Denver Birth Fracture Attorneys
Get Justice After Medical Malpractice Leaves Your Child With Fractured Bones
For every 1,000 births in the United States, approximately seven babies suffer an injury. Fractures are one of the more common birth injuries, as a newborn baby’s bones are fragile and may break if doctors make a mistake during delivery.
A broken bone could be a sign of medical malpractice. If your child suffered bone injuries at the hands of medical providers, call Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. toll-free at (877) 433-3906. Our Denver birth injury lawyers will review your case and see if there is compensation available for you.
How Are Bones Broken at Birth?
There are several ways in which a negligent act or omission by a doctor may contribute to a fracture at birth:
- Failure to detect fetal distress may cause a physician to neglect to transition the patient from a vaginal birth to a cesarean section (C-section), resulting in the baby undergoing trauma during a vaginal birth.
- Aggressive use of forceps, which is an instrument shaped like a pair of large spoons or salad tongs used to guide the baby’s head out of the birth canal. If the doctor uses forceps while trying to speed up the labor process, they could cause skull fractures.
- Improper use of Pitocin, a drug used to induce contractions during childbirth, can result in fetal distress, leading to fractures.
- Vacuum extraction may be used to help the child along during a prolonged or difficult delivery where the child is unable to exit the birth canal naturally. Several types of injuries can occur with a vacuum delivery, including shoulder dystocia and skull fractures.
Common Types of Bone Fractures Due to Medical Malpractice
A birth injury fracture is a break in the baby’s bone or cartilage as a result of a traumatic childbirth.
Skull Fractures
These injuries may occur as the baby’s head is forced through the birth canal. They can also result from the misuse of birthing tools such as forceps or vacuum extraction. Skull fracture may require corrective surgery to repair, and they can lead to paralysis, neurological damage, cognitive problems, and development issues.
Clavicle Fractures
The clavicle, also called the collarbone, connects the chest to the shoulder. Injuries to the clavicle may occur when the baby is very large or the mother’s birth canal is small. Injuries can also happen when the baby is breech, the baby’s shoulder gets stuck coming out of the birth canal, or when birth assistance tools are used.
If a fracture is suspected, x-rays or ultrasound may be used to make a diagnosis. Treatment for a clavicle fracture usually requires strapping the baby’s arm to his or her chest for a few weeks to allow the bone to heal. Complications from clavicle injuries may include damage to the brachial plexus, the network of nerves that govern movement from the shoulder down to the fingers.
Growth Plate Fractures
These injuries occur when the softer cartilage around the end of a bone is damaged, such as the leg, forearm, or fingers, becoming contorted as the child exits the birth canal. Growth plate fractures can usually be detected by swelling at one end of an arm or a leg.
The growth plate is more prone to injury because it is an area of rapid growth and has softer cartilage, which is more vulnerable. Treatment usually requires protection of the area for a few weeks to allow for healing. Complications from growth plate fractures may be permanent, so it is essential that these injuries are detected and properly stabilized.
Femur Fractures
This type of injury results when the baby’s leg is awkwardly twisted during delivery. The child will usually experience pain that can be noticeable when they are moved or during changing. The common treatment for a femur fracture in a newborn is to use a Pavlik harness, which holds the baby’s hips in a stable position for approximately four weeks.
Fractures may require additional medical care, such as medication, traction, or surgery.
Birth Injury Fractures and Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional, through either a wrongful act or a failure to act, causes injury to a patient. Medical malpractice can take place at any time during the labor and delivery process and even after the child is born. This may include errors in diagnosis, treatment, aftercare, or health management.
Work With a Top Denver Birth Injury Lawyer
If your child was injured during the labor and delivery process in Denver and you believe your child’s fracture may be due to the negligence of your medical team, contact an experienced birth injury attorney right away. At Leventhal Puga Braley P.C., we know how to handle these cases, and we always treat our clients with respect and delicacy. We will do the necessary research, gather evidence, and fight for just compensation on your behalf.
It is important to note that the statute of limitations to file a medical malpractice lawsuit is different in different states and there may be other requirements to file. That’s why the sooner you speak to an attorney, the better. If you’d like to meet with a Denver birth fracture lawyer at Leventhal Puga Braley P.C., give us a call toll-free at (877) 433-3906.
Additional Information
- Birth Injuries in Newborns - Merck Manuals
- Fractured Clavicle in the Newborn - MedlinePlus
- Pavlik Harness Treatment for Children
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