Houston Birth Injury Lawyer

Houston Birth Injury Attorneys

child birth

Having a baby is supposed to be one of the most precious moments of a couple’s lifetime. Unfortunately, for those who are the victims of medical negligence during childbirth, this precious moment can be turned into a nightmare. Medical malpractice during labor and delivery accounts for birth injuries in approximately 28,000 births per year in America according to the Center for Disease Control. If your child has suffered a birth injury, contact a birth injury lawyer to determine your rights. Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. offer a free case evaluation. If we take your case, we charge no fees unless we make a recovery. (713) 932-0777.

Types of Birth Injuries

Medical negligence can cause a number of different injuries to a child. Some of the most common types of injuries that result from medical malpractice during childbirth are:

Causes of Injuries to Babies During Childbirth

There are several ways in which a baby can be injured during the birthing process as a result of medical negligence. Modern medical standards require proper monitoring of the mother and the fetus throughout the labor and delivery process. Some of these causes include:

  • Medical Negligence in Fetal Hear Monitoring
  • Misuse of Forceps During Birth
  • Misuse of a Vacuum During Birth
  • Allowing Compression of the Umbilical Cord During Birth
  • Failure to Properly Attend to and Monitor the Baby and/or the Mother

Medical Negligence in Fetal Heart Monitoring

A fetal heart monitor is used to ensure that the heart is beating and healthy throughout the process. Sudden changes in heart rate or drops can be picked up and evaluated. In this manner, the fetal heart monitor serves a warning system to doctors and nurses to tell them whether and when it is safe to proceed. It can be a major part of the decision of whether or not safety requires a cesarean vs natural birth. Failure to regularly watch the fetal heart monitor and recognize the warning signs can result in severe and permanent injuries to a baby.

Traumatic Brain Injury Due to Misuse of Forceps or a Vacuum

Forceps or a Vacuum may be employed in some childbirths. These tools are intended to be used as an aid to assist the baby out of the birth canal in more complex births. Unfortunately, misuse of these items can lead to severe and permanent brain injury to a child. This is often seen where a baby is simply too big to be naturally born through the birth canal so the doctor forcefully removes the baby. Forceps, in particular, can crush a baby’s skull resulting in bleeding inside the skull from the brain. This type of injury may be noted in the medical records as traumatic brain injury, intracranial hemorrhage, or subarachnoid hemorrhage. This is a very serious injury and is likely to be the result of medical negligence. If this has happened to your child, call a birth injury lawyer immediately.

Brachial Plexus Injury and Erbs Palsy Due to Misuse of Forceps or a Vacuum

A brachial plexus injury is an injury to the nerves that run through the neck down into the arm. Erbs Palsy is a paralysis in the hand, arm, or even face that can result from injury to the brachial plexus. During the birthing process, if forceps or a vacuum device are not used in a cautious and prudent manner, twisting and turning the baby’s head with too much force can cause injury to the brachial plexus. This injury may be the result of misuse of the forceps or failing to recognize when a c-section should have been performed vs natural childbirth. You should discuss your case with a lawyer.

Umbilical Cord Injuries and Oxygen Deprivation During Childbirth

A baby gets its oxygen from its mother via the umbilical cord. If the cord is not properly attended to during the labor and delivery, it can be compressed like a hose, thereby cutting off the oxygen flow to the baby. Additionally, in cases where the baby has or must be turned, the cord can become wrapped around the baby’s neck if the doctor is not careful. Oxygen deprivation to the brain from either of these conditions can result in severe brain damage to a baby.

Talk To a Birth Injury Lawyer

Children are a gift from God. Your childbirth experience should not be ruined due to the gross neglect of a negligent medical provider. Talk to an experienced healthcare liability lawyer to learn your rights. Call Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. today if you suspect that your child and/or the mother may have suffered a birth injury caused by a doctor’s medical negligence. The consultation is always free. And you do not pay us a dime unless we win your case.

Additional Information: Children’s Hospitals

If your child is a survivor of a birth injury, you should be aware that Texas has many hospitals that aim to provide specialized care for children.  Below you will find lists of some of those hospitals:

Children's Hospitals in Austin

Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas Hospital
4900 Mueller Blvd
Austin, TX 78723
Phone: 512-324-0000

Dell Children’s Pediatric Specialty Center
1301 Medical Parkway, Suite 200
Cedar Park, TX 78613
Phone: 512-380-9200

St. David’s Children’s Hospital
12221 North Mopac Expressway
Austin, TX 78758
Phone: 512-901-1000

Children's Hospitals in Dallas

Children’s Medical Center Dallas
1935 Medical District Drive
Dallas, Texas 75235
Phone: 844-4CHILDRENS

Children’s Medical Center Plano
7601 Preston Road
Plano, Texas 75024
Phone: 469-303-7000

Cook Children’s Medical Center
801 7th Ave.
Fort Worth, TX 76104
Phone: 682-885-4000

Our Children’s House Dallas
1340 Empire Central
Dallas, TX 75247
Phone: 214-867-6700

Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children – Dallas
2222 Welborn Street
Dallas, Texas 75219
Phone: 214-559-5000
Phone: 800-421-1121

Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children – Plano
7000 W. Plano Parkway
Plano, Texas 75093
Phone: 469-515-7100

Children's Hospitals in Houston

Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital
6411 Fannin
Houston, TX 77030
Phone: 713-704-KIDS (5437)

Shriners Hospitals for Children — Houston
6977 Main St.
Houston, TX 77030
Phone: 713-797-1616

Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women
6651 Main Street
Houston, TX 77030
Phone: 832-826-3000

Texas Children’s Hospital Autism Center
8080 N. Stadium Drive
Houston, TX 77054
Patients: 832-822-1900

Texas Children’s West Tower
6621 Fannin Street
Houston, TX 77030
Phone: 832-824-1000

Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus
18200 Katy Freeway (I-10 and Barker Cypress)
Houston, TX 77094
Phone: 832-227-1000

Texas Children’s Specialty Care Upper Kirby
3023 Kirby Dr., Suite 201
Houston, TX 77098
Phone: 713-533-9016

Texas Children’s Specialty Care Bellaire
6330 West Loop South
Bellaire, TX 77401
Phone: 713-839-0164

Children's Hospitals in San Antonio

Children’s Health at University Hospital
4502 Medical Drive
San Antonio, TX  78229
Phone: 210-358- KIDS (5437)

Methodist Children’s Hospital
7700 Floyd Curl Dr
San Antonio, TX 78229
Phone: 210-575-7000

The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio
333 N. Santa Rosa Street
San Antonio, Texas 78207
Phone: 210-704-2011

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