Welcoming a new baby is supposed to be a time of great happiness for Oregon families. However, most people rely on the expertise of doctors, nurses and hospital staff to ensure that their babies are born healthy and happy. When these medical professionals do not follow the correct procedures, fail to diagnose issues or use poor judgment, mistakes can happen that threaten the health and lives of both the mother and the baby.
Many birth injuries result in a lack of oxygen to the baby for a period of time. If a baby’s brain or organs do not receive enough oxygen during birth, acids can build up in the cells, which can cause temporary or permanent damage. This can manifest for a number of different reasons including a long and difficult delivery, not enough oxygen in the mother’s blood, umbilical cord problems and more. Such problems account for about four of every 1,000 births.
If the asphyxia is mild and short, infants may recover without any permanent damage. However, babies that experience longer and more complicated experiences with asphyxia can be left with life-long effects such as developmental issues, cerebral palsy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and others.
People who have a child who is struggling with a serious birth injury because of an error made during the delivery process need to know that they have legal rights. With the right help and guidance, these people can receive compensation for the injuries that their child has suffered. This compensation can help the family deal with the financial costs associated with the long term effects of hypoxia or other serious birth injuries.
Source: seattlechildrens.org, “Birth Asphyxia,” Accessed on Sept. 19, 2014