Baltimore Brain Damage or Swelling Lawyer
Of all the organs in the body, the brain is the most important. It is also one of the most delicate. During childbirth, the brain is very vulnerable and hundreds of newborns suffer brain damage and swelling every year. Birth injuries are not only some of the most common injuries sustained during the birthing process, but they are also some of the most devastating. Many brain injuries are the result of negligence on the part of medical staff. When this is the case, parents can file a lawsuit against the liable party to obtain financial compensation necessary for their newborn’s recovery. If your child has been hurt, our Baltimore brain damage lawyers at Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman, LLC can advise on your case.
Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy
Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is one of the most dangerous types of birth injuries. HIE occurs when a newborn’s brain does not receive sufficient oxygen and blood. Every cell in the human body requires a constant flow of blood and oxygen in order to survive. When this flow is interrupted, brain cells begin to die, which is known as hypoxia.
The brain needs much more blood and oxygen than any other organ in the body and when the brain cells die, they are unable to regenerate themselves. This means when a newborn suffers from HIE, the brain damage is usually permanent. In some cases, it can even result in wrongful death.
Bleeding in the Brain
Bleeding in the brain occurs when the blood vessels break and blood leaks into or around the brain. While bleeding in the brain sounds scary, it is not always a life-threatening situation, although that can certainly occur, as well. Bleeding in the brain is often considered medical malpractice when forceps or a vacuum was used, particularly when the doctor did not give the mother the choice of having a C-section.
Caput Succedaneum
During the birthing process, a newborn’s head is placed under an immense amount of pressure. Some of this pressure is natural, as the child must move through a narrow birth canal. However, sometimes the pressure is caused externally, such as when a doctor uses too much force or uses assistive devices, such as a vacuum or forceps during delivery.
Regardless of the source of the pressure, it can result in caput succedaneum, which is a swelling of the head and scalp of a newborn. Caput succedaneum is not usually a serious condition, but it can result in other severe conditions that cause brain damage.
Kernicterus
Kernicterus is a very serious brain injury that is a result of untreated or mismanaged jaundice. Newborns who suffer from jaundice have excess levels of bilirubin in their body that they cannot eliminate. Doctors must take any case of jaundice very seriously so it does not result in Kernicterus. Unfortunately, because jaundice is so common, doctors do not always give the condition the attention it deserves.
Our Birth Injury Lawyers in Baltimore Can Help You Collect Damages
No child should ever be born with a brain injury or swelling due to a medical professional’s negligence. If your child has been hurt, our Baltimore birth injury lawyers at Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman, LLC can advise on your case. Call us today at 410-998-3600 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help you recover the financial compensation you need during this difficult time.
