Birth Injury Attorney

Jacksonville, Florida

Cerebral Palsy

The birth of a child is a joyous occasion. But sometimes, things can go wrong during delivery, causing physical injury referred to as ´birth trauma´ or 'birth injury'. In severe cases, these injuries can result in the death of the baby.

Delivery conditions that can contribute to birth injury include:

• Birth weight over 8 pounds, 13 ounces
• Babies born before 37 weeks
• The mother's pelvis is too small for natural birth
• A difficult labor or childbirth
• Prolonged labor
• Irregular position of the baby, as in a breech delivery

Birth Injuries Settlements: $1,200,000.00 Obstetrical malpractice resulting in death of twins shortly after birth

Many birth injuries are caused by medical negligence on the part of the doctor or other health care professionals during labor and delivery, when the fragile newborn is highly susceptible to serious complications. Doctors must be extremely vigilant to avoid injuring the baby, especially when:

• Inducing labor
• Performing a Cesarean section
• Mechanically assisting the birth with forceps

Most disabilities and deaths are caused by oxygen deprivation or head trauma that occurs during these delicate procedures. Cerebral palsy and brain damage affect more than 10,000 babies each year. In Florida, some injuries to the brain or spinal cord during birth are covered by special provisions in the law known as the Neurological Injury Compensation Act or NICA. You will need to speak with an experienced birth injury attorney to determine whether your child's injuries are covered by these special laws. If so, your child may be entitled to damages without even having to prove that the doctor or nurse was guilty of medical negligence.

Other types of traumatic birth injury include:

• Prenatal asphyxia
• Erbs Palsy or Brachial Plexus Palsy
• Klumpke's Palsy
• Torticollis
• Shoulder Dystocia
• Fractures
• Spinal cord trauma
• Cephalohematoma
• Intracranial hemorrhage

Doctors and other health care providers may be held liable for:

• Prolonged or difficult labor
• Failure to detect umbilical cord wrapped around infant's neck
• Prolonged delay in performing emergency C-section
• Failing to test and treat conditions related to pregnancy
• Misdiagnosis of conditions during pregnancy
• Negative fetal signs that remain undetected

To learn more, please read our Birth Injury FAQs.

Learn more about cerebral palsy on our frequently asked questions about cerebral palsy page.

Does your child suffer from cerebra palsy due to medical negligence in the Jacksonville, Florida area? Please contact the birth injury attorneys of Hardesty, Tyde, Green & Ashton, P.A. for your private consultation in Jacksonville. There may be time limits for bringing a lawsuit. Don't wait to protect your child's rights!