Birth Injury Attorney in Denver, Colorado

If you’re fortunate enough to call Denver home, you have plenty of options when it comes to choosing a hospital for your baby’s delivery. From the University of Colorado Hospital to Rose Medical Center and St. Joseph’s Hospital, Denver parents should be able to rely on the top-notch care these facilities provide when it’s time to welcome their little ones into the world.

Unfortunately, even the best doctors at the best maternity wards in the country can make mistakes that lead to serious health issues and birth injuries for babies.

Birth injuries can have a significant impact on the health and well-being of your child and the emotional, physical and financial well-being of your entire family. Navigating these challenges while also trying to care for your child can be overwhelming.

No family should have to endure the devastating consequences of a birth injury alone. By partnering with a skilled attorney, you can hold the responsible parties accountable and ensure your child receives the necessary medical care and support they need for a brighter future.

If your baby suffered a birth injury as a result of a doctor’s or other health care provider’s negligence, experienced Denver birth injury attorney Laura Brown is ready to answer your questions and advocate on your child’s behalf. While we know this process can feel scary, reaching out to an attorney is an important first step to getting your child the justice and compensation they deserve.

What is the most common area for a birth injury?

An infant’s head and/or brain remain the primary areas that suffer birth trauma injuries. The array of head, brain and facial injuries that can occur include the following:

• Cephalohematomas. This term refers to blood accumulation just beneath the skin of the scalp, often caused by the forceful use of forceps during delivery. Most disappear within weeks or months without intervention.
• Subgaleal hemorrhages. These involve bleeding in the connective tissue of an area of the skull called the subgaleal space, located just above the skull. It’s a serious condition usually associated with the use of a vacuum extractor. The bleeding can continue, spread and cause anemic shock. 
• Skull fractures. These may involve one or more bones breaking before or during birth. Medical attention becomes necessary if the fracture causes an indentation, but many of these kinds of fractures will heal on their own.
• Neonatal strokes. These strokes can occur when blood vessels burst (hemorrhagic stroke) or when blood flow to the brain is interrupted by a blockage (ischemic stroke). Either way, once the blood flow is disrupted through a stroke, blood vessels soon die, and permanent damage can result. Stokes can result from many factors, including low oxygen levels, placental abruption and uterine rupture.
• Facial paralysis. This is a condition where the facial nerves experience inflammation or injury, leading to a loss of facial muscle control. While some cases may be genetically linked, facial paralysis can also be attributed to birth-related trauma, including the use of assistive devices like forceps or vacuum extraction by medical professionals during childbirth.
• Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Also known as perinatal asphyxia, HIE occurs when there is an inadequate oxygen supply during labor and delivery. The effects of HIE can be severe, leading to long-term complications, including developmental delays, cognitive impairments, motor disabilities and cerebral palsy. The consequences of HIE emphasize the critical need for timely intervention and appropriate medical care during the perinatal period.
• Epilepsy and seizures. These are neurological conditions that can be triggered by factors such as oxygen deprivation or head trauma. These conditions involve sudden and temporary disruptions in the brain’s normal electrical activity, resulting in various symptoms such as altered movements and consciousness. In infants, seizures can indicate a risk for conditions like hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and cerebral palsy, necessitating close monitoring following birth.
• Cerebral palsy (CP). This is a condition characterized by muscle problems that arise after a brain injury. Oxygen deprivation during birth can be a contributing factor in the development of cerebral palsy among some infants.

What type of birth injury causes cerebral palsy?

Birth trauma may cause a life-long condition known as cerebral palsy. The neurologic condition affects muscle tone, body movement and posture. CP symptoms vary from mild to severe. Mild cases might include a slight limp or other awkward movements. Severe cases may cause an inability to talk, walk or use their arms. Conditions before, during or after birth can give rise to the condition.

What are the signs of a birth injury?

The signs and symptoms of a birth injury vary according to severity and location. Some will appear right after birth, but others aren’t noticed until months or years later.

My baby was injured during delivery in Denver. How do I know if it was medical malpractice?

Birth injuries may be the result of negligence on the part of medical team members caring for the mother and infant before, during or after birth. If a doctor or other medical professional failed to provide you or your baby with the established standard of medical care and an injury resulted, they may be liable through a birth injury lawsuit.

Some examples of negligence that could lead to infant injury or death may include any of the following:

If you suspect that your infant’s birth injury or fatality occurred because of a medical professional’s negligence in Denver, you should consult with a birth injury attorney to have your case reviewed as soon as possible.