Proving that an injury that occurred during birth is a result of medical malpractice can be a difficult and frustrating process. If you suspect that your child may have suffered an injury due to doctor or hospital negligence, the most important thing you can do is to contact a medical malpractice lawyer. According to BirthInjury.org, a non-profit that provides support to families who have been affected by a birth injury, states that the most common types of birth injury are brachial plexus injury and cerebral palsy. Birth injuries can refer to either those suffered by the mother or the baby.

The brachial plexus is a bundle of nerves that beings at the base of the neck, according to BirthInjury.org. “There are two common systems used to classify or describe different kinds of brachial plexus injuries,” reports BirthInjury.org. “The simplest uses the severity of the injury from least to greatest: (1) stretch, (2) rupture and (3) avulsion.” Many times stretch injuries heal quickly and can often result in a full recovery. Avulsion, conversely, is the most serious type of brachial plexus birth injury and can result in immobility or even lack of growth in a leg. “The only known cause of avulsion injuries is extreme traction (pulling) applied to the brachial plexus,” reports BirthInjury.org.

Cerebral palsy refers to a series of brain injuries that can occur as a result of medical malpractice during the birthing process. “Cerebral palsy is a non-progressive impairment of your child’s motor functions which causes physical disability as your child develops,” BirthInjury.org reports.

According to the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), in 2006 there were nearly 157,700 birth injuries that occurred to either the mother or baby, which could have been avoided. Injuries were more common for baby boys than girls.

If you or someone you know was affected by a birth injury in Westport, you are likely eligible for compensation. Contact Richard H. Raphael Attorney at Law today.