Fargo Birth Injury Attorneys

Your Child Deserves Justice – We Fight for It

Birth injuries are some of the worst injuries imaginable because they affect a child right as they are born and can be permanent. When such a catastrophic injury is in question, you need to make certain the legal professionals you hire are up for the challenge. Maring Williams Law Office and our birth injury lawyers in Fargo have more than 150 years of collective legal experience, so you know we are ready to take on the opposition, no matter the complexities of your case.

Arrange a free consultation. Dial (701) 402-6644.

What is a Birth Injury?

A birth injury is an injury suffered by an infant and caused usually by medical malpractice. Birth injuries can occur during birth, shortly after it, or while the unborn child is developing in utero. In some contexts, an injury suffered by a pregnant mother before or during labor is called a birth injury, too.

What’s the Most Common Birth Injury?

Many birth injuries are head injuries that are caused by the child being mispositioned during labor. The safest way to deliver a child is head-first and while facing towards the mother’s back. If the newborn is delivered feet-first or while facing the mother’s front, then the head will have a higher risk of getting caught in the birth canal, which can cause deformation or other similar injuries.

Other types of common birth injuries include:

• Cerebral palsy (CP)
• Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
• Brachial or Erb’s palsy
• Lacerations caused by forceps or vacuum extractors

Signs & Symptoms of Birth Injuries

Not all birth injuries are immediately noticeable, which is a problem. For example, cerebral palsy can be caused by oxygen deprivation that damages the brain, but the child might not show any CP symptoms until months or years later. If you suspect your child might be suffering from a birth injury, then there are signs you can watch for.

Subtle signs and symptoms of birth injuries can include:

• Unexplained seizures
• Feeding difficulties
• Continual fussing or crying
• Sensitivity to light
• Missing common developmental milestones
• Does not use one arm or leg

Causes of Birth Injuries

What is the cause of most birth injuries? When an investigation is completed, it is often found that avoidable medical negligence is the cause. Indeed, a birth injury is considered avoidable by definition, while a birth defect is an injury or health condition that is considered mostly unavoidable due to it being caused by a genetic disposition.

Types of medical negligence that can cause a birth injury include:

• Failing to notice fetal distress
• Performing a C-section too late or incorrectly
• Administering incorrect levels of Pitocin
• Pulling too harshly on a child during labor

What Causes Brain Injuries During Birth?

Brain injuries during birth can be caused by physical harm to the infant’s head, such as due to mispositioning. However, brain damage is more commonly caused by oxygen deprivation before, during, or after birth. Oxygen deprivation can occur if the umbilical cord becomes wrapped around the infant during birth, for example. It can also be caused if the child’s blood toxicity spikes due to some sort of contamination.

Medical professionals assisting with a birth need to closely monitor the newborn’s vital signs for dropping blood oxygen levels. Failing to do so is a clear indication of medical malpractice.

Let’s Uncover Your Legal Option Today

You and your child deserve justice and compensation after a birth injury. Our birth injury attorneys in Fargo can fight for every penny, including compensation that will help pay for a lifetime of specialty care for your child. It would be our honor to be able to represent and fight for you.

For more information, dial (701) 402-6644 at any time to speak with our Fargo birth injury lawyers.