Birth Injury

The Law Firm of Dugan, Babij & Tolley, LLC has represented many families whose loved ones have died or been injured as a result of medical malpractice resulting in birth trauma.

Birth injury or birth trauma generally refers to those otherwise avoidable injuries suffered by a baby associated with the process of delivery.

Larger infants, those weighing in excess of 4,500 grams, or approximately 10 pounds, are particularly susceptible to birth trauma injuries. Frequently, babies who are delivered by operative vaginal delivery, which may involve the use of forceps or a vacuum extractor, may suffer birth trauma related injuries.

It has been estimated that nearly 50% of all birth trauma injuries are avoidable with the recognition and anticipation of the relevant obstetrical risk factors by the competent medical practioner. Indeed, rates of fetal death due to birth trauma have fallen dramatically, as practices such as midforceps rotation have been discouraged and diagnostic modalities such as ultrasound have permitted safe and careful obstetricians to identify, anticipate and adapt to factors associate with an increased risk of birth trauma.

In general, a higher risk of birth trauma is associated with the presence of cephalopelvic disproportion, fetal macrosomia, breech presentation, oligohydramnios or precipitous labor. The injudicious use of forceps or a vacuum extractor in delivery also increases the risk of birth trauma.

More severe forms of birth trauma include cranial and intracranial hemorrhage, such as cephalohematoma and subgaleal hemorrhage. Cephalohematoma results when bleeding occurs in the head near the skull; subgaleal hemorrhage describes bleeding between the skull and the scalp. Either form of hemorrhage can be severe, and may result in neonatal anemia or hypotension. By far, the most common cause of subgaleal hemorrhage is the improper use of a vacuum extractor during delivery.

Other forms of avoidable birth trauma may include obstetrical brachial plexus palsy, spinal cord injuries, and facial nerve palsies which are frequently caused by forceps compression.

The Law Firm of Dugan, Babij & Tolley, LLC has extensive experience in representing families whose loved ones have died or been injured as a result of medical malpractice resulting in birth trauma.

Since its inception in 1981, the Firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for its clients by offering personalized legal representation in the complex areas of medical malpractice and birth trauma litigation.

If anyone in your family has suffered injury or death as a result of medical malpractice resulting in birth trauma, please contact the Law Firm of Dugan, Babij & Tolley, LLC at 1-800-408-2080; fax: 410-308-1742 or via e-mail at .