Cases We Handle

Birth Injuries

Sometimes babies are born with medical problems that don't match their parents' expectations. Sometimes it is because the baby is a victim of a birth injury that occurs during labor and delivery.

Sometimes babies are born with medical problems that don’t match their parents’ expectations. Sometimes it is because the baby is a victim of a birth injury that occurs during labor and delivery.

We are very familiar with the medicine, the law and the policies of hospitals all across Texas concerning the need for monitoring and possible emergency delivery of laboring moms to prevent injuries to babies. Many times these injuries are preventable if hospitals only ensured that safety policies were followed by their labor nurses, midwives and doctors.

Newborn baby receiving care

Types of Birth Injuries We Handle

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy
Cerebral palsy
Forceps/vacuum injuries
Induction problems
Gestational Diabetes mismanagement
Preeclampsia mismanagement
Shoulder Dystocia/Erb's palsy
Fetal heart monitoring problems
Delay in C-Section
Delay in delivery
Fetal acidosis
Umbilical cord compression
Infection mismanagement
Group B Strep mismanagement
Intubation problems
Placental abruption

Birth Defects Versus Birth Negligence

Birth Defects

A birth defect is a health problem that affects your baby based on your child's genetic material or DNA. Examples include Down's Syndrome, a cleft palate, or heart murmurs. A birth defect is generally NOT medical malpractice.

Birth Injuries

A birth injury is a medical issue that an infant is born with that is, in most cases, completely preventable. These are often caused by negligence during labor and delivery.

Common Causes of Preventable Birth Injuries:

Pulling and/or twisting the infant improperly during the delivery period

Improper handling and use of birth-assisting tools, such as forceps or a vacuum extraction tool

Administering the wrong amount or the wrong type of medication to the mother during pregnancy and during labor

Failure to monitor the infant properly for distress, including failure to regularly monitor fetal heartbeat

Failure to schedule and perform an emergency cesarean surgery (C-section)

Case Example

Lack Of Oxygen To The Brain During Labor

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) is a type of brain damage that occurs when an infant's brain doesn't receive enough oxygen. It is a dangerous condition that requires immediate medical intervention. HIE is the leading cause of infant fatalities in the United States, as well as the primary source of severe impairments.

Symptoms Associated with HIE:

Meconium-stained amniotic fluid
Low heart rate
Poor muscle tone
Weak breathing or no breathing at all
Bluish or pale skin color
Excessive acid in the blood
Mother holding newborn baby

Effects of HIE may include developmental delays, epilepsy, cognitive issues, motor skill development delays, and neurodevelopment delays. The true severity of HIE generally cannot be determined until the baby reaches three to four years of age.

Other Cases We Handle

Related Practice Areas

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Legal Help for The Youngest Victims

At Thomas & Wan, we have the training, experience and knowledge to sue grossly negligent hospitals, doctors, nurses and midwives for birth injuries. Please call us today for free—we are here to listen to you.

Call (713) 529-1177