Introduction

Birth injuries refer to physical harm inflicted on a newborn during the delivery process. These injuries can range from mild conditions, such as minor bruising, to severe and life-altering complications like cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, or brain damage. The most common causes of birth injuries include:

  • Prolonged labor
  • Misuse of delivery tools such as forceps or vacuum extractors
  • Delays in performing cesarean sections
  • Oxygen deprivation (hypoxia) during delivery

Understanding the factors leading to birth injuries is essential to prevent these tragedies and to hold medical professionals accountable when negligence occurs.

Legal Implications of Birth Injuries

In Texas, birth injuries resulting from medical negligence often lead to medical malpractice lawsuits. These legal actions allow families to seek compensation for medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and emotional distress. To succeed in a medical malpractice claim, plaintiffs must demonstrate:

  • The existence of a doctor-patient relationship
  • Negligence on the part of the medical professional or institution
  • A direct causal link between the negligence and the injury suffered by the newborn

Legal recourse serves not only to provide financial relief for affected families but also to drive improvements in medical care standards. Read More