Every year, thousands of newborns are injured during the birthing process by physicians who act in a negligent manner. These injuries may result in various physical disabilities, including but not limited to limb deficiencies. Compensation may be sought from the treating physician and medical center. But, when seeking compensation for a birth injury, it is important to not only consider the immediate damage, but also the challenges that these children will face throughout their lives.
What is a limb deficiency?
A limb deficiency refers to a condition where an individual's arms, hands, legs, or feet are debilitated in some way. These conditions can appear in a variety of ways. A child may not be able to move a portion of, or an entire limb, or one limb may be significantly smaller than the other. These conditions often stem from congenital conditions that develop within the womb, but an experienced birth injury lawyer knows that they can also be caused by physician actions during a birth, including:
- Failure to deliver in a timely manner
- Forceful extraction of the baby from the birth canal
- Failure to commence a cesarean section in a timely manner
- Improper administration of medications during the labor and delivery phase
Long-term consequences for children with limb deficiencies
Children with limb deficiencies face substantial challenges during their critical formative years. The deficiency may give them an abnormal physical appearance that can lead to a lack of confidence. They may face teasing and name calling from other children. Those with movement limitations may not be able to participate in common childhood activities like riding a bike or playing on a jungle gym. Special accommodations may be necessary for school, as well as other desired extracurricular activities.
All of these consequences have a long-term effect on the psychological wellbeing of a child. Treatment for these conditions often includes the encouragement of self-care and independence, along with tools for adaptation. In some cases, surgical procedures are used to improve the cosmetic appearance caused by the deficiency. These treatments exemplify the difficulties faced by children with limb deficiencies and negligent physicians should be held adequately accountable when their actions cause this type of harm.
Birth injuries can prove extremely difficult for a child and the family. That is why the attorneys of Crandall & Pera Law diligently advocate to secure high value compensation when helpless babies are harmed by medical malpractice. If you are considering a birth injury claim, call one of our conveniently located offices to schedule a confidential consultation. We serve residents of Ohio and Kentucky. Pease call us at 877-686-8879 in Ohio, in Kentucky at 877-686-8879, or fill out our contact form.