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Bringing a new life into the world is a momentous event, often filled with joy and anticipation. However, the journey from womb to world can sometimes be fraught with complications, leading to Allentown or Philadelphia birth injuries. These birth traumas, sustained during the process of childbirth, can range from minor and temporary to severe and life-altering. Sadly, despite advances in medical technology and obstetric care, birth injuries still occur, underscoring the complexities and risks associated with childbirth.

Philadelphia birth injuries have become a poignant and pressing issue, drawing attention to the critical importance of exceptional prenatal and perinatal care and legal help for parents. An Allentown birth injury refers specifically to instances where newborns suffer injuries due to various factors during delivery. 

It is a tragic reality that sometimes healthcare providers—including obstetricians, doctors, and nurses—fail to provide the best possible care for both mother and baby. These lapses can result from a variety of factors such as miscommunication, insufficient training, inadequate staffing, or simply human error. The consequences can be devastating, leaving families to cope with the physical, emotional, and financial burdens of Lehigh Valley birth injuries.

As we delve into the most common Philadelphia birth injuries, it is essential to recognize the responsibility of healthcare professionals to uphold the highest standards of care. The discussion that follows aims to shed light on these injuries, their causes, and the critical role of healthcare providers in preventing them. In addition to those key components of birth injury-themed articles, let’s notice the lawyers’ role. Allentown birth injury attorneys guide the injured families through the lawsuits following medical malpractice cases occurring during labor. We want to emphasize the importance of knowing the definition of negligence, substandard care and medical error in the process of giving birth. Through understanding and awareness, we can work towards ensuring fearless childbirth experiences and legal protection for all families. Delve into our comprehensive list of the most common Lehigh Valley birth injuries to learn the hazards associated with diving birth. Additionally, learn about your rights, legal options and deadlines we highly recommend to know before critical choices.

What are the most common causes and the most severe consequences of Lehigh Valley Birth Injuries?

Allentown birth injury cases stem from various factors, with some of the most common causes including medical negligence during labor and delivery. Errors such as improper use of delivery instruments, failure to monitor fetal distress, or delays in performing necessary interventions can result in birth injuries. Additionally, complications arising from medical conditions such as maternal diabetes or placental abnormalities may contribute to adverse birth outcomes. The consequences of Lehigh Valley birth injuries can be severe and life-altering, ranging from temporary physical trauma to permanent disabilities such as cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, HIE, or brachial plexus injuries. These injuries not only impact the affected child’s physical health and development but also impose emotional and financial burdens on their families, necessitating long-term medical care and support. Seeking legal recourse with experienced Allentown birth injury attorneys can help families navigate the complexities of such cases and pursue compensation for the damages incurred due to medical negligence during childbirth. Our Allentown birth injury lawyers will not only compensate your existing damages but also ensure money for ongoing care, recovery and child’s developmental and cognitive challenges in the future.

What Allentown Birth Injury Cases Occur the most frequently?

Allentown birth injury may result in various conditions with various severity stages from mild and temporary to life-altering permanent disabilities, cognitive impairments and developmental delays. Let’s delve into the comprehensive list of the most common and severe Lehigh Valley birth injuries below. As experienced Allentown birth injury attorneys we gained our expertise by handling a variety of birth injury cases for years. We have supported dozens of innocent families who lost hope for a bright future for their babies. We helped them to regain balance and gave them the ability to experience their children’s development and milestones with calm and joy. We witnessed various severe and devastating consequences of human errors, delayed C-section, improper use of medical equipment among others. We want to raise awareness of birth injury consequences and legal options to hold liable parties accountable for their mistakes and negligence. We will work tirelessly on your behalf to support your family and help to avoid similar terrifying situations in the healthcare system. Learn about the most common risks associated with labor and birth processes and learn your rights. 

