What is the Difference Between a Birth Defect and a Birth Injury?

Birth defects usually occur prior to birth, while birth injuries often occur during labor and delivery or shortly thereafter. Birth defects may result from genetics, chromosomal problems, medications the mother took during pregnancy, chemicals she was exposed to while pregnant, or infection. Birth injuries, on the other hand, may be caused by a failure of the physician to appropriately diagnose and/or respond to the condition of the mother or the baby. Birth injuries may also be caused by a failure of communication between doctors and other medical staff. In these cases, birth injuries may be preventable, and you may be able to hold those medical professionals responsible for the injury your child sustained.

There are many different types of birth injuries, however some of the most common include cerebral palsy (caused by brain damage often occurring during the labor and delivery process), hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) (a disorder characterized by a lack of oxygen or blood flow to the brain during labor or delivery), and brachial plexus injury (an injury to the nerves affecting the spinal cord, shoulder, arm, hand, and fingers). These injuries can be the result of negligence on part of the healthcare professionals delivering the baby, such as a delay in delivery or the improper use of vacuum or forceps.

A birth injury lawyer can help you determine if you have a birth injury claim, so please call us at 877-262-9767 for a free consultation.