Tennessee Birth Injuries
A birth injury is damage that happens to a baby during the process of birth. It can occur during pregnancy, delivery or shortly after a child is born. Birth injuries may arise from natural complications, but many are caused by medical mistakes, negligence and miscalculations by health care providers. Birth injuries caused by medical error or negligence are a form of medical malpractice and are subject to Tennessee malpractice laws.
Experts estimate that 3-5 babies in 1,000 are injured during labor and delivery. The attorneys at Terry, Terry & Stapleton have spent years helping families overcome the devastation of birth-related injuries. We handle birth injury cases in Morristown, Rogersville, Greeneville, Sevierville, Knoxville, Johnson City, Kingsport, Newport and throughout East Tennessee.
Birth Injury Causes and Complications
One of the most common birth injuries during delivery is shoulder dystocia, which occurs when the baby's shoulders are too large for the birth canal and become stuck behind the mother's pubic bone. Without assistance, the baby can suffer brain damage or even death – but when doctors aren't trained in proper dystocia protocol, the baby can suffer complications including:
- Cerebral Palsy – a condition in which brain damage affects body movement and muscle coordination. Some cases of cerebral palsy occur despite the best of care, but others are caused by inappropriate or negligent actions during delivery.
- Erb's palsy – temporary or permanent loss of mobility in the hand, finger or arm. Erb's palsy typically occurs after difficult deliveries in which forceps or vacuum devices are used to remove the infant from the birth canal. These instruments are often vital to save the life of an infant, but not all physicians are properly trained in their use, and injuries can result.
- Klumpke's palsy – a condition causing paralysis of the hand and wrist.
- Torticollis – a condition in which the baby's head and neck tilt to one side.
Other causes of birth injuries include:
- Failure to perform a cesarean section in a timely manner, placing the baby at risk for trauma, including oxygen deprivation.
- Failure to notice warning signs of fetal distress during pregnancy or during labor.
Birth Injuries and Tennessee Laws
Tennessee law provides that medical providers may be held responsible for failing to provide the accepted standard of medical care. If you suspect your child has a birth-related injury, the attorneys at Terry, Terry & Stapleton know the right questions to ask and answer in order to determine fault. If a medical mistake has been made, you should not have to bear the burden of the costly and lengthy treatments and health care your child may require.
As your attorneys, we will help you file a lawsuit or take other legal action against the doctor, hospital or any other responsible party. Having our legal expertise at your side when filing a medical malpractice claim provides you with valuable support – and improves your chances for receiving adequate compensation for your child.
If your child has suffered a birth injury, contact the Morristown, TN birth injury attorneys at Terry, Terry & Stapleton. We know Tennessee malpractice laws and we understand how to hold negligent institutions responsible. For legal assistance with a birth injury claim or to schedule an evaluation of your case, contact us by calling 1-800-518-3779.