The most common of Allentown birth injuries

1. Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE): HIE occurs when there is a lack of oxygen or blood flow to the baby’s brain during childbirth, leading to brain damage. This condition can result in developmental delays, seizures, and other neurological impairments.
2. Erb’s Palsy: Erb’s Palsy occurs when the nerves in the baby’s shoulder are stretched or torn during delivery, causing weakness or paralysis in the arm.
3. Brachial Plexus Palsy: Similar to Erb’s Palsy, brachial plexus palsy refers to injury or damage to the network of nerves that control movement and sensation in the arm, often resulting in limited mobility or function.
4. Cerebral Palsy: Cerebral Palsy is a group of neurological disorders that affect movement, muscle tone, and coordination. It can be caused by brain damage or abnormal brain development during fetal development, childbirth, or infancy.
5. Low APGAR Score: The APGAR score is a quick assessment of a newborn’s overall health and well-being shortly after birth, based on appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration. A low APGAR score may indicate potential health concerns or complications.
6. Facial Nerve Palsy: Facial nerve palsy occurs when there is damage to the facial nerve during childbirth, leading to weakness or paralysis on one side of the baby’s face. This can result in difficulty closing the eye, smiling, or making facial expressions.
7. Shoulder Dystocia: Shoulder dystocia is a birth complication where the baby’s shoulder gets stuck behind the mother’s pubic bone during delivery, potentially causing injury to the baby’s shoulder or arm and increasing the risk of other birth injuries.
8. Caput Succedaneum: Caput succedaneum refers to swelling or bruising of the baby’s scalp, typically caused by pressure from the mother’s dilated cervix during childbirth.
9. Cephalohematoma: Cephalohematoma is a collection of blood between the baby’s skull and the periosteum (the membrane covering the bone), often resulting from trauma during delivery. It can cause a noticeable lump on the baby’s head but usually resolves on its own over time.
10. Perinatal asphyxia: Perinatal asphyxia occurs when the baby’s brain does not receive enough oxygen during childbirth, leading to potential brain damage or other complications. This can occur due to various factors, including prolonged labor, umbilical cord issues, or maternal health problems.

These birth injuries highlight the importance of proper prenatal care, skilled delivery practices, and attentive medical intervention to prevent avoidable harm to newborns during childbirth. High quality healthcare accompanied by accessible and affordable legal help will protect families from preventable injuries during childbirth, perinatal and neonatal care.

When can I file an Allentown birth injury lawsuit?

Pennsylvania statute of Limitations allows to pursue the legal action after birth trauma resulting from doctors negligence within two years from occurrence of injury. 

Are all Lehigh Valley birth injuries evident and discovered immediately?

No, the discovery of birth injuries in the Lehigh Valley may vary depending on various factors, including the nature of the injury, the child’s development, and parental awareness. It is essential for parents to remain aware of their rights and legal options. In cases of late detection the Statute of Limitations may be extended. The time frame to file the Allentown birth injury lawsuit starts from the injury discovery or the time when the injury should have been reasonably discovered. 

Contact our Trapani Law Firm’s attorneys to receive support and trustworthy guidance!

It is never too late to learn your rights and consult with an experienced Lehigh Valley birth injury attorney! Our Trapani Law Firm lawyers are available 24/7 to discuss the details of your case and conduct investigation over circumstances surrounding your case if needed. We offer free initial consultation in person, via phone and online. We stand by your side and work tirelessly on your behalf to hold liable parties accountable for your losses. We will support your family from initiation to resolution of your Philadelphia birth injury lawsuit!

Last Updated on June 6, 2024

Matthew C. Trapani

The injury lawyers at the Trapani Law Firm have represented hundreds of clients injured in catastrophic car accidents and other personal injury accidents. Additionally, our personal injury law firm has handled wrongful death claims for families of victims killed or injured in tragic accidents. There is no cost to our clients until our experienced attorneys have won your case. The Trapani Law Firm would like our visitors to be aware that we obtain our information through secondary sources so it is entirely possible that our news blog posts may contain data that is not 100% accurate. If we have improper information posted on our blog please feel free to email us so we can make the necessary adjustments. Our law firm has posted this news blog for informative purposes, in order to help keep our local community safer. The Trapani Law Firm handles these types of injury cases, however whether or not attorney representation is needed is a very private decision that we honor. DISCLAIMER: The information above is not intended to express or constitute legal or medical advice.