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Recognizing the Signs of Birth Injuries in Newborns
The birth of a child is one of life’s most cherished moments. But for some parents in Washington, DC, this joy can be overshadowed by unexpected medical complications. While not all birth injuries are immediately obvious, many present subtle signs that something isn’t right. Recognizing these early signs is critical—not only for your child’s health but also to preserve your right to seek justice if medical negligence played a role.
More information about Birth Injuries here.
At Regan Zambri Long Personal Injury Lawyers, we work with families who suspect something went wrong during childbirth. This guide will help you understand the signs of birth injuries, when to act, and how legal intervention can help protect your child’s future.
Birth injuries are physical harm sustained by a baby during labor, delivery, or shortly after birth. Some are minor and resolve on their own, but others are severe, permanent, and caused by medical negligence. Common birth injuries include:
Brachial plexus injuries (Erb’s palsy)
Cerebral palsy
Fractured collarbones
Facial paralysis
Brain injuries from oxygen deprivation (hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy)
Spinal cord injuries
While some injuries are noticeable immediately, others develop over days, weeks, or even months. This makes early observation essential. New parents should be especially vigilant for the following symptoms:
Limited movement in one arm or leg could indicate nerve damage, especially if the baby favors one side of the body or doesn’t react to touch. Erb’s palsy, a type of brachial plexus injury, often presents this way and is commonly associated with shoulder dystocia during delivery.
A weak or absent cry, trouble breathing, or failure to respond to stimuli like light or sound may signal neurological damage. Babies with brain injuries may have difficulty feeding, suffer seizures, or appear unusually floppy or rigid.
Facial asymmetry when crying or feeding can be a sign of facial nerve damage, often caused by pressure during delivery or improper use of forceps.
Bruising or swelling on the head, especially if accompanied by irritability or lethargy, could suggest a skull fracture or intracranial bleeding. These injuries may result from trauma during birth and require immediate imaging to confirm.
Poor sucking or swallowing reflