According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), about 7 in every 1,000 children will suffer from a birth injury. This number does not take into consideration the children who are diagnosed later in life.

There are four common types of birth injuries: Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy, Cerebral Palsy, Brachial Plexus injuries, and Preeclampsia-related conditions. Each injury can be a result of negligence. For example, with proper treatment of preeclampsia, a happy, healthy baby may enter this world. But unfortunately, there are times when medical staff fail to properly diagnose or treat the condition, resulting in a traumatic birth experience and permanent injury to the infant, such as brain damage or cerebral palsy. 

If you or a loved one feel a medical care provider failed to fulfill their duty of care during labor and delivery, there may be grounds for a malpractice claim. 

Birth Injury Statistics

Families who have a child with a birth injury may search endlessly for answers—a comforting task in a sea of the unknown. Some parents may wonder what went wrong, while others may search for someone, or something, to blame. All parents will wonder if the injury could have been prevented. 

Birth injuries caused by negligence are preventable. It is your right as a parent to seek answers and justice for the pain, suffering and catastrophic care expenses your child, and inevitably, your family will endure.

Despite devastating outcomes and unfathomable scenarios, know that you and your family are not alone.

A study completed in the early 2000s, by CRICO Strategies, reviewed more than 800 medical negligence and birth injury cases. The study concluded that 77% of cases resulted from a clinical judgment error on part of the attending obstetrician while 36% of the cases showed birth injuries due to miscommunication. Another 26% of cases resulted from technical errors. 

Today, the statistics are just as alarming. According to Birth Injury Guide, a birth injury advocacy group, birth injuries show an alarming trend of medical negligence as shown below.

• 28,000 infants are born each year with a birth injury. 
• Birth injuries are highest for mothers, ages 25-34, with birthing tool-assisted deliveries.
• Black and Hispanic patients experience lower rates of birth injuries compared to Whites and Asian-Pacific Islanders.
• Rural birth injuries are 33% more prevalent than urban birth injuries.

Get Resources For Supporting Your Child

When you experience a birth injury, your life undoubtedly changes. To help, we’ve created this free ebook containing the resources that have helped our many clients support their families after the unthinkable. Download this free ebook now for top support groups, de-mystify medical jargon, and explain how to know when it’s time to seek justice through legal action.