered feet or buttocks first. Parents should monitor their children for signs of pain, swelling and lack of movement to the affected area, which could signify fractured bones. The affected side may also appear shorter. To determine if a child has sustained broken bones, doctors will administer X-rays to confirm any fractures that may be present. Treatment of broken bones usually involves casting the affected limb, with most injuries fully healed within a month.

Cephalohematoma is swelling caused by an accumulation of blood from ruptured blood vessels in the back of a newborn's skull and under the scalp. It starts forming after birth trauma, typically after improper use of a medical instrument during delivery. The swollen area may appear severely bruised due to the pooled blood. Cephalohematoma may resolve within a few weeks, or take several months to fully heal. In rare cases, cephalohematoma may lead to severe jaundice, and subsequently, cerebral palsy. In mild cases, the blood is reabsorbed into the body over time and requires no treatment unless it becomes infected.

Facial paralysis is the paralysis of facial nerves following a birth injury. It can occur as a result of the use of forceps, or from pressure of the mother's pelvis on the baby's nerves during birthing. Facial paralysis usually resolves within a few weeks. In severe cases, surgery and/or physical therapy may be required.

Cerebral palsy is a type of brain damage that is associated with a group of disorders that limit a child's movement. Children typically demonstrate symptoms of cerebral palsy within their first few years of life. Cerebral palsy is a serious and permanent condition.

Infants who are affected by cerebral palsy face very difficult health, social and psychological challenges. These difficulties may include problems with fine motor tasks, trouble with maintaining balance and struggles with walking. Symptoms usually vary from one child to another and can change overtime. Cerebral palsy can be caused by a number of birth injury factors, including medical negligence. If you believe that your child's cerebral palsy condition may have been caused by negligence, you should speak to a birth injury lawyer who can help you file a cerebral palsy lawsuit.

Damages awarded to victims and their families of birth injury may recover compensation to offset the costs of medical bills and other associated costs of raising a child with special needs. Birth injury lawyers help parents gather the facts that are necessary to determine if negligence was involved. If negligence was a factor in a child's brain damage, attorneys ensure that the negligent parties are held responsible. A birth injury lawsuit can help recover compensation for a personal injury that occurred during labor and delivery.