Murraysville Birth Injury Attorney

Medical Malpractice Law Firm Servicing the Coast of North Carolina

A parent’s joy in bringing a child into the world can quickly turn to distress when medical malpractice occurs during pregnancy, delivery, or postnatal care. Obstetricians, gynecologists, neonatologists, and other medical professionals are responsible for the health of a baby. They must follow accepted standards of care, and they may be held liable when they act negligently. At Daniel, Holoman & Associates LLP, we work with families to hold healthcare providers accountable when they do not provide reasonable care to patients and their loved ones.

Our firm gives every family attentive, individualized service. We closely review medical records and help our clients understand the complexities of pursuing a claim in Murrayville. We advocate for families and provide the compassionate and tailored legal care they need during this trying time.

Contact us by calling (866) 380-2281 today to review the details of your claim with a birth injury lawyer in Murraysville, NC.

What Is a Birth Injury?

Some birth injuries cannot be prevented and happen as part of normal labor and delivery. Others can be prevented, but occur when medical care falls short of accepted standards.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) distinguishes between birth defects and birth injuries:

1. Birth defects generally occur during pregnancy and may be caused by medications, health conditions, or lifestyle choices. Babies exposed to certain substances after birth can also develop defects, but this is less common than defects arising during pregnancy.
2. If a healthcare provider’s clear negligence causes a birth defect, it may be classified as a birth injury and could result in compensation. This is not the case if a baby is born healthy but later develops a defect due to genetics or injuries unrelated to medical care.

Birth Injury Statistics

In 2013, about 28,000 babies in the United States were born with birth injuries, and another 2,000 suffered birth-related brain injuries. These injuries remain relatively rare, affecting 7 out of every 1,000 live births. Birth injury rates range from approximately 6% in high-income countries to about 11% in low-income countries. Awareness of these numbers encourages parents to learn more about safe and quality care during pregnancy and delivery.

Mother’s advancing age, pre-existing medical conditions like diabetes, a history of C-sections or assisted vaginal labor, carrying more than one fetus, excessive vomiting, and restricted growth, along with fetal size, position, and fetal distress, can commonly be at a higher risk for child injury at birth. It's crucial for healthcare providers to create comprehensive birth plans and take proactive measures to monitor potential risks that could lead to birth injuries.

Types of Birth Injuries

Brain Injuries

Brain injuries are among the most severe birth injuries and can result in lifelong disabilities such as epilepsy and cerebral palsy. Prompt intervention, access to therapies, and coordinated care lead to better outcomes, making swift medical evaluation after birth crucial.

Facial Nerve Injuries

Facial nerve injuries often result from trauma during delivery and usually appear at birth. Signs may include one-sided facial paralysis, inability to close an eye, and problems sucking. Treatment depends on injury severity and may include therapy or, in some cases, surgery.

Fractures (Broken Bones)

Fractures in newborns can occur during difficult deliveries, particularly when a baby is large. Most fractures heal quickly and completely with simple treatments like splints or gentle immobilization.

Clavicle fractures occur most frequently and usually heal well with simple care. Sometimes, these fractures leave a small bump on the shoulder. Fractures of the arm bones are less common and typically heal without complications. On rare occasions, nerves or blood vessels may be injured in the process. With regular medical supervision and appropriate therapy when needed, infants often recover fully from these injuries.

Head & Spinal Cord Injuries

Head and neck injuries represent a leading cause of birth injuries in the United States. While infants’ skulls and necks adapt to birth stresses, excessive force or use of instruments like forceps or vacuum extractors increases the risk of trauma. Head injuries can lead to neurological difficulties, requiring early medical assessment and therapy.

Perinatal Asphyxia

Perinatal asphyxia occurs when a baby receives too little oxygen or blood flow to the brain. This can result in lasting organ damage or disability if not treated quickly. Early detection is critical to prevent long-term complications, so hospitals often use strict monitoring protocols during labor.

Erb’s Palsy

Erb’s palsy affects the nerves in the neck and shoulder, causing weakness, numbness, or paralysis in the arm. Treatment includes physical and occupational therapy and sometimes surgery. Early involvement with medical professionals helps build the best plan for recovered function.

Cephalohematoma & Caput Succedaneum

Cephalohematoma involves bleeding below a cranial bone, and caput succedaneum causes swelling of the scalp. Both often arise from pressure or instruments used during delivery and, while usually harmless, may require monitoring for complications like jaundice.

Contact us online or by calling (866) 380-2281 today to learn how our birth injury lawyer in Murraysville, NC, can support you and your loved ones.

Klumpke’s Palsy

Klumpke’s palsy, a form of brachial plexus injury, leads to paralysis or weakness in the forearm and hand. Signs may include lack of muscle control, weak grip, and an arm that bends at the elbow and rests against the body. Early and consistent therapy yields the best chance at long-term function and mobility.

Shoulder Dystocia

Shoulder dystocia occurs when a baby’s shoulder becomes stuck during delivery. When this happens, the baby’s head may emerge but the shoulder becomes trapped behind the mother’s pelvic bone. This complication can result in fractured bones or nerve injuries if not managed promptly by the medical team.

Breech Presentation Injuries

Breech presentation means a baby is positioned to be delivered buttocks first rather than head first. Breech births carry higher risks, and some providers opt for Cesarean sections in these cases to prevent injuries such as brachial plexus damage or oxygen deprivation.

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is the most common childhood disability tied to birth injury in the United States, affecting roughly 10,000 new infants each year. Congenital cerebral palsy can result from irreversible brain damage during delivery and can impair movement, muscle coordination, and physical development. Many affected children also face cognitive challenges, epilepsy, vision problems, hearing loss, or difficulty walking.

