Birth Injuries Linked to Autism
by
Michael F. Becker on Jul. 16, 2012
Accident & Injury Medical Malpractice Accident & Injury Personal Injury Accident & Injury Malpractice
Summary: If your child suffered a birth injury caused by medical negligence, like autism, compensation may be available. A Cleveland birth injury attorney can help.
Recent autism research has linked problems at birth to an increased risk of autism. If you believe that a birth injury was the result of medical negligence, you could be entitled to pursue a claim.
To learn what legal options are available, you should contact a Cleveland birth injury attorney as soon as possible. Because these types of cases can be complicated, you would benefit in securing legal counsel from the start.
Autism Stemming from a Birth Injury
Numerous studies have been done that show a potential link between complications at birth and autism. Some of these complications occur during labor and delivery and may be preventable.
One of the common factors appears to be high-risk deliveries. It is especially a concern when the baby’s oxygen is compromised. A lack of adequate oxygen to the brain is already found to increase the risk of other complications, such as brain damage. However, some studies have shown a connection between oxygen deprivation and autism.
When a baby doesn’t receive enough oxygen, it is sometimes the result of medical negligence. This could lead to an obstetrician or another healthcare provider being held liable.
Neonatal anemia is a condition that has also been linked to autism. It results when there is an inadequate amount of red blood cells, which are responsible for providing oxygen. A failure to detect and treat this condition could be a type of preventable birth injury.
Another condition that should be detected and treated by doctors is meconium aspiration, in which the unborn baby swallows waste products inside the womb. This is also found to increase the risk of autism.
Other potential risk factors that are linked to autism include:
• incompatible blood types between child and mother;
• induced labor;
• low birth weight;
• maternal hemorrhaging;
• Caesarean section;
• breech position;
• complications with umbilical cord; and
• other types of fetal distress.
There is no concrete evidence at this point that can link autism to complications at birth definitively. However, when a birth injury occurs, there is still the risk of serious consequences.
No matter what type of injury your child suffered, if you believe it was caused by medical negligence, you could be entitled to compensation to address your medical costs, pain and suffering, future medical care, and other damages.
To learn more about your rights and if you have a legitimate claim worth pursuing, contact The Becker Law Firm as soon as possible. An attorney may be able to help determine liability and assemble the evidence that will be necessary to prove your case.
Due to the complexities surrounding this type of claim, it is best to secure legal representation as soon as possible. This can help preserve evidence and prevent any unnecessary delays, an important consideration because there is a statute of limitations as to when you can file a birth injury claim.
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