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Birth injuries can have profound and lasting effects on a child’s development and quality of life. While some birth injuries may heal with time, others can lead to significant long-term challenges that impact a child’s physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being.
One of the primary reasons that our peers at Marsh | Rickard | Bryan, LLC, helps families whose babies suffered serious birth injuries, is because they know just how much the long-term, lifetime costs of care for someone with debilitating disabilities can be. Today, they’re shedding light on what goes into calculating a birth injury settlement.
Physical Impacts
Birth injuries can result in a range of physical impairments, including:
- Cerebral Palsy: This is a common birth injury resulting from brain damage during birth. It affects muscle coordination and body movement, potentially leading to mobility issues, muscle spasticity, and difficulties with fine motor skills. Children with cerebral palsy often require physical therapy, assistive devices, and sometimes surgical interventions to manage their condition.
- Brachial Plexus Injury: This injury affects the network of nerves controlling the arm and hand. It can lead to weakness or paralysis in the affected arm, requiring physical therapy and possibly surgical procedures to improve function.
- Fractures and Dislocations: Injuries such as broken bones or dislocated joints can result from difficult deliveries. While these injuries may heal with appropriate treatment, they can sometimes lead to long-term mobility issues or complications.
Cognitive and Developmental Impacts
Birth injuries can also affect cognitive and developmental milestones, including:
- Developmental Delays: Children with birth injuries may experience delays in reaching developmental milestones such as walking, talking, or learning basic motor skills. Early intervention programs and therapies can help mitigate some of these delays, but ongoing support and monitoring are often required.
- Learning Disabilities: Some birth injuries can impact cognitive function, leading to learning disabilities or difficulties with academic performance. Special education services and individualized learning plans may be necessary to support these children throughout their education.
- Behavioral and Emotional Challenges: The stress and limitations imposed by a birth injury can affect a child’s emotional and behavioral development. Children may struggle with anxiety, depression, or social interactions, requiring psychological support and counseling.
Financial and Caregiving Considerations
The long-term care and management of birth injuries can be financially and emotionally taxing for families:
- Substantial medical expenses can result from ongoing medical treatments, therapies, and assistive devices. Families may need to budget for regular doctor visits, physical and occupational therapy, and surgical procedures.
- Children with birth injuries may require special education services, which can involve additional costs for specialized schooling, tutoring, and support services.
- Depending on the severity of the injury, a child may need additional caregiving support. This could include hiring personal care assistants, modifying the home environment to accommodate physical limitations, and providing ongoing emotional support.
Your Legal Options in a Birth Injury Claim
Families facing the challenges of a birth injury should consider seeking legal and support resources. If a birth injury was caused by medical negligence, pursuing a legal claim can help secure compensation for medical expenses, future care costs, and emotional distress. Consulting with a birth injury lawyer can provide guidance on navigating this process.
Connecting with support groups and services for families dealing with birth injuries can offer valuable resources, information, and emotional support. These organizations can help families manage the practical and emotional aspects of long-term care.
