A birth injury refers to any harm or trauma sustained by a baby during labor, delivery, or immediately after birth. While some birth injuries are unavoidable, many are the direct result of poor medical decisions, delayed interventions, or failure to follow proper care protocols.
Some birth injuries resolve quickly and leave no lasting effects. But others leave a lifelong impact—affecting a child’s ability to walk, talk, learn, or live independently. In these cases, the injury doesn’t just affect the child—it alters the course of the entire family’s future.
The overwhelming majority of serious birth injuries are preventable with proper medical care. Obstetricians, nurses, and delivery teams are trained to recognize warning signs and act swiftly when complications arise. But when those professionals fail to do so, the results can be catastrophic.
When a healthcare provider fails to meet these standards—whether through inattention, poor communication, or outright negligence—and a child is harmed as a result, they can and should be held accountable under medical malpractice law.
While there are numerous types of birth injury, some of the most serious include the following:
Birth asphyxia occurs when a baby doesn’t receive enough oxygen before, during, or just after birth. This lack of oxygen can lead to hypoxia (reduced oxygen in the blood) and asphyxia (a more severe form of hypoxia affecting the whole body), potentially causing organ damage, including to the brain.
Factors leading to birth asphyxia include problems with the umbilical cord, high or low blood pressure in the mother, insufficient oxygen in the maternal blood, or a difficult delivery.
Prompt medical intervention can mitigate long-term effects, but severe cases may lead to conditions such as cerebral palsy or developmental delays. If your child has experienced this type of catastrophic injury, reach out to our knowledgeable birth asphyxia attorneys to discuss your legal options as soon as possible.
Intracranial hemorrhages, or brain bleeds, in newborns can result from birth trauma or conditions like hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. These hemorrhages are classified based on their location within the skull and can range from minor bleeding with no lasting effects to severe bleeding that causes significant brain damage.
Factors that increase the risk include premature birth, low birth weight, and the use of instrumental delivery. Symptoms may include excessive sleepiness, seizures, and a bulging fontanel. Treatment and prognosis depend on the bleed’s severity and location.
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of permanent movement disorders appearing in early childhood, often caused by damage to the brain before, during, or shortly after birth. Factors contributing to CP include birth asphyxia, brain infections, and severe jaundice. CP affects muscle coordination and movement, but the symptoms vary widely.
Some individuals may experience mild symptoms, such as a slight limp, while others may have severe symptoms, including an inability to walk or the need for lifelong care. There is no cure, but therapy and rehabilitative services can help manage symptoms.
If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and you suspect it’s due to a birth injury, contact our Dallas cerebral palsy lawyer right away.
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a type of brain damage that occurs when an infant’s brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen and blood. HIE can result from complications during delivery, such as umbilical cord problems or a prolonged delivery process. The condition can lead to a wide range of outcomes, from mild, temporary symptoms to severe, permanent impacts like developmental delays, cerebral palsy, or epilepsy.
Unfortunately, our highly-experienced HIE attorney sees a significant number of these types of devastating injuries. Early intervention, including therapeutic hypothermia, can sometimes reduce the severity of outcomes. However, even the smallest delay in implementing these procedures can reduce their effectiveness to almost zero.
Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) involves the death or damage to the white matter of the brain near the ventricles. It’s most commonly seen in premature infants, where oxygen and blood supply to the brain’s white matter are inadequate. PVL can lead to motor disorders, including cerebral palsy, as well as potential cognitive and visual impairments.
Early detection and intervention are crucial to managing the effects of PVL, though there is no cure for the condition itself. If you suspect your child has suffered severe harm due to medical negligence, our trusted birth injury lawyers are prepared to help.
Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) occurs when a newborn inhales a mixture of meconium (the first feces produced by an infant) and amniotic fluid into the lungs around the time of birth. This can block the baby’s airways, making it difficult to breathe and potentially leading to lung inflammation and infections. Treatments may include oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, and antibiotics.
Our knowledgeable meconium aspiration lawyers know what to look for when presented with these types of injuries. For instance, MAS is more likely when the baby is stressed, particularly if the delivery is overdue. Treatments may include oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, and antibiotics.
Neonatal hypoglycemia refers to low blood sugar levels in a newborn and is most common in premature babies, those with diabetic mothers, or babies larger or smaller than average for their gestational age. Symptoms can include jitteriness, cyanosis, seizures, and poor feeding.
Early detection and treatment are critical to prevent potential brain damage. Treatment typically involves feeding the baby frequently or administering glucose intravenously.
Spinal cord injuries in newborns are rare and usually result from traumatic deliveries or accidents. These injuries can lead to varying degrees of paralysis and sensory loss below the injury site. The extent of the injury and the resulting impairments depend on the injury’s severity and location. Early intervention and rehabilitation can help maximize the child’s functional abilities, though some effects may be permanent.
Umbilical cord prolapse occurs when the umbilical cord slips through the cervix into the vaginal canal ahead of the baby during delivery, leading to cord compression. Compression of the cord can significantly reduce blood flow and oxygen to the baby, posing a risk of brain damage or death. Quick medical response, often requiring an emergency cesarean section, is crucial to mitigate risks to the baby’s health.
If you believe your baby has suffered serious injury or died due to a delayed medical response, reach out to Van Wey & Metzler. Our umbilical cord injury attorney has the medical and legal acumen to help you determine the truth.
Birth asphyxia refers to oxygen deprivation at birth, leading to HIE, a form of brain damage. Factors such as umbilical cord issues, uterine rupture, placental abruption, and delayed delivery in the face of fetal distress can cause oxygen deprivation.
Forces like pressure and torsion during delivery can cause traumatic birth injuries. Preventive measures and adherence to standard care can mitigate these risks. Emergency C-sections may be necessary in some cases to prevent trauma.
Premature babies are at a higher risk for birth injuries due to their underdeveloped organs. Proper care in the NICU is crucial to avoid further complications.
Adequate NICU and prenatal care are essential to prevent and manage all types of birth injuries. This includes proper feeding, managing jaundice, and monitoring for infections.
Proper management of obstetric procedures and emergencies is critical to prevent birth injuries. This includes timely C-sections, correct fetal monitoring, and appropriate administration of anesthesia and labor-inducing drugs.
While some types of birth injuries can result in permanent damage, treatments like hypothermia therapy for HIE can reduce the severity. Early Intervention programs and therapies can assist in maximizing the child’s development and quality of life.
If your child has suffered a catastrophic injury due to medical negligence, it’s crucial to understand that you are not alone. Navigating the aftermath of such a profound event can be overwhelming, but help is available. At Van Wey & Metzler, we are fully prepared to advocate for the rights of your child.
We understand the unique complexities and sensitivities involved in these types of cases, and we are committed to providing compassionate guidance every step of the way. With our extensive experience and unwavering dedication, you can trust that we will leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of justice for your child and your family.
At Van Wey, Metzler & Williams, we represent families who’ve endured the unthinkable due to a preventable birth injury. We fight not only for the compensation needed to care for a child with complex medical needs, but also for the truth—and the justice—every family deserves.
When you become our client, you become part of the Van Wey & Metzler family, and you receive responsive communication and support throughout your case.
