When one hears that their child sustained an injury during birth, they may feel a mixture of overwhelming emotions. They’re worried about their child’s health, how this injury happened, and what this means for their child’s future. Unfortunately, birth injuries can lead to health complications for the rest of a child’s life. If your child has suffered from an injury because of medical negligence, you may be facing a reality that includes affording permanent care for your child.
How Do Birth Injuries Affect One’s Life?
One of the biggest threats to an infant’s health is lack of oxygen. Birth injuries from lack of oxygen often results in brain damage, which can cause issues for the rest of the child’s life. Oxygen deprivation can cause cerebral palsy, or CP. Those with CP may have issues with controlling muscle movements, issues with vision and hearing, and trouble with speech.
Birth injuries can also be physical. A brachial plexus injury happens when the nerves around the baby’s shoulder are damaged. The damaged nerves may cause Erb’s palsy, and the baby will have limited mobility and function of the arm. Depending on the severity of the injury, there could be a full recovery or it could be partial.
Injuries like the examples above can inform how the child will live their life. Their disability may affect their growth and development or require special equipment. It’s important to be prepared for the changes you’ll have to make so your child can be comfortable and safe.
Living at Home
If your child has issues with mobility, you may need to make some changes to your house. Some changes could include making it more wheelchair accessible, especially if you have stairs. You may also need certain kinds of bathtubs that are more accessible to those with physical disabilities.
Your child may have other learning disabilities. For these situations, you may need to block off stairs with gates and make sure there isn’t anything within reach that can cause them harm.
Going to School
Disabilities may mean that your child needs a specialized approach to education. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which is a law that states eligible children with disabilities can have access to free education. They also offer services for infants and toddlers up to age 2, to help them with early development.
These services can help your child grow in a healthy and safe way that will prepare them for the next stage of education.
Communication and Socializing
Those with disabilities may have difficulty with communicating, or they have different ways of communicating. While this can make socialization a challenge, your child will receive the attention and care they need so they can communicate as best as they can.
The educators taking care of your child at school should make sure that they’re treated fairly and kindly. Discrimination of any kind is not acceptable.
Let Shrager, Sachs, & Blanco Represent You
Learning that your child was harmed during delivery is traumatic. But you have options to help you and your child’s future. If you feel your child’s birth injury was caused by negligent or careless decisions on behalf of medical professionals, our lawyers can investigate your case and hold the right professionals accountable.
With our help, you may be able to provide your child with the care plan that they need so they can thrive and maintain a high quality of life. We can get started on your case as soon as you get in touch with us. We’ll schedule a free consultation where we go over your case and discuss your options.
