Indianapolis birth injury attorneys hold medical professionals accountable when their actions cause serious injuries in babies. These attorneys are experienced in birth injury claims, which are a type of medical malpractice claim. Some of the most serious claims involve oxygen deprivation or asphyxia.
In Indiana, babies are injured every year due to medical negligence. Doctors, nurses, and other individuals entrusted with the baby’s care fail to provide proper treatment, resulting in serious injuries. Some of these injuries are permanent or deadly.
Birth injuries may occur during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. A pregnant woman’s medical team is responsible for ensuring that her baby is safe and healthy. However, many medical professionals make mistakes that cause harm to the baby.
How Does a Baby Suffer from Oxygen Deprivation?
There are a number of complications that may interrupt the flow of oxygen to the baby. Some of these occur during pregnancy, whereas others do not occur until labor or delivery. These may include:
- Trauma during pregnancy
- A prolapsed umbilical cord
- Complications with the placenta
- Preeclampsia and eclampsia
- Overmedicating the mother
- Shoulder dystocia, or when the baby’s shoulders are stuck in the birth canal
- Long deliveries
- The baby’s airways are blocked
- Infections
- Lack of Blood Flow
- The baby enters the birth canal feet-first instead of headfirst
Other complications may also impact the baby’s oxygen levels. These complications should be reflected in your child’s medical records.
Medical Conditions Related to Oxygen Deprivation
There are many medical conditions that may be caused by oxygen deprivation during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. A few examples of the most commonly diagnosed conditions are:
- Brain damage, which may be permanent
- Cerebral palsy
- Developmental delays
- Permanent damage to organs, such as the heart or lungs
- Seizures
- Autism
The impacts of oxygen deprivation vary and depend on the baby’s oxygen levels, how long the baby was without oxygen, and how quickly medical treatment was administered. Babies who suffer oxygen deprivation for a short period of time may make a full recovery; babies who are without oxygen for an extended length of time may suffer permanent impairment or even death.
Can You File a Birth Injury Claim in Indiana for My Child?
To determine if your child was injured at birth, you need to hire an experienced Indiana birth injury attorney as soon as possible. These attorneys are experienced in this highly specialized area of Indianapolis medical malpractice law and are able to determine if your child’s injuries were caused by negligence or stem from a genetic condition.
Your Indiana birth injury attorney will carefully study your child’s medical records, as well as medical records from the mother’s pregnancy. These records often contain clues as to what went wrong and caused oxygen deprivation. Many medical professionals blame such events on unforeseeable circumstances when in reality, their negligence is to blame.
What Types of Damages are Available in an Indiana Birth Injury Claim?
In a birth injury claim, the types of compensation available depend on the circumstances of the case. Some or all of the following may be available:
- Medical expenses, including the cost of future medical care
- Lost wages on behalf of the child’s parents
- The cost of altering a home to accommodate an injury (for example, installing a wheelchair ramp)
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- The cost of in-home healthcare aides
- Prescription costs
Other types of compensation may also be available. With your attorney’s assistance, you will maximize the amount of recovery you are entitled to under the law.
Our Indiana Birth Injury Attorneys Are Prepared to Review Your Case
The birth injury attorneys at Doehrman Buba Ring have decades of experience in medical malpractice claims. We serve the entire state of Indiana and do not collect a fee unless we win your case. To schedule your free consultation with our firm, contact us today.