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• $6.5 Million Settlement for Child Injured at Birth...Posted on 1/13/2009
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Birth Injuries

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Birth Trauma in Massachusetts

Infant injuries sometimes occur during the birth process, leading to lifelong disabilities for the child. Some of these injuries are unavoidable, but a number of them can be prevented.

Birth trauma is defined as injuries to infants caused by mechanical forces, such as compression or traction, during the birth process. In the United States, fewer than 2 percent of infant deaths and stillbirths are caused by significant birth injury. However, it does happen on occasion, with an average of 6 to 8 injuries per 1000 live births. Research has shown that for the most part, larger infants are more prone to birth trauma.

It has been estimated that almost one half of birth trauma cases are avoidable, as long as risk factors are identified. Some of these risk factors include:

• Large-for-date infants
• Use of midcavity forceps or vacuum
• Breech delivery
• Excessive traction during delivery
• Prima gravida (first time pregnancy)
• Small maternal stature
• Extreme prematurity
• Oligohydramnios (a deficiency of amniotic fluid)

The birth process is complex and involves contractions, compression, force and traction. When there are complications during the birth process, it can lead to tissue damage, hemorrhaging, edema and other injuries. Some of the types of birth injuries sustained by infants can be classified as soft tissue, skull, face, musculoskeletal, intra-abdominal and peripheral nerve. Most of these injuries have a favorable long-term prognosis, but there are some injuries that lead to lifelong conditions, such as cerebral palsy.

If your child has sustained a birth injury, you may be able to pursue legal action. Contact a Massachusetts birth injury lawyer at Kiley Law Group for legal advice at 978-474-8670 or 800-410-2769. Even though financial compensation will not reverse the damage, it can make life more comfortable and restore normalcy to your family. Caring for a child with a condition, such as cerebral palsy, is expensive and the compensation you receive from a successful birth injury lawsuit will help ease the burden.