Brain Damaged Baby Cases
The attorneys at Duffy & Duffy know that you are suffering if your child or a child you love has suffered brain damage as the result of an injury in vitro or during birth. The child is suffering too. Brain damage causes life-long cerebral palsy, autism, seizures, and developmental delays. If you suspect that something went wrong during pregnancy or during the birth process, it is in your best interest, and in the best interests of the injured child, to get help immediately.
In “brain damaged baby cases” the brain injuries are often caused by a lack of oxygen. You may have seen the medical term, “hypoxia.” This means there is a decreased amount of oxygen which may cause permanent brain injury. The term, “anoxia,” is more severe and means that the baby is getting absolutely no oxygen. Both hypoxia and anoxia (reduced oxygen or no oxygen) may cause fetal distress, including slowing of the baby’s heart rate.
During delivery, an electronic fetal monitor is used. This monitor measures the mother’s contractions and the baby’s heart rate. If the baby’s heart rate goes down, this is called “deceleration.” If the baby’s heart rate goes up, this is called “acceleration.” If the heart rate goes up and down, this is called “variable deceleration.”
If a baby’s heart decelerates during contractions, the baby may be in danger. If the baby’s heart rate accelerates during contraction, typically the baby is fine. If the heart rate varies, as in “variable deceleration,” there is cause for concern and the baby should be delivered as quickly as possible. Lower heart rates lead to possible oxygen deprivation and brain damage.
Brain damage causes devastating and permanent injury to the baby. A brain damaged child is likely to require life-long care. Physical therapy, rehabilitation, speech and occupational therapies, hospitalization, nursing care, home care, and life in a wheel chair are difficult life realties for a brain damaged child and his family.
The sad reality is that many children are forever harmed through medical malpractice, will never be able to lead a normal life, and will require tremendous medical support throughout their life. This will be expensive, life changing for the family, and necessitates taking action now to afford your child the care he or she may need for the next 60 or 70 years.
Call Duffy & Duffy Today
Our attorneys know how to get financial compensation for the injuries caused by negligent doctors and medical staff. They will sit down with you without charge, answer your questions, and guide you in deciding how you should proceed with you case.
Cases may take some time, perhaps even years, to settle or to take to trial. If you fail to commence your action within the statute of limitations (the time allowed to commence an action) your rights can be lost forever. We invite you to call today and take action to preserve your rights.
