Lake Charles Infant Skull Fracture Attorneys

Bringing a new child into the world should be the most joyful experience in a family’s life. The primary concern of every parent after delivery is the child’s health. Needless to say, discovering that your newborn baby has a skull fracture can be one of the most horrific things that can happen to new parents. When these fractures are due to a negligent medical team or a defective medical device, the fear and worry about the child’s health is coupled with a sense of anger and injustice that can very quickly become overwhelming.

The Lake Charles birth injury attorneys of Veron Bice, LLC have helped many families whose newborn babies have experienced injuries, and we are ready to help you too. We understand what you are facing, both emotionally and financially, and we are ready to advocate aggressively on your behalf so that you and your family can recover the compensation you deserve for the harm done to your baby.

If your newborn baby suffered from skull fractures during the birthing process, contact us today at 337-310-1600 for a free consultation. Our compassionate and experienced lawyers will talk you through your legal options.

What Can Cause Fractures in an Infant’s Skull During Labor or Delivery?

The skull plates of an infant child’s skull are not yet fused together. This is one of the main reasons such great care needs to be taken when handling the baby’s head. Unfortunately, it also means that the skull is particularly susceptible to injury if the utmost care is not taken during the birthing process.

Some common causes of infant skull fractures are:

• Mistakes involving vacuum extractors and forceps – These are instruments that birthing professionals employ when the infant is not moving smoothly through the birth canal and is essentially “stuck.” Sometimes, these situations call for some degree of force to pull the child out. If too much pressure is applied with the forceps or the vacuum extractor, the skull can fracture.
• Manual repositioning of the infant – In some cases, a doctor might manually manipulate the position of the child rather than using tools. If excessive force is applied in this process, the skull can easily be damaged.
• Cesarean section errors – In complicated birthing situations, an emergency C-section may become necessary. Sometimes the speed with which this procedure needs to be performed leads to birthing professionals being less careful than they should be with the baby’s head.
• Undiagnosed infant injuries or conditions – Certain abnormalities or injuries of the infant’s head require medical intervention when the fetus is still in the womb. If these conditions are undiagnosed, the skull can fracture during the normal birthing process.
• Undiagnosed cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD) – If the mother’s pelvis is disproportionately small for the infant’s head, the resulting pressure can fracture the baby’s skull.
• Dropping the baby – If a birthing professional drops your baby during or after delivery, the skull can easily fracture. This is the case even if the drop is relatively “small.”

It is important for expectant parents to be aware of the various problems that may lead to infant skull fractures before the birthing process has begun, so that they can keep their eye on situations that might lead to problems for their baby.

The experienced birth injury attorneys at Veron Bice, LLC understand how shocking it can be to discover that one of the above factors has led to potentially permanent injuries to your child. We can work with you to recover compensation that can help you cover your birth-injury-related expenses and protect your family and your child’s well-being going forward.

How Do I Know if My Child Has a Skull Fracture?

Because of the pliability of infants’ skulls, there are certain types of fractures that commonly occur in newborns. These include:

• Linear skull fractures – This type of fracture is a break in the bone of a skull that does not involve the displacement of any bones. While this type of fracture is not as problematic as others, it is still essential that the condition is assessed. There may be bleeding beneath the skull, which can create serious problems if left untreated.
• Depressed skull fractures – This type of fracture occurs when a part of the skull is sunken or depressed from where it should be. They are often caused by injuries from excessive force of instruments such as forceps. These fractures can cause bleeding and increased pressure on the brain. They often require surgical intervention.
• Diastatic skull fractures – These fractures occur along the suture lines of the baby’s skull. Sutures are there to allow for the expansion of the skull as the brain grows. In a fracture of this type, the normal suture lines expand. This can lead to damage as your baby grows up.

Whatever the type of fracture, a diagnosis is often possible if the baby has symptoms, including:

• Frequent irritability or crying
• Sensitivity to light and sounds
• Seizures
• Lethargy
• Abnormal eye movement
• Restlessness
• Refusing to nurse
• Swelling or bruising of the head
• Misshapen head
• Fluids or blood leaking from ears, eyes, or nose
• Brain damage or traumatic brain injury

If you have noticed any of these symptoms, or if you have any reason to suspect that your newborn has experienced a skull fracture, it is important that you have your child assessed by a medical professional as soon as possible. Additionally, an experienced birth injury lawyer will help you understand how to move forward in pursuit of compensation if the unthinkable has occurred.

Contact an Experienced Lake Charles Birth Injury Lawyer

When you are worried about the health of your child due to the negligence of others, your focus should be on getting them the help they need. The Lake Charles infant skull fracture attorneys of Veron Bice, LLC are here to help. Let us take care of the legal procedures necessary to recover the compensation you deserve. That will leave you free to put your energy into taking care of your child and your family.

Contact Veron Bice, LLC today by calling 337-310-1600. The initial consultation is free, and we will not charge you any legal fees until we have recovered financial damages on your behalf.