Pittsburgh Birth Injury Lawyers

Birth injuries are injuries that occur during pregnancy, labor, or birth, either to the child, mother, or both. While one can incur an injury during childbirth in many ways, some are more common than others.

Common birth injuries include:

• Birth Asphyxia: Birth asphyxia is a medical emergency in which an infant's brain and other organs do not receive enough oxygen during birth. 
• Brachial Plexus Injury: A brachial plexus injury is a birth injury that occurs when the nerves that run from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand are stretched or torn. This birth injury can occur if a baby's head and neck are pulled in different directions during birth. It can also happen if too much pressure is placed on an infant's head during childbirth. Brachial plexus injuries can result in paralysis of the arm or hand, loss of feeling, or decreased movement.
• Cerebral Palsy: Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that permanently affects body movement, muscle coordination, and posture. It is caused by abnormal development or damage to the brain before birth, during birth, or after birth up to age three. Symptoms vary from person to person and can range from mild to severe.
• Erb's Palsy: Erb's palsy is a birth injury that affects the nerves of an infant. It is caused by damage to the brachial plexus, a network of nerves in a baby's neck and shoulder area. The condition may occur when a baby's head, shoulders, or neck are stretched during birth. Symptoms of Erb's palsy can include weakness, numbness, or paralysis of the arm and hand on one side of the body. 

• Oxygen Deprivation: Oxygen deprivation, also known as hypoxia or anoxia, is a condition in which the body or part of the body is deprived of oxygen. It can result from a birth injury, malpractice, or other medical errors. Oxygen deprivation can have severe and long-lasting effects on the body and brain.
• Facial Paralysis: Facial paralysis is a medical condition in which the facial muscles are weakened or not functioning correctly due to nerve or muscle damage. When facial paralysis occurs, it can cause a range of physical and emotional issues for the patient, including difficulty speaking, eating, drinking, and breathing. It can also affect a person's ability to express emotion through facial expressions.
• Shoulder Dystocia: Shoulder dystocia is a birth complication that occurs when a baby's shoulder becomes stuck behind the mother's pubic bone during birth. This can cause severe injuries and even death in both a baby and their mother. Shoulder dystocia can occur due to improper use of birth-assisting tools or a failure to promptly identify birth complications.

We are here to help those who have suffered birth injuries and their families navigate the complexities of birth injury cases, including determining liability and awarding damages. At Friday & Cox, LLC, we understand that birth injuries can have a lasting impact on the entire family. We are here to provide compassionate representation tailored to your unique case. Our attorneys will work with you every step of the way to ensure that you and your family are protected. If you have any questions, feel free to call us.