Bringing a child into the world should be one of the most joyful moments in a family’s life. However, when medical negligence occurs during labor or delivery, it can quickly become a tragic and traumatic experience. In Phoenix, families are increasingly seeking justice for birth injuries caused by preventable medical mistakes. Conditions like Erb’s palsy, cerebral palsy, or permanent brain damage are often the result of errors that no family should have to endure.
Understanding how medical malpractice contributes to these injuries—and knowing when to involve a birth injury lawyer—is essential if you suspect something went wrong during childbirth.
Common Types of Birth Injuries Caused by Medical Negligence
Birth injuries can vary in severity, but many result from the same core issue: improper medical care before, during, or immediately after delivery. Some of the most common injuries include:
• Erb’s Palsy: Damage to the brachial plexus nerves, often caused by excessive force during delivery, particularly in cases of shoulder dystocia.
• Cerebral Palsy: A group of disorders affecting movement and posture, often linked to oxygen deprivation or trauma during delivery.
• Skull fractures or head trauma: Caused by misuse of delivery tools like forceps or vacuum extractors.
• Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE): A form of brain injury caused by lack of oxygen.
These conditions often require lifelong treatment and specialized care, placing emotional and financial burdens on families.
How Medical Negligence Occurs During Delivery
Even with today’s advanced technology and training, medical professionals can—and do—make critical mistakes. Some of the most common forms of negligence that lead to birth injuries include:
• Failure to monitor fetal distress
• Delayed decision to perform a C-section
• Improper use of forceps or vacuum extraction
• Failure to diagnose or respond to umbilical cord complications
• Mismanagement of maternal health conditions
Any of these errors may point to negligence, especially if your healthcare provider failed to act as a reasonably skilled professional would have under the same circumstances.
When to Contact a Birth Injury Medical Malpractice Lawyer
If your child was diagnosed with a birth injury and you believe a medical error was involved, it’s critical to contact a birth injury medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible. Early legal intervention can help:
• Gather medical records and expert testimony
• Determine if your provider deviated from the standard of care
• File within Arizona’s statute of limitations for malpractice claims
• Pursue compensation for medical expenses, future care, and emotional distress
A skilled medical malpractice attorney can help you build a strong case and guide you through the legal process, giving you the support you need during a difficult time.
What Compensation Can Cover
Birth injury claims may include compensation for:
• Current and future medical costs
• Rehabilitation and therapies
• Special education needs
• Assistive devices or home modifications
• Loss of quality of life
• Emotional distress
This financial support can be essential to ensuring your child receives the best possible care and that your family doesn’t face these challenges alone.
Call to Action
If you suspect your child’s birth injury in Phoenix was the result of medical negligence, don’t wait to take action. Reach out to an experienced birth injury lawyer who can help you understand your legal rights and secure the compensation your family deserves.
