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  • Writer's pictureAnn Brooks, J.D.

3 Common Types of Birth Injuries and Why You Need an Oklahoma Birth Injury Lawyer

A birth injury is any type of injury or damage that occurs to a baby during the process of labor and delivery. Birth injuries can happen due to a variety of reasons, including medical malpractice, difficult or prolonged labor, or the baby's size or position during delivery. There are several types of birth injuries, including:


  • Cerebral palsy

  • Erb's palsy (also known as brachial plexus injury)

  • Brachial neuralgia


Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a disorder that affects muscle tone, movement, and motor skills. It can be caused by brain damage during birth or shortly thereafter. In many cases, cerebral palsy is caused by medical malpractice during delivery.


Cerebral palsy symptoms include:


  • Weakness in one or more limbs (arms and legs)

  • Tight muscles in the arms or legs that make it difficult to move them smoothly

  • A limp when walking

  • Poor balance when standing still


Erb's Palsy

Erb's Palsy is a birth injury that affects the nerves in your baby's neck. It can cause paralysis of one or more muscles on one side of your child's face, including:


  • Eyelid closure

  • Eye movement (including blinking)

  • Mouth movement


If you suspect that your child has Erb's Palsy, contact an Oklahoma birth injury lawyer right away to learn more about how they can help you get compensation for medical bills and other expenses related to treating this condition.


Brachial Plexus Injuries

Brachial plexus injuries are defined as damage to the nerves that connect to your upper extremities, such as your arms and hands. These injuries can be caused by trauma to the neck or chest area. Injuries to this region of the body can be caused by medical malpractice during surgery or other procedures.


Brachial plexus injuries have many different symptoms depending on which nerve is damaged and how severe it is. Common symptoms include:


  • Numbness or tingling in one or both arms

  • Weakness in one or both arms

  • Pain when moving your shoulder blades (scapula)


The Role of an Oklahoma Birth Injury Lawyer

If you believe your child is suffering from a birth injury, it is important to know that an Oklahoma birth injury lawyer can help. An experienced attorney will have the expertise and knowledge needed to navigate the legal process, provide emotional support, and make sure that your rights are protected.


How to Find the Right Oklahoma Birth Injury Lawyer

To find the right Oklahoma birth injury lawyer, you need to look at their experience. You want someone who has handled cases like yours before and won them. If possible, talk to some former clients of the lawyers you are considering hiring. Ask them about their experiences with that lawyer and whether they would recommend him/her again.


The Benefits of Working with an Oklahoma Birth Injury Lawyer

Knowledge of legal process: A birth injury attorney has experience with the legal process, which can be complicated and confusing. They know how to file a claim and what evidence to gather in order to prove your case.


Familiarity with medical terminology: Medical professionals use a lot of jargon that may not make sense to someone who isn't familiar with their field, but an Oklahoma birth injury lawyer knows all the language and can help explain things in layman's terms so you understand what happened during your child's birth or treatment at the hospital or doctor's office.


Network of medical experts who can testify on behalf of your family member's case: If there is another party responsible for causing harm during labor or delivery, such as an OBGYN who made mistakes during delivery, then it will be necessary for you to find expert witnesses (usually doctors) who will testify about these mistakes in court during trial proceedings so that jurors understand how serious these errors were before deciding whether compensation should be awarded


Conclusion

While the information in this guide is useful, it's important to remember that every case is different. If you or someone you love has been injured due to the negligence of another party, contact our Oklahoma birth injury lawyers today for a free consultation.

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