Infant mortality rates are on the rise. The CDC defines this term as the death of an infant before his or her first birthday. The agency’s study examined deaths per every 1,000 live births. However, this number is increasing. In 2017, the rate was 5.8 deaths per 1,000 live births. One of the leading causes is birth injuries.

About Birth Injuries

A birth injury is not a birth defect. A birth defect is a health problem that usually is DNA related. Some examples are Down Syndrome, a cleft palate or even a heart murmur. Sometimes birth defects derive from outside factors like taking SSRIs during pregnancy. A birth injury is one suffered by a child during labor or delivery or soon after birth. Birth injuries may range from minor problems such as lacerations or bruising to severe injuries that could prove fatal. These injuries can derive from medical staff making mistakes that harm your child. These mistakes could hurt him or her for their entire life. These mistakes could happen for a variety of reasons, including inattentiveness, exhaustion, or also inexperience. Researchers have pinpointed other causes of increased birth injuries.

Causes of Increased Infant Mortality Rates

While medical advancements have reduced the risk of severe injury, there is still the possibility of medical negligence or error by medical professionals attending the birth. Medical professionals may cause birth injuries by depriving the baby of oxygen, failing to perform appropriate tests or other medical mistakes.
Some factors responsible for increased birth injuries are large babies and mothers with a small pelvis size. Large babies over nine pounds and mothers with a small pelvis increase the risk of injury during birth. Doctors should anticipate the size of a baby and the mother’s pelvis prior to delivery and plan accordingly. Also, when a baby is in the breech position, they may need to be delivered by C-section to avoid birth trauma. Doctors should quickly determine whether a C-section is needed. Additionally, using forceps or vacuums is a cause of increased birth injuries. Sometimes, doctors attempt to speed up the delivery by using forceps or a vacuum. If handled incorrectly, these instruments can cause serious injuries to the baby. These are all negligent acts.
Organizations like Healthy PeopleExternal are committed to reducing infant mortality rates. They are informing patients of doctors with the highest rates of birth injuries along with educating the states with the highest infant death rates. Southern states and some in the Midwest have the highest rates in the country.

Hold Doctors Liable for Increased Birth Injuries

The court can hold medical professionals liable for their negligence. Many states prove medical malpractice by a medical professional breached the standard of care. Therefore, they cause harm to their patient. Standard of care means the acceptable procedures and practices within the profession and geographic area.
Birth injuries are costly. You could receive compensation for your baby’s injuries. This includes medical care, hospital visits, medication, physical therapy, special-needs equipment and education, counseling, psychological services, and pain and suffering. In many states, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims is two years from the date of the injury or from the date when the patient knew or should have known that the injury occurred. This is why it is important to act quickly and chose a knowledgeable complex litigation attorney.
Therefore, it is important to remember that if your child’s birth injuries are a result of medical negligence and carelessness, the medical staff, hospital, and/or physician may be liable for damages. A complex litigation attorney can help. At The Michael Brady Lynch Firm, our lawyers have decades of experience helping injured people get justice and full compensation for injuries caused by negligence. The Michel Brady Lynch Firm regularly takes on the largest corporations in the world with a track record of proven success and results. Contact The Michael Brady Lynch Firm today, and our attorneys will review your case for free and help you protect your rights. Therefore, for your complimentary consultation, call our office now.