How Quickly Are Birth Injuries Noticed?

Sometimes birth injuries are caused by the natural birth process; other times they are a result of medical malpractice. One of the main problems with birth injuries is that some can be detected within a few hours of birth, whereas others can not be diagnosed until later in a child’s life. Sadly, the more severe birth injuries are often the last to be detected, such as those relating to learning or developmental disabilities.

At Polewski & Associates, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of excellence and possess more than two decades of litigation experience to get you the settlement you deserve.

Detection of Birth Injuries

Some types of birth injuries are immediately apparent, so they can be diagnosed and treated right after birth. These include bruising, forcep marks, swelling of the scalp, facial paralysis, fractures and subconjunctival hemorrhage (ruptures to the small blood vessels of your eye)

Unfortunately, the more severe injuries may not surface until later in your baby’s life such as:

• Cerebral Palsy: A condition characterized by involuntary movements, learning disabilities and speech problems.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: The diagnosis of spinal cord injury is often missed in newborns.
• Brachial Plexus Injuries: Brachial plexus injuries, such as Erb’s palsy, can also be challenging to detect in newborns, as it is diagnosed by a low muscle tone or strength, limpness, and lack of sensation on the arms or hands.

If your child has suffered a birth injury in the Dallas, Texas area, please contact Polewski & Associates to arrange a no-cost, confidential consultation to hear the details of your case.