Birth Injury Attorneys in Little Rock

Approximately seven babies out of 1,000 in the United States are injured during labor and delivery.  A birth injury is a trauma to the baby that occurs during the birth process.  The injury is generally due to tremendous pressure put upon the baby while passing through the birth canal.  Birth injuries can take on many forms and vary in severity.  They can be caused by factors such as prolonged labor, a “breech” (legs first) delivery, premature birth, doctor procedures (i.e., the use of forceps), and the small size or irregular shape of the mother’s pelvis.  Some of the more common birth injuries include:

  • Cerebral palsy – a chronic disorder caused by trauma to the brain during or near the time of birth and its symptoms include the loss of movement or other nerve functions.  The condition is not progressive (meaning that it does not worsen or improve with time) and its severity is determined by the type of damage done to the brain.  A variety of medical malpractice, such as improper use of forceps or leaving the baby in the birth canal too long (depriving the baby of enough oxygen), can cause cerebral palsy.
  • Erb’s palsy (Brachial Plexus Palsy) – a paralysis or weakness of the arm caused by stretching of the nerves around the shoulder during birth.  This damage can be caused by excessive pulling on the arm during birth or by pressure on raised shoulders during a breech delivery.  Most infants recover within 6 months, but those that do not will require surgery to make up for the nerve damage and have a poor outlook for improvement.
  • Bleeding in the brain
  • Injury to the brain cells from a lack of oxygen (Hypoxic-ischemic Encephalopathy HIE)
  • Brain injury swelling
  • Facial nerve damage or paralysis – can be caused by pressure on the facial nerves during birth or by the use of forceps during birth.  If the nerve was bruised, the condition generally improves within weeks.  If torn, however, surgery may be required.
  • Skull fractures

If your child has suffered a birth injury because your physician did not react to a dangerous situation in the proper manner, then you have a legal right to pursue damages.  The Little Rock injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Thomas G. Buchanan can help you learn more about your options in this situation.  Contact our office today at 501-296-9820.

Medical negligence, or malpractice, occurs when a doctor, or other health care provider, deviates from accepted standards of practice, and causes harm to a patient.  Child injuries due to medical negligence at the time of birth, then you may be eligible to hold your doctor or health care provider responsible in a court of law.  Our Little Rock, AR birth injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Thomas G. Buchanan have the financial stability, experience, medical knowledge and courtroom track record necessary to make certain that you or your loved one, obtain full and fair compensation.  We will thoroughly prepare each case, review accident and medical records, speak to witnesses and health care providers, access liability and consider all possible legal and medical issues. It is important that you act quickly before the statute of limitations expires to file your birth injury claim.  In Arkansas, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice is two years from date of malpractice.  If discovery of a foreign object occurs after 2 years, the plaintiff has 1 additional year to bring a claim.  Minors under age 9 have until age 11.  Call us today at 501-296-9820 for an initial consultation.  There is no fee to you unless we win your case.  We serve clients in the Little Rock, South, Eastern, and Western Arkansas.

 

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