Our law firm stands up for Ohio families
What’s supposed to be one of the most joyous moments for a family can rapidly turn tragic. During labor and delivery, a newborn’s developing brain is incredibly vulnerable, and if doctors and other medical professionals don’t do their jobs, the consequences can be catastrophic.
During Brain Injury Awareness Month, we’re calling attention to some of the most devastating of all brain injuries: those that occur in newborns. Too often, medical negligence is the culprit for infant brain damage that can have lifelong consequences.
How do brain injuries happen during birth?
Broadly speaking, there are two types of brain injuries. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by an external force that damages the brain, such as a blow to the head. An acquired brain injury (ABI) is caused by something internal to the body, such as a lack of oxygen that causes brain cells to die.
Either type of brain injury can occur during or shortly after birth. Acquired brain injuries can be caused by:
- Hypoxia, or lack of oxygen to the brain during labor and delivery. Lack of oxygen can cause a type of brain damage called hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).
- Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. Glucose (sugar) is essential to supply the brain with energy during delivery and after birth. If hypoglycemia is left untreated for too long, it can cause permanent brain damage.
- Untreated jaundice, which is caused by high levels of a chemical called bilirubin. If not treated promptly, the buildup of bilirubin can cause a type of brain damage called kernicterus.
- Infections that spread to the lining of the brain, leading to meningitis. Infections can be passed from the mother’s body to the newborn during labor and delivery.
Traumatic brain injuries can also occur during labor and delivery if there is too much pressure on the newborn’s skull. If the baby’s head gets stuck in the birth canal, or if a doctor applies too much pressure with forceps or a vacuum extractor, the baby’s brain can be injured.
The high cost of medical negligence during labor and delivery
Every condition we’ve listed above is treatable as long as medical standards are followed during prenatal care, labor and delivery, and neonatal care. Unfortunately, that’s not always what happens. Brain injuries in newborns can be caused by medical negligence in several ways, including but not limited to:
- Negligent prenatal care: Failure to diagnose pregnancy complications that can increase the risk of brain damage during labor and delivery, such as gestational diabetes, group B strep, or macrosomia.
- Negligence during labor and delivery: Failure to properly monitor the baby’s heart rate during delivery, misuse of forceps or vacuum extractors, or failure to order a C-section when medically indicated.
- Negligence during neonatal care: Failure to properly diagnose and treat jaundice, hypoglycemia, or an infection, or failure to use head cooling or whole body cooling to limit the risk of brain damage.
The consequences of medical negligence during labor and delivery can be life-altering. Babies with brain damage can develop debilitating medical conditions that require lifelong care, such as cerebral palsy. The cost of that long-term care is tremendous, as is the impact on the child’s future and quality of life. We stand up for families and hold negligent medical professionals accountable.
Contact the birth injury law firm Ohio trusts
For decades, attorney John A. Lancione and his team at The Lancione Law Firm have been fighting for birth injury victims and their families throughout Ohio.
We have an extensive track record of results in cases involving brain damage, including a $14.2 million recovery for a baby girl who developed brain damage and cerebral palsy due to a nurse’s negligence.
To see how we can help with your potential legal case, give us a call or contact us online today.
"The future of our child was unknown and The Lancione Law Firm changed that. We are forever grateful for the outstanding service and results we received.” — Rita Scott, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