Was your child harmed during childbirth due to a medical provider’s failure to act appropriately? Birth injuries like these often stem from preventable errors in delivery rooms, and unfortunately, those mistakes can result in long-term complications, not only for your child but also for you.
Experiencing trauma of this nature can be incredibly difficult, but you don’t have to face the aftermath all by yourself. Instead, let a Texas birth injury lawyer take on your case and represent you in your pursuit of justice for your child.
At Birth Injury Lawyers Group, we know what it means to serve as your birth injury lawyer in Corpus Christi. Since 2003, we‘ve recovered more than $750 million in compensation for people just like you. We’re here to help.
Common Types of Birth Injuries
Birth injuries can arise from complications during labor and delivery, particularly when medical providers fail to follow established standards of care.
These injuries often have lifelong consequences, requiring treatment, therapy, and support. Let’s take a look at common birth injuries experienced by victims of these cases.
Cerebral Palsy (CP) / Hypoxic‑Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)
These brain injuries occur when oxygen to the brain is reduced or cut off during labor or delivery. They often result from delayed C-sections, umbilical cord problems, or placental issues.
Symptoms may include:
- Spasticity
- Motor dysfunction
- Seizures
- Developmental delays
Brachial Plexus Injuries or Erb’s Palsy
This nerve injury can occur when too much force is used during delivery, especially in cases of shoulder dystocia. It may result in permanent weakness or paralysis of the affected arm.
Fractures
Birth-related fractures, particularly of the clavicle or long bones, are sometimes unavoidable, though they can be further aggravated by improper handling. Severe fractures may involve nerve damage or require surgery.
Neonatal Stroke
Although rare, strokes at birth can be devastating. They often result from trauma or clotting disorders. It’s not uncommon for them to cause lifelong cognitive or motor impairments.
These injuries can be prevented when medical teams adhere to protocols, use proper delivery techniques, and respond quickly to fetal distress.
"If your child was born with a birth injury, or cerebral palsy, we can help."
Medical Standards & Monitoring During Labor
Preventing birth injuries in Texas hospitals involves closely following recognized obstetric protocols and using reliable diagnostic tools during labor.
Medical professionals in Corpus Christi are expected to monitor both mother and baby vigilantly and act decisively when problems arise. These are examples of standard labor and delivery practices:
- Electronic fetal monitoring (EFM): EFM helps track the baby’s heart rate and oxygenation levels during labor. It enables early identification of issues like hypoxia or distress. Ignoring abnormal readings can lead to serious injuries.
- Timely emergency C–sections: If fetal distress is detected, a cesarean section may be required immediately. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends delivery within 30 minutes of the decision. Delays increase the risk of permanent brain damage.
- Proper management of shoulder dystocia: When a baby’s shoulder becomes stuck, specific maneuvers like the McRoberts position and suprapubic pressure should be employed. Using excessive force or failing to act quickly can result in nerve injuries or fractures.
- Appropriate use of delivery instruments: Vacuum extractors and forceps must be used cautiously and correctly. Improper use can cause skull fractures, hemorrhages, or facial nerve injuries.
- Neonatal resuscitation: Newborns in distress require immediate resuscitation using APGAR scoring, oxygen support, and sometimes intubation. Failure to perform these steps correctly can lead to brain damage or death.
When these standards are not followed, affected families may have grounds for legal action based on medical negligence.
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Causes and Risk Factors of Cases Handled by Corpus Christi Birth Injury Attorneys
Birth injuries are often the result of the interplay between maternal health, fetal conditions, and how medical personnel respond to complications. Recognizing the factors that elevate risks is important in terms of prevention and case evaluation.
These are common causes and contributing factors of birth-related injuries:
- Fetal risk factors: Macrosomia, the breech position, or low oxygen levels may signal the need for heightened monitoring or surgical delivery.
- Inadequate prenatal care: Failing to detect risk factors during prenatal visits or delaying specialist referrals may set the stage for birth injuries.
- Hospital and staffing issues: Understaffed labor units, poor communication among medical teams, or untrained personnel often play a role in delivery-related errors.
- Maternal conditions: Gestational diabetes, infections, pre-eclampsia, and high blood pressure can increase the likelihood of delivery complications.
"We know first-hand what you are going through."
Legal Statutory Framework in Texas
In Corpus Christi and throughout Texas, birth injury lawsuits are typically filed under the state’s medical malpractice statutes. To succeed in a claim, plaintiffs must prove that the healthcare provider failed to meet the standard of care and that this breach caused the child’s injury.
Texas law imposes specific legal deadlines and damage caps:
- Statute of limitations: Under Texas law, malpractice claims must generally be filed within two years of the incident. For minors under the age of 12 years old, the deadline is typically extended until their 14th birthday, subject to a 10-year statute of repose.
- Damage caps on non–economic harm: Non-economic damages are capped at $250,000 per provider and $250,000 per institution. This is true up to a maximum of $750,000 total per claimant across all defendants.
- Economic damages: These include future medical care, lost wages, therapy appointments, and special education. There is no cap on economic damages in Texas.
- Expert report requirement: Within 120 days of the defendant’s response to the lawsuit, plaintiffs must provide a qualified professional’s written report affirming that the claim has merit.
"Our Birth Injury Lawyers have recovered over $750+ Million on behalf of our clients."
Reach Out to Our Corpus Christi Birth Injury Law Firm Today
When birth injuries occur because of negligence, families deserve justice. If your child was hurt because a doctor failed to follow proper procedures or overlooked warning signs they should have paid attention to, now is the time to contact Corpus Christi birth injury attorneys.
At Birth Injury Lawyers Group, our birth injury lawyers in Corpus Christi are here to help you hold the responsible parties accountable.
We’ll do everything in our power to pursue a favorable outcome on your behalf. We’re here for you.
"We are committed to helping families who have suffered medical negligence."