Common Birth Injuries in New York City Hospitals: Understanding Your Legal Rights

The birth of a child should be a joyous occasion, but when medical negligence occurs, families may face devastating consequences. Birth injuries in New York City hospitals can leave newborns with lifelong disabilities, emotional trauma, and overwhelming medical expenses. As experienced NYC birth injury lawyers, we have seen how these preventable injuries impact families and are committed to holding negligent healthcare providers accountable.

Most Common Birth Injuries in NYC Hospitals

1. Brachial Plexus Injuries (Erb’s Palsy & Klumpke’s Palsy)

Brachial plexus injuries occur when excessive force is applied to a baby’s shoulders during delivery, often due to improper handling of shoulder dystocia. This can cause nerve damage, leading to partial or complete paralysis of the arm. In many cases, this condition could have been prevented if the delivering physician followed the appropriate protocols.

2. Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is one of the most serious birth injuries, often caused by oxygen deprivation (hypoxia) during labor or delivery. Medical negligence, such as failing to monitor fetal distress, delaying a necessary C-section, or mishandling umbilical cord complications, can lead to permanent brain damage. Children with cerebral palsy may face lifelong mobility issues, speech difficulties, and cognitive impairments.

3. Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)

HIE is another form of brain damage caused by a lack of oxygen and blood flow to a baby’s brain. It can result in severe developmental delays, seizures, and permanent disabilities. Physicians must act quickly when signs of fetal distress appear—failure to do so can lead to catastrophic consequences.

4. Fractures (Clavicle or Skull Fractures)

Fractures during birth, particularly clavicle fractures, are common when improper techniques are used in difficult deliveries. Skull fractures can occur when forceps or vacuum extractors are improperly applied, putting the newborn at risk of intracranial bleeding and brain damage.

5. Intracranial Hemorrhages (Brain Bleeds)

Newborns may suffer subdural or intraventricular hemorrhages due to head trauma during delivery. These injuries are often linked to prolonged labor, forceps or vacuum use, and undiagnosed maternal conditions. Left untreated, brain bleeds can result in long-term neurological impairments.

6. Facial Nerve Palsy

Facial nerve damage can occur when excessive pressure is applied to the baby’s face during delivery, often due to improper use of forceps. This condition can cause partial paralysis of the face, which may be temporary or permanent depending on the severity of the injury.

7. Perinatal Asphyxia

Perinatal asphyxia occurs when a baby does not receive enough oxygen before, during, or immediately after birth. It can lead to brain damage, organ failure, and even stillbirth if medical professionals fail to intervene appropriately.

8. Caput Succedaneum & Cephalohematoma

These conditions involve swelling or bleeding under the scalp due to excessive pressure during delivery, particularly when vacuum extraction is used. While they may resolve over time, in severe cases, complications can arise, leading to jaundice, infections, or skull deformities.

9. Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries during birth are rare but can result from excessive pulling or twisting of the baby during delivery. In severe cases, these injuries may cause paralysis or lifelong mobility impairments.

10. Meconium Aspiration Syndrome

When a baby inhales a mixture of meconium (first stool) and amniotic fluid, it can lead to serious breathing problems, lung infections, and respiratory distress. Doctors must carefully monitor fetal distress and ensure immediate intervention to prevent complications.

How Medical Negligence Leads to Birth Injuries

While some birth injuries are unavoidable, many result from medical errors and negligence, including:

Failure to monitor fetal distress
Delayed C-section or mismanagement of labor complications
Improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors
Negligent prenatal care, failing to diagnose maternal conditions
Mismanagement of umbilical cord issues

Legal Options for Families Affected by Birth Injuries

If your child suffered a birth injury due to medical malpractice in New York City, you may have legal grounds to file a birth injury lawsuit. A successful claim can help recover compensation for:

Medical expenses (current and future)
Physical therapy and rehabilitation costs
Pain and suffering
Loss of quality of life

Contact a Top-Rated New York Birth Injury Attorney

Hospitals and healthcare providers must be held accountable when their negligence leads to preventable birth injuries. If your child suffered harm due to medical malpractice, the highly experienced New York birth injury attorneys at Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf are here to help. Our firm has successfully recovered millions for families affected by birth injuries and is dedicated to securing the justice and compensation you deserve.

Call us today at 212-943-1090 for a free consultation.

Picture Source: Wikipedia/Ernest F.