Becoming paralyzed can forever change a person’s life. When this happens to a newborn baby, Maryland parents may be at a loss for what to do next. To start, parents should learn what can cause paralysis in newborns so that they can get justice for their children.
Unfortunately, negligence on behalf of doctors during birth is a common cause of paralysis in newborns in Maryland. Excessive force during delivery and failure to identify and treat infections might cause partial or total paralysis in your newborn. Nerve damage during birth can worsen over time, leading to reduced mobility in children. As soon as you notice an issue, visit a pediatrician and speak to an attorney. An experienced Maryland lawyer can help you file a birth injury lawsuit so that you can hold a negligent doctor accountable for harming your child.
Our attorneys are dedicated to helping Maryland parents and their children get the justice they deserve. For a free case evaluation with the Baltimore birth injury lawyers at Rice, Murtha & Psoras (410) 694-7291.
Common Causes of Paralysis in Newborns in Maryland
Unfortunately, trauma during birth is one of the primary causes of paralysis in newborns in Maryland and beyond. When a negligent doctor acts inappropriately during the birthing process, using excessive force, a child might sustain serious head injuries or nerve damage, leading to either partial or total paralysis.
The improper use of forceps to extract a baby during delivery might cause head trauma, like skill fractures or paralysis of the facial nerves. Prolonged delivery or pregnancy not addressed by a doctor might also lead to nerve damage. The use of forceps or excessive force to remove a baby during birth might lead to serious spinal cord birth injuries that result in total paralysis.
If an umbilical cord is wrapped around a baby’s neck during birth, and a negligent Maryland doctor fails to remove it quickly enough, it could lead to anoxia. This lack of oxygen can cause serious brain damage as well as paralysis in newborn babies.
Brachial plexus injuries caused by excessive pulling on a baby’s shoulder, arms, or hands might lead to Erb’s palsy, which can cause weakening and atrophy in the muscles of the arms, leading to partial paralysis.
Other acts of negligence, like failure to identify and treat certain infections and illnesses in mothers or babies, might lead to paralysis in newborns in Maryland. If, after your child’s recent birth, you noticed issues with their movement, speak to a Maryland personal injury lawyer immediately. It is important to document your child’s injuries as soon as possible so that you can ultimately hold a Maryland doctor accountable for their negligence.
What Should You Do if Your Newborn is Paralyzed in Maryland?
Depending on your child’s initial birth injury, you might not notice paralysis in your newborn until days, weeks, months, or even years after their birth. Some injuries are progressive, while others appear right away. Regardless of when you realize your child has sustained birth injuries and is losing mobility, there are several things you should do.
If you have any concerns about your child’s lack of mobility, take them to a pediatrician right away. Some key indicators of paralysis include the inability to make facial expressions, grasp objects, or meet certain developmental markers. If your child’s mobility worsens over time, visit a pediatrician. A medical professional can run the necessary tests to look for nerve damage and muscle issues to determine whether or not your child sustained certain birth injuries that led to paralysis.
Some types of paralysis, like total paralysis caused by spinal cord damage, are obvious almost immediately after birth. If a negligent doctor caused spinal cord damage to your child during birth, they might be hesitant to inform you of your baby’s injuries or their cause. Parents might be confused and afraid if a baby is injured during birth and a doctor is not forthcoming about the cause. The best thing to do in that situation is to seek care elsewhere. Let another medical professional assess your child and identify the cause of their paralysis.
Once your child has been diagnosed, seek help from an experienced Baltimore personal injury lawyer. An attorney can investigate your case and advise you on how best to move forward. Depending on the available evidence, you may be able to sue a negligent Maryland hospital or doctor for causing your child’s paralysis.
Filing a Maryland Lawsuit for Newborn Paralysis
Birth injury lawsuits are often difficult. Holding a negligent hospital accountable through a lawsuit can be an extremely emotional process for parents. Call a Maryland attorney if your child was paralyzed because of a negligent doctor’s actions. You may be able to file a lawsuit and get justice for your baby.
In Maryland, the statute of limitations for parents to file a medical malpractice claim is five years from the date of injury or three years from the date of discovery, whichever comes sooner. If your child wishes to bring a claim themselves, they have three years after reaching the age of majority to do so. Because the filing deadline for parents to sue is relatively short, and because, contrary to popular belief, paralysis is not always immediately apparent, it is important for parents to hire an attorney immediately after realizing an issue.
Once you enlist help from an experienced Aberdeen personal injury lawyer, they can begin building your case. To prove a negligent doctor’s fault, an attorney will analyze a mother’s medical records, a baby’s medical records, and a doctor’s notes regarding a birth. Eyewitnesses might be able to attest to a doctor’s negligence during birth, and medical experts may be able to identify what exactly caused your child’s paralysis.
By filing a lawsuit, Maryland parents can hold negligent hospitals and doctors accountable for the harm done to their children. If your claim is successful, you may be able to recover compensation for past, current, and future accommodations and treatments your child may require because of their paralysis.
Call Lawyers About Your Maryland Birth Injury Claim Today
If a negligent Maryland doctor caused your child to become paralyzed, our attorneys can help. For a free case evaluation with the Annapolis personal injury lawyers at Rice, Murtha & Psoras (410) 694-7291.