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) results from oxygen and blood flow loss to a newborn’s brain near birth. HIE typically affects full-term infants and often happens before or during labor. Prolonged oxygen deprivation can cause lasting brain injury.

Common causes include misuse of labor-inducing medication, dangerous combinations of drugs, delayed C-sections, and infections that cross the placenta. Prompt medical intervention is essential to limit brain damage and improve recovery potential. Hospitals that serve Murraysville are trained to respond quickly to warning signs to help prevent HIE complications.

Key factors that may cause HIE include:

• Misuse of labor-inducing drugs
• Unsafe combinations of medications
• Delays in emergency C-sections or excessive use of vacuum or forceps
• Serious maternal infection during pregnancy
• Low amniotic fluid or high maternal fever during labor
• Umbilical cord problems or placental irregularities
• Failure to monitor or respond to fetal distress

HIE symptoms may not be visible immediately. MRI scans sometimes reveal brain damage months after birth. If medical negligence caused HIE or another birth injury, families may explore options for compensation.

Infections

Certain infections can transfer from mother to fetus before birth or can be acquired by a newborn during the early weeks of life. Timely treatment helps limit their impact and supports better health outcomes for infants.

Postnatal Sepsis

Postnatal sepsis is a blood infection caused by bacteria, which can develop within the first 24 to 48 hours of life. Common symptoms include lethargy, poor feeding, low temperature, and swelling in the soft spots of the baby’s head. Rapid treatment with antibiotics begins after diagnosis to reduce the risk of long-term complications.

Fetal Death

Fetal death due to medical negligence is a devastating outcome for any family. North Carolina law allows parents to seek legal remedies following such events. Understanding these protocols gives families a roadmap for seeking support and accountability if medical error contributed to their loss.

Birth Injury Lawsuits on Behalf of Children & Mothers

A birth injury attorney in Murraysville at our firm reviews the facts of your case and can discuss legal options to help you pursue deserved compensation. Consult a medical malpractice attorney if you believe your child’s birth injury resulted from neglect by a physician or OB/GYN.

Surprisingly Common Mistakes by the Attending Staff

• Many healthcare providers receive ongoing training, but mistakes like outdated practices and lack of awareness of current safety measures can occur. Parents should research the experience and background of the OB/GYN or midwife helping during pregnancy and delivery, including their record with birth injury cases.
• Certain interventions, if performed carelessly or without proper judgment, may harm the baby. For example, manipulating the umbilical cord or using birth instruments incorrectly can injure the baby's shoulders, neck, or head, especially if the baby is large due to gestational diabetes or other factors.
• Some risks may not be clearly communicated to expectant mothers, such as reduced amniotic fluid or the potential for immune reactions leading to oxygen deprivation. Careful prenatal screening and open communication with providers are essential for safe pregnancies and births.

Hospitals in the Murraysville area require their labor and delivery teams to keep up with updated safety training and best practices. Ongoing education and staff accountability contribute to safer outcomes for families.

Are Birth Injuries Preventable?

Some birth injuries are unavoidable, but many can be prevented when providers deliver attentive and thorough medical care. When a provider’s negligence results in harm, families have the right to seek remedies through the legal system.

Common causes of birth injuries include:

• The use of labor-inducing medications or combining drugs without proper monitoring can increase the risk of low oxygen for the infant
• Improper medication levels may cause the placenta to function poorly or create intense contractions that compress the umbilical cord
• Delays in ordering or providing a C-section can lead to injuries for both mother and child
• Untreated maternal infections can cross the placenta, depriving an infant of oxygen and increasing brain injury risk
• Low amniotic fluid or maternal fever during labor may harm the baby’s oxygen supply
• Physical factors, such as a small or large baby in a narrow pelvis, may require extra monitoring to avoid complications during birth
• Unrecognized growth restriction, abnormal fetal heart patterns, or missed signs of a twin pregnancy can signal distress and require rapid intervention

With proper attention from medical teams, many severe emergencies can be avoided or quickly managed. If a provider’s negligence results in a birth injury, you can seek compensation through the courts.

Continuous monitoring of the mother’s vital signs allows healthcare teams to address problems in real time. Early intervention saves lives and helps prevent serious complications whenever possible.

Why Choose Daniel, Holoman & Associates LLP for Your Birth Injury Case in Murraysville?

Choosing a birth injury attorney in Murraysville is a significant decision. At Daniel, Holoman & Associates LLP, we stand apart by limiting the number of cases we handle, which allows us to devote in-depth time and attention to each client. Our attorneys have over 40 years of combined experience handling complex cases, with a strong record of multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts in North Carolina and the Southeast.

Our team prioritizes clear communication, detailed case review, and your long-term interests throughout the legal process. That commitment helps set us apart for families who want a thorough, reliable birth injury attorney in Murraysville.

Contact us by calling (866) 380-2281 today to review the details of your claim with a birth injury attorney in Murraysville.

FAQs

How long do I have to file a birth injury lawsuit in North Carolina?

North Carolina law sets strict deadlines, known as statutes of limitation, for birth injury claims. To preserve your rights, meet with an attorney soon after discovering the injury. Waiting too long may disqualify your claim.

What makes a case eligible for financial compensation due to a birth injury?

Financial compensation may be available if a birth injury resulted from negligent or substandard medical care before, during, or immediately after birth. A birth injury attorney in Murraysville can review your situation and advise whether your circumstances meet state legal criteria for a case.