Americans enjoy the advantage of the most advanced healthcare system in the world. However, despite all the medical technology, thousands of babies are born every year with painful birth injuries. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), approximately seven out of every 1,000-child births in the United States result in birth injuries.
The birth injury rate is higher for male babies than it is for female babies. Data from the DHHS reveals that more birth injuries occur in large hospitals than in smaller hospitals. The DHHS classifies large hospitals as those with over 300 beds and smaller hospitals with less than 100 beds. Birth injuries such as cerebral palsy, erb’s palsy and brain damage can result from any of the following medical mistakes:
· Giving mothers or babies the incorrect doses of medication
· Failing to remedy a lack of oxygen, infection or internal bleeding
· Choosing the wrong type of delivery method
If your child suffers a birth injury, it is critical that you seek emergency care to prevent further complications. In addition, you should meet with a medical specialist to discuss a long-term treatment plan for your child. Lastly, a qualified birth injury attorney can help you if medical malpractice caused your child’s injury.
Harrell & Nowak, L.L.C. – New Orleans medical malpractice attorneys