While the majority of births occur without incident, occasionally complications arise that result in birth injuries. Although sometimes the effects of a birth injury are immediately apparent, other times the extent of an injury isn't apparent until time has passed.
How do I know if my child has suffered a birth injury?
One sign that your child has suffered a birth injury is if you notice delays in development. This may include not meeting developmental milestones for rolling over, sitting up, or a child speaking his or her first words. Not meeting these milestones may be an indication of a greater issue, and that an injury may have occurred during the labor and delivery process. Problems may arise as the result of using Pitocin to induce labor, a premature delivery, the improper use of forceps or vacuum extraction, or hypoxia – where an infant's brain is deprived of oxygen.
Some injuries – such as cerebral palsy – may not be apparent until a child reaches his second or third birthday.
Parents should consult with a physician to determine if their child has suffered a birth injury. Further, where the injury may have been caused as the result of a health care professional's actions (or failure to act), seeking the advice of an experienced Los Angeles birth injury attorney is critical to help obtain justice for your child.
For more information or if you believe that your child may have suffered a birth injury, please contact the top Los Angeles birth injury lawyers at Bostwick & Peterson, LLP for an immediate consultation.
