A newborn baby suffers from birth asphyxia when there is an interruption in the blood flow to the brain during or shortly after birth. This rare but serious condition can result in serious injury or death if not treated quickly.
There are many factors to consider when it comes to a birth asphyxia case. How long did the baby suffer? What type of treatment did they receive? What caused the interruption in blood flow?
If you or a loved one has had a child with complications resulting from birth asphyxia, a Colorado Springs birth asphyxia attorney wants to hear your story and offer legal assistance.
For a free legal consultation, call 1-800-222-9529
Birth Asphyxia: What You Need to Know
Birth asphyxia is a condition that occurs when a baby’s oxygen supply is interrupted at birth. When this happens, the baby’s brain cannot function normally, and the child may suffer from serious disabilities, including cerebral palsy and intellectual disabilities.
The first thing you should know about birth asphyxia is that it can happen anywhere during labor and delivery. It can occur during pregnancy or immediately after birth. It can happen to any child, regardless of their health status before birth.
When treating this condition, every situation will be different depending on what caused it in the first place and how fast treatment was administered afterward.
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Complications from Birth Asphyxia
At birth, a baby’s brain must receive adequate oxygen in order for it to develop normally. If the baby does not receive enough oxygen during delivery, he or she will likely suffer from complications later in life. Some of these complications include:
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is characterized by muscle spasms, involuntary movements and difficulty with movement control. Children with cerebral palsy often have difficulty walking and staying upright because their muscles are stiff or weak. They also may have difficulty communicating with others because of speech problems.
Intellectual Disability
Intellectual disability refers to a below average IQ score that can range from mild to severe impairment. People with an intellectual disability can have trouble learning new skills or adapting to new situations as they grow older due to low cognitive functioning, which affects their ability to reason, think abstractly and solve problems as others do.
They also have a hard time understanding and using language and may have trouble communicating their needs.
Death
In the United States, about 10% of infant deaths are caused by birth asphyxia. It is a leading cause of infant mortality worldwide.
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Causes of Birth Asphyxia
Babies who suffer from birth asphyxia are typically born too early, with their lungs not fully developed. The condition can also occur in full-term babies who have been deprived of oxygen while still in the womb, although this is less common.
There are many potential causes of birth asphyxia, including:
Maternal Illness During Pregnancy
If you were ill during your pregnancy, such as having high blood pressure or diabetes, this could have affected your unborn child’s development.
Prolonged Labor
If your labor took longer than average to complete, it could have caused your baby’s oxygen levels to drop. This happens when there isn’t enough oxygen in the blood for both mother and child during labor.
Cord Prolapse
A cord prolapse occurs when the umbilical cord slips out before delivery, depriving the baby of oxygen until help arrives. Cord prolapses are more common when delivering larger babies or if you had an epidural during childbirth (which slows down contractions).
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When Should You Hire a Birth Asphyxia Attorney?
If you or someone you love has suffered the loss or injury of a child due to negligence or medical malpractice, it’s important that you are aware of your legal rights.
If you believe that someone else’s actions could have prevented the death of your child, then you should contact an experienced Colorado Springs birth asphyxia attorney immediately so that he or she can help protect your rights and ensure that justice is served.
If You Feel Your Rights Were Violated
The doctors and nurses who work at hospitals are there because they want to help people; however, sometimes mistakes happen that cause serious injuries and even deaths for patients.
If you think that your rights were violated during childbirth, then it may be time for you to contact our office for help with filing a claim against the hospital or doctor involved in your case. We can help you get the compensation you deserve so that you can focus on healing from your injuries or grieving the loss of your child.
A Colorado Springs Birth Asphyxia Attorney Can Help You Get Paid for Your Losses
The first reason to hire an attorney is that they can help you get paid for your losses. If your child was injured by a physician or medical provider, you may be able to recover compensation for your child’s medical expenses and other damages.
The amount that you receive in compensation depends on several factors, including the extent of your injuries and how much time it takes you to recover from them.
An Attorney Can Help You Get Compensation for Negligence
If you were injured during childbirth due to negligence on behalf of your doctor or nurse practitioner, then they could be held responsible for causing your pain and suffering. Compensation for pain and suffering varies depending on many factors, including the severity of your injuries and their impact on your life.
If you have been unable to work since being injured during delivery or if you need extensive medical care because of these injuries, then your pain and suffering could be significant enough for an award from a jury or judge.
If you have been diagnosed with a permanent injury such as paralysis, then your pain and suffering is more likely to be severe. In this case, the jury or judge will award you more money than if they had not determined that you have a permanent disability.
Your Whole Family Is Affected
When a child is injured during childbirth, the entire family suffers. Whether it’s physical therapy appointments or missed work days, there are always expenses that go along with caring for an injured child.
The last thing you want is to have to sacrifice time with your family because of financial obligations caused by your child’s injury. An attorney will help you get the compensation you need so that your family doesn’t have to endure any more hardship than necessary.
Contact a Birth Asphyxia Lawyer
If you are suffering from birth asphyxia, it is important that you contact a birth asphyxia lawyer right away. This type of injury is often very serious and can lead to long-term complications and disabilities. The longer you wait to get medical attention, the harder it will be to prove that your child’s injuries were caused by medical malpractice.
If you have been injured or lost a loved one due to medical malpractice or negligence, contact an attorney for a free consultation. They can determine what steps may need to be taken in order to properly pursue legal action on your behalf.
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