Recognizing Signs of Birth Injuries

Word Count: 665

Context: Sample blog created for the Fortunus Media portfolio to demonstrate SEO-optimized legal content writing.

Client: Fictional website, BirthInjuryLawyers.ca—a lead-generation platform connecting families affected by birth injuries with qualified lawyers.

Year: 2025

Target Audience: Parents and caregivers seeking information about medical negligence and potential compensation options (informational search stage).

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Birth injuries or birth trauma are any physical harm or damage a baby sustains before, during, or after delivery. They can cause various short- and long-term conditions, ranging from bruising and cephalohematoma to nerve damage and brachial palsy.

Read to learn about the signs of birth injuries and whether you can recover compensation for you or your baby’s losses.

What Is a Birth Injury?

A birth injury happens to a baby before, during, or after the delivery process.

Mild birth injuries can go away on their own, but severe ones can lead to lifelong complications such as brain damage and developmental delays.

Examples of birth injuries include:

• Bruising

• Cephalohematoma

• Brachial palsy, which happens when the nerve group that supplies the hands and arms is injured

• Nerve damage (like facial paralysis or brachial plexus injuries)

• Skull fractures that lead to brain injuries

Physical Birth Injury Signs to Watch for in Newborns

Several physical signs may suggest a newborn has birth injuries. Here are the most common signs and symptoms of birth injuries:

• High-pitched crying

• Stiff or loose muscles

• Arched back while crying

• Difficulty eating, suckling, or swallowing

• Slow heart rate

Behavioural or Developmental Signs of Birth Injuries

If you notice behavioural or developmental changes, they may be related to an underlying birth injury.

Behavioural or developmental signs of birth injuries include the following in infancy:

• Developmental delays, including struggles with rolling over, head control, walking, or crawling

• Unusual irritability or crying, which may indicate nerve pain or discomfort

• Seizures that may be a sign of brain damage caused by birth injuries

• Hearing or vision problems, which may also indicate brain damage

Signs of birth injuries for toddlers include:

• Cognitive delays, including challenges with learning, memory, or problem-solving

• Auditory or visual issues that become more obvious as the child grows

• Fine motor skill difficulties, including trouble using utensils or doing activities

• Coordination and balance issues that emerge during the toddler years

• Behavioral challenges, such as difficulties with emotional regulation or social interaction

Can I Sue a Hospital or Doctor for Birth Injuries?

Yes. If you or your child’s birth injuries were the result of a medical professional or system’s negligence, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit against the responsible parties.

Medical negligence is when a healthcare provider fails to provide you and/or your baby with the expected level of care, leading to injury.

Talk to BirthInjuryLawyers.ca to learn more about suing a hospital or doctor for birth injuries. The skilled lawyers in our network can provide legal advice, compassionate support, and help you get the compensation you deserve.

Legal Options for Birth Injuries

If your lawyer says you’re eligible to sue a medical professional for you or your baby’s birth injuries, they may recommend several legal options.

Legal options for birth injuries include:

• Personal injury lawsuit: If you developed a birth injury due to a medical professional’s negligence, you can file a personal injury lawsuit. A successful lawsuit can provide compensation for future earnings, lost income, and pain and suffering.

• Wrongful death lawsuit: If your baby died as a result of their birth injuries, you can file a wrongful death lawsuit. If successful, you can get compensation for the losses caused by your child’s death. Compensation may cover funeral costs, medical expenses, and intangible losses like loss of companionship.

Talk to BirthInjuryLawyers.ca to learn more about your legal options.

Find a Trusted Birth Injury Lawyer Near You

Medical professionals are supposed to provide mothers and their babies with the best level of care. 

Accordingly, you have every right to be alarmed if you spot signs of birth injuries in your child or your own medical history.

If you suspect you or your baby’s birth injuries were caused by a doctor’s negligence, you may be able to sue the doctor and their hospital for damages.

Talk to BirthInjuryLawyers.ca to learn more about your next steps. We can connect you with a compassionate and knowledgeable lawyer near you.

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References

Dumpa, V., & Kamity, R. (2021). Birth Trauma. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539831/

Pandit, S. (2009). Medical negligence: Coverage of the profession, duties, ethics, case law, and enlightened defense - A legal perspective. Indian Journal of Urology, 25(3), 372–378. https://doi.org/10.4103/0970-1591.56206

Stanford Medicine Children's Health. (n.d.). default - Stanford Children’s Health. Www.stanfordchildrens.org. https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=birth-injuries-90-P02687