Denver Newborn Brain Injury Lawyers
We Get Compensation for Newborn Brain Injuries in Denver
Newborns are incredibly susceptible to head trauma during birth, and doctors and nurses must take every precaution to protect them from harm. OB-GYNs are trained to safely deliver newborns without placing unnecessary pressure on a newborn’s skull, provide the thorough care that is needed before and after birth, and diagnose dangerous medical conditions.
When an infant is injured because an OB-GYN or anyone else on the delivery team commits an act of negligence that doesn’t comply with professional standards, it may be medical malpractice. This can cause permanent disabilities, extensive physical trauma, and death.
If your child suffered a brain injury as a result of medical malpractice in Denver, Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. will advocate for your child’s future in a birth injury claim. Since 1981, our Colorado newborn brain injury lawyers have held negligent medical staff accountable for severely injuring newborns, and we’ve fought to get our clients the highest possible award. The independent rating agency Super Lawyers recognizes Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. for providing outstanding service to our clients based on peer review and several other factors, and we have an AV Rating from Avvo.
There is no charge for an initial consultation, and we can explain your options under the law. To discuss your case with a dedicated team of Denver birth injury attorneys, call Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. at (303) 759-9945 or toll-free at (877) 433-3906.
What Is Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice occurs when an OB-GYN, nurse, or anyone else who works in the hospital performs and act of medical negligence that deviates from the accepted standards of their profession, and your child is injured as a result. Medical professionals have undergone years of high-level training, and there is no excuse for mistakes that injure babies.
Child brain injuries are always serious medical conditions, but they are especially dangerous for newborns. A child’s brain takes years to fully develop, and brain damage may result in a catastrophic injury that impacts the rest of your child’s life. Many disabilities are linked directly to infant brain damage, including:
- Cerebral palsy
- Paralysis
- Hearing loss
- Vision loss
- Seizures
- Epilepsy
- Hormone imbalances
- Lack of motor control
- Memory issues
- Mood swings
- Mental illnesses
- Speech impediment
When Medical Negligence Causes Brain Damage
Child brain injuries are preventable when doctors and other hospital staff follow proper procedures. Doctors should be fully prepared and experienced at delivering newborns in a timely and safe manner. They should not put unnecessary pressure on a newborn’s skull at any point during the delivery.
A newborn’s skull does not completely fuse until several months after birth so this makes the baby incredibly susceptible to severe head trauma during birth when doctors fail to follow standard procedures. If a doctor applies too much pressure to the skull during birth, it may cause bone fractures, internal bleeding, and irreparable damage to the newborn’s brain, leading to lifelong disabilities.
Examples of medical negligence that cause newborn brain injuries include:
- Head injuries. These are caused by mishandling the baby during childbirth.
- Delayed C-sections. If there are complications that delay childbirth, the OB-GYN in charge of the delivery team may have to call for a C-section to prevent oxygen deprivation. It’s essential to monitor fetal heartrates and other vital signs for signs of distress in the delivery room. Failure to order a timely C-section may cause brain damage.
- Forceps or vacuums. These are tools that may be used to deliver a newborn. When doctors are incompetent, poorly trained, or inexperienced, extensive brain damage results from misuse of these birthing devices.
- Umbilical cord complications. An electronic fetal device is used to properly monitor the umbilical cord. Immediate action, such as repositioning or a C-section, may be required to treat umbilical cord complications.
- Oxygen deprivation, or perinatal asphyxiation. Newborns require consistent supplies of oxygen for their brain cells to develop properly, and even losing oxygen for a few seconds may cause irreversible damage. If a doctor does not diagnose asphyxiation or respond to fetal distress quickly, this lack of oxygen may result in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, a permanent form of brain damage.
- Newborn jaundice. This is caused by lack of monitoring in the hospital after a child is born. When hospital staff fails to check newborns regularly, jaundice may lead to a condition called kernicterus that causes the infant to turn yellow. High levels of bilirubin in the baby’s blood causes brain damage if newborn jaundice isn’t detected and treated in time.
