Few life experiences are as joyous and fulfilling as becoming a parent. However, this joy can be muted if your little one sustains an injury at birth. If your baby sustains brain injury at birth due to negligence, you may pursue compensation from the liable party via a birth injury lawsuit. No amount of compensation can undo what has been done, but it can help you to meet the financial challenges associated with caring for an injured child.
A brain injury at birth can greatly impact your child’s growth and development. Add to this the cost of care and your finances and homelife can easily become overwhelmed. If you’re unsure of whether your child’s injury was preventable, that’s okay. You can ask a lawyer to evaluate your family’s circumstances. These are just a few of the primary reasons why new parents file birth injury lawsuits related to a child’s brain.
Oxygen deprivation
Also known as birth Asphyxia, oxygen deprivation is one of the leading causes of brain injuries at birth. Oxygen deprivation can happen before or during birth. Before birth, the baby can be deprived of oxygen due to insufficient blood flow from the placenta or when the mother lacks oxygen. During birth, the baby can be deprived of oxygen due to low blood pressure or respiratory complications.
Common causes of oxygen deprivation include:
- Problems with the umbilical cord
- Anesthesia mistakes
- Maternal infections
Physical trauma
Head trauma is another common cause of brain damage at birth. This can happen when the mother’s pelvis or birth canal exerts pressure on a baby’s head for an extended period during birth. It can also happen when excessive force from the vacuum extractor or forceps causes trauma to a baby’s head.
Filing a birth injury lawsuit
Healthcare professionals have a duty to provide an acceptable standard of care to a mother and child before, during and after birth. If your child’s brain injury is attributable to negligence, you’ll need to file a birth injury claim within Louisiana’s statute of limitations period. This is usually one year from the date of injury or reasonable discovery. As a result, it is important to seek legal guidance as soon as you can.
