Birth Injuries Caused by Mechanical Forces

In some cases, newborns may suffer birth injuries because of the mechanical forces of birth. These can include traction (the force and movement used to deliver or pull the child out of the birth canal), compression (the pressure used to push the child through the birth canal), or the tools that are used to aid in delivery such as forceps or vacuums.

When related to medical mistakes, a medical malpractice lawyer in Ohio can help families examine whether negligence may have been to blame.

Some common birth injuries suffered because of mechanical forces include:

  • Extracranial injuries – These are injuries to the baby’s head and can include: caput succedaneum, or a swelling of the head’s soft tissue; cephalohematomas, or a rupture of blood vessels between the skull and periosteum; and subgaleal hemorrhaging, which causes blood to build up between the epicranial aponeurosis and the periosteum.
  • Soft tissue injures – These can include abrasions, bruising, cuts, lacerations, necrosis and more.
  • Facial injuries – These include injuries to the eye and eyelid, as well as cuts to the scalp and face.
  • Fractures – The clavicle, skull and bones in the arms and legs may be susceptible to fractures.
  • Neurologic injures – These may include brachial plexus nerve injuries, Erb’s Palsy, spinal cord injury and damage to the facial nerves.
  • Abdominal injuries – These may include spleen rupture, distension and liver injuries.

Getting Legal Help from a Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Ohio after Mechanical Birth Trauma

Some traumatic events and injuries can have long-lasting effects on the infant’s health, happiness and overall quality of life. Parents whose child has suffered because of improper application of mechanical forces or other medical mistakes during delivery may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim.

Victims could be due compensation for treatment costs, pain, suffering and more. Call 440-333-3800 to speak to a medical malpractice lawyer in Ohio at Mellino Robenalt LLC to discuss your legal case involving birth injuries from medical mistakes.