Phoenix, Arizona Birth Injury Lawyers – Attorneys of Phillips & Associates

The birth of a baby is usually the most anticipated event of any person’s life. Months are spent preparing to bring home a healthy, happy child. But when a child born in a Phoenix, Arizona hospital suffers a permanent disability due to birth injury, only the most experienced attorneys can help to pick up the pieces. The lawyers of Phillips & Associates are compassionate and thorough, providing affected families with much-needed assistance and advice.

Birth Injury Defined

Birth injury is defined as any sort of injury sustained by an infant due to circumstances occurring before, during, or just after birth. Injuries may resolve on their own; others develop into lifelong mental or physical disabilities. Since childbirth is always considered to be somewhat unpredictable and risky, a birth injury may be unavoidable. However, when medical malpractice or negligence on the part of a Phoenix, Arizona doctor is the cause of birth injury, the family should seek the assistance of attorneys.

Causes of Birth Injury

When a woman gives birth in a hospital, she should be able to expect a reasonable amount of expertise from the doctors and nurses involved in her care and that of her newborn baby. If these healthcare providers fail to recognize the signs of a baby in distress, or delay emergency care until it is too late, the resulting birth injury can be disastrous. Some of the most common causes of birth injury include:

In many cases, these examples of medical malpractice and negligence can result in either a stoppage of oxygen to the baby’s brain or severe damage to the baby’s nerves, resulting in birth injury that might last for the rest of the child’s life. The lawyers of Phillips & Associates can help you to determine if your child’s birth injury could have been prevented. Contact our medical malpractice attorneys today for a free consultation.

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Brain Damage

Brain damage is, unfortunately, a common cause of birth injury in Phoenix, Arizona area hospitals. An infant’s brain is very delicate and requires a constant flow of blood to deliver oxygen; if this blood supply is disrupted for any length of time before or during delivery, brain damage may be the result. The amount of lasting damage depends on the length of time that blood supply is affected.

Mistakes made during delivery are often the cause of brain damage in infants. Whether the doctor fails to order a timely C-section, does not diagnose or treat fetal distress, or simply miscalculates the special needs of a large baby, the result is that the umbilical cord is unable to provide the necessary oxygen to the baby’s brain.

Brain damage is often diagnosed in babies who experience seizures within 48 hours of birth, or who were blue, floppy, or otherwise nonresponsive at birth. When brain damage causes long-term muscle coordination problems, the resulting birth injury is called cerebral palsy or CP. Since cerebral palsy is a lifelong condition requiring costly rehabilitation and special education, parents in Arizona whose children have developed CP should investigate the possibility of a birth injury lawsuit. Our lawyers can seek to recover the financial costs associated with cerebral palsy as well as to secure financial security for your child’s future – contact Phillips & Associates today. Read more about cerebral palsy.

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Shoulder Dystocia

Shoulder dystocia describes a condition in which the baby’s shoulder is lodged against the mother’s pelvic bone during delivery. Although this is a somewhat common occurrence, if not handled properly shoulder dystocia can be the root cause of several severe nerve injuries such as brachial plexus palsy, Erb’s palsy, and Klumpke’s palsy.

A good obstetrician will be able to predict when a delivery is at risk of shoulder dystocia; for example, a large baby resulting from gestational diabetes or genetics is more likely to experience shoulder dystocia. To reduce the risk of birth injury due to shoulder dystocia, an experienced doctor will ensure that there are an adequate number of healthcare personnel available to assist in the delivery. The mother and assisting staff should also be prepared for the possibility of a caesarian section.

If the delivering doctor fails to take these factors into account, or improperly treats the shoulder dystocia after it occurs, he or she may be guilty of medical malpractice. Arizona law entitles birth injury victims’ families to seek compensation; attorneys can help ensure that all legal avenues are pursued and that justice is fulfilled.

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Brachial Plexus Palsy

During a delivery that involves shoulder dystocia, the most common permanent birth injury is brachial plexus palsy. The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that control movements in the shoulders, arms, and hands; when this bundle of nerves is stretched during shoulder dystocia, the nerves can be bruised or even torn, resulting in weakness, lack of muscle control, or paralysis.

The four types of brachial plexus palsy refer to the manner in which the nerves are injured:

Doctors can often determine the type of brachial plexus palsy directly after birth. Injury to the nerves may be permanent, requiring lifetime physical therapy and medical treatments.

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Erb’s Palsy

Erb’s palsy describes a type of brachial plexus palsy that only affects the nerves in the shoulder and upper arm. As a result, Phoenix, Arizona babies with this birth injury have trouble coordinating their arm movements, especially those involving the shoulder and elbow. Mild forms of Erb’s palsy, resulting in slight weakness, can be fully treated and cured.

As with other forms of birth injury caused by shoulder dystocia, Erb’s palsy can be greatly aggravated by negligent delivery techniques. If you live in Arizona and believe that your child’s birth injury was caused by malpractice, contact our lawyers to determine whether you have a case. The first consultation is absolutely free.

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Klumpke’s Palsy

Klumpke’s palsy is a form of brachial plexus palsy in which the nerves of the lower arm, hand, and fingers are affected. People with this birth injury might have a hard time performing detailed tasks such as writing, buttoning clothes, or grasping small objects.

As with Erb’s palsy, Klumpke’s palsy can often be successfully treated if the symptoms are mild and physical therapy begun soon after birth. If your child developed brachial plexus palsy during delivery at a Phoenix area hospital, the birth injury attorneys of Phillips & Associates can explain your rights and help you to pursue justice for your child.

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Group B Strep

Group B Streptococcus, or GBS, is a non-contagious form of bacteria that is normally found in the intestinal tract and vagina of up to one-third of all women. Every year in the United States up to 18,000 infants are infected with GBS as they pass through the birth canal. The bacteria can cause sepsis or meningitis, both of which can cause the baby’s death.

The best way for an obstetrician to prevent an infant from becoming infected with Group B Strep is to carefully test for the bacteria during pregnancy. If the mother tests positive for GBS, intravenous antibiotics must be given during labor and delivery. If a doctor fails to administer either a GBS test or antibiotics to a woman with GBS, he or she may be liable in a birth injury case.

Phillips & Associates, serving Phoenix and all of Arizona, can provide area parents with the most up-to-date birth injury information and advice. Our attorneys are compassionate, knowledgeable, and highly qualified to fight your case on your behalf. If you live in Arizona and have been affected by birth injury, contact the lawyers of Phillips & Associates today to schedule your free consultation.

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If you live in Phoenix, Arizona and are seeking advice from qualified birth injury attorneys, contact the lawyers of Phillips & Associates.

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