Having a child is supposed to be a joyous occasion for Delaware parents. However, sometimes birth injuries occur that can take away a child’s opportunity to live a normal life. When a doctor or nurse is believed to be responsible for those injuries, filing a medical malpractice claim might be appropriate.
Childbirth is often considered one of the most natural processes that women go through. However, complications can arise, and when medical professionals fail to do what they can to prevent injuries to the infant, permanent disabilities can be the result. Doctors and nurses who work in obstetrics are trained to recognize the signs of fetal distress or some other condition that can harm the baby, but that does not mean that they are infallible.
Some of the more common birth injuries that result from medical negligence are cerebral palsy, an injury to the brachial plexus (a bundle of nerves near the shoulder and neck) and cortical blindness (caused by damage to the occipital cortex), among others. Other injuries can affect the mother such as chorioamnionitis (a bacterial infection that can occur during labor) or other infections. Some injuries will resolve over time, but others will not.
Birth injuries can lead to lifelong medical and other needs that most parents do not anticipate happening when they have a child. If your child suffered a permanent injury or disability in childbirth, you might be able to seek restitution from a Delaware civil court. After successfully proving that your child did not receive the appropriate care, you could receive restitution to help with any current financial losses and future monetary needs to provide your child with the care he or she deserves and with the best chance at a normal life.