- Uterine rupture. This is the sudden tearing open of the uterus during childbirth. Lack of proper monitoring and failure to account for risk factors, such as multiple fetuses or previous C-section delivery, may be grounds for medical malpractice.
- Placental abruptions. This occurs when the placenta separates from the inner wall of the uterus before delivery. This condition must be treated quickly during childbirth to prevent injuring the baby.
- Viral or bacterial infections. When these are not diagnosed and treated during the prenatal period, they may cause brain damage.
- Preeclampsia. This form of high blood pressure occurs during pregnancy, and it may cause brain damage when left untreated.
Symptoms of Brain Injuries in Newborns
A significant portion of newborn brain injuries are birth injuries caused by medical negligence. This includes inadequate neonatal care, mishandling of the infant during the delivery process, failure to prepare for and respond to delivery room complications, or lack of monitoring in the hospital after childbirth.
If you have concerns about your newborn child’s behavior or the rate at which they are developing, speak with your pediatrician right away. Your child’s problems may have been caused by birth injuries, and it’s a good idea to seek a second medical opinion. Signs that your newborn may be suffering from brain damage include:
- Large forehead
- Twisted spine
- Stiffness in the neck
- Seizures
- Excessive crying
- Light sensitivity
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Difficulty nursing
- Swollen head
- Tremors
- Difficulty sleeping
- Vision problems or difficulty focusing
- Small or misshaped head
How Your Denver Newborn Brain Injury Attorney Can Help
The experienced trial lawyers at Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. will investigate your child’s injuries and advise you about the best strategy for moving forward. Our firm has a proven track record of success in birth injury lawsuits.
Children with brain injuries are likely to suffer severe physical and mental disabilities. It’s not uncommon for these patients to require a lifetime of costly medical treatment and in-home care. Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. will interview witnesses, review hospital records, and consult with medical experts. Then we will file a claim or lawsuit against anyone whose negligent behavior contributed to your child’s injuries. This may include:
- Hospitals
- Doctors
- Nurses
- Midwives
- Anesthesiologists
- Pharmacists
- Hospital staff
Determining Liability for Newborn Brain Injuries
Brain injuries are among the most serious birth injuries a newborn can suffer from. Whether caused by too much pressure on the skull, misdiagnosing an underlying condition, or a serious infection, a traumatic brain injury can forever change a child’s life. Disabilities such as cerebral palsy, hearing and vision loss, and other developmental issues are all linked to brain damage. Allowing a child to suffer a brain injury is inexcusable, and doctors who injure children due to medical negligence should be held accountable.
The costs of your child's brain injury should not rest on your family’s shoulders alone, and you may be eligible to recover compensation for your child’s injuries through a birth injury claim. In order to recover compensation for your newborn's brain injury, you must demonstrate that:
- Your newborn had a doctor-patient relationship with the medical provider;
- The medical provider committed an act of negligence before, during, or after your newborn’s birth; and
- That act of negligence caused your newborn’s brain injury; and
- A reasonable medical provider would have provided a better standard of care for your child’s condition.
Proving all of these elements requires a thorough review of your child’s injury by a skilled birth injury lawyer who can consult with medical experts and investigators to collect evidence of negligence.
Was Your Child Injured by Medical Malpractice in Denver?
Our team of Denver medical malpractice attorneys have decades of trial experience holding negligent medical providers accountable for their actions. We do not accept anything other than the best for our clients and can diligently investigate your child’s injuries to prove medical negligence. We have handled hundreds of birth injury cases across the country and received several accolades for our dedication to our clients.
We do not charge for an initial consultation, and we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we do not get paid unless you do. If your child suffered a brain injury due to medical negligence, contact Leventhal Puga Braley P.C at (303) 759-9945 or toll-free at (877) 433-3906 to discuss your case.
