Fairfax, VA Childbirth Brain Injury Lawyer

Compassionate Birth Injury Lawyers Handling Infant Brain Injury Claims in Fairfax, Virginia

The brain of a newborn child is very delicate. During the final weeks of pregnancy, the hours of labor and delivery, and moments after birth, the proper steps must be taken to protect a child's developing brain. When medical providers do not provide the proper care for a mother and her newborn, serious brain injuries can occur. In these cases, the damage to a child's brain can be severe, and it may have a permanent impact on the child's health and well-being.

Neonatal brain injuries can affect a child's ability to move their body, their mental abilities, their behavior, their ability to communicate, and their overall health. The impact of a brain injury may be felt for the rest of their life. When a birth injury occurs because of negligence by doctors, nurses, or others involved in childbirth, a family can take steps to hold the responsible parties accountable.

At Shevlin Smith, P.C., our attorney can assist with medical malpractice cases in which children have suffered brain injuries due to negligent care during pregnancy, labor, delivery, or after birth. He will take steps to demonstrate that a child was injured due to failures by medical professionals, and he will fight to obtain compensation to help clients address a child's present and future needs.

Why a Baby's Brain Is Vulnerable to Harm

The human brain goes through rapid development during the weeks before and after birth. As the brain develops and forms connections during this time, it will depend on an uninterrupted supply of oxygen. However, its ability to develop may be affected by a lack of oxygen, infections, or trauma.

When injuries occur that interrupt the development of a baby's brain, irreversible damage can occur. In many cases, these injuries can develop over a few minutes, and they can become worse if they are not recognized and treated by medical providers.

Causes of Brain Injuries During or After Childbirth

Oxygen Deprivation

A lack of oxygen is one of the most common causes of serious brain injuries for newborn babies. The flow of oxygen to the brain may be interrupted because of a compressed umbilical cord, placental abruption, prolonged labor, or other complications. Brain cells that are deprived of oxygen can be damaged or die within minutes.

In many cases, oxygen deprivation occurs because of the failure to recognize and respond to fetal distress during labor. The equipment used to monitor a mother and child will provide information about a baby's heart rate, and certain patterns may indicate that the child is experiencing distress and is not receiving enough oxygen. Brain injuries can occur when a labor and delivery nurse does not recognize fetal distress, an obstetrician is not notified about fetal distress promptly, or steps are not taken to deliver a child quickly to prevent brain damage.

Skull Fractures and Traumatic Brain Injuries

Physical trauma to a baby's head during delivery can cause fractures to the bones in the skull. This may damage the brain, or it may lead to bleeding that places pressure on the brain and causes a brain injury. Traumatic brain injuries can be caused by the use of excessive force during delivery, improper use of tools like vacuum extractors or forceps, or prolonged delivery that causes a baby's skull to become compressed.

Infections

Bacterial and viral infections can lead to serious brain injuries for newborns. A child will not have a well-developed immune system, and their body may not be able to contain infections. Viruses or bacteria can spread rapidly. This may lead to meningitis, in which the membranes surrounding the brain become infected, or encephalitis may occur in which brain tissue is infected.

Infections can occur when the proper steps are not taken to prevent a child from being exposed to viruses or bacteria. Some infections may be transferred from a mother to a child due to a failure to recognize and treat these issues during pregnancy or labor. Children may also contract infections because of unsanitary conditions in a delivery room or other facilities.

C-Section Errors

Delays in performing emergency cesarean deliveries are some of the most common reasons why children may experience brain injuries. Oxygen deprivation can occur if a child experiences fetal distress, but the team in a delivery unit does not act quickly enough to perform a C-section. Errors during a C-section procedure can also cause traumatic injuries to a baby. If the proper surgical techniques are not followed, a child may experience head injuries or other issues that can damage the brain.

Improper Neonatal Care

During the hours and days after delivery, a child may be at risk of a brain injury if the proper care and treatment are not provided. In some cases, injuries may occur because medical personnel fail to take steps to quickly resuscitate a child who is not breathing or who has a low heart rate. Oxygen deprivation can occur in minutes, and it can lead to brain damage.

Failure to recognize low blood sugar in a newborn and provide the proper treatment can lead to brain injuries. A child's brain depends on glucose, and severe or prolonged hypoglycemia can lead to a neurological injury. Newborns may be at risk for hypoglycemia in cases where mothers have diabetes, when a child is larger or smaller than normal, or when a child is born prematurely. Injuries may occur if children in these situations do not receive the proper monitoring and medical treatment.

Jaundice may occur after a child is born. It may be recognized due to a yellowing of the skin and eyes. If prompt treatment is not provided, a child may experience brain damage.

Contact Our Fairfax Neonatal Brain Injury Attorney

When brain injuries occur during childbirth, they can have long-term or permanent effects, including cerebral palsy or other developmental disorders. Parents will need to understand who may be held responsible for the harm their child has suffered. The attorney at Shevlin Smith, P.C. can provide legal representation in these cases, helping to obtain full and fair compensation for birth injuries and their ongoing effects. Contact our Fairfax, VA infant brain injury lawyer at 703-591-0067 to set up a free consultation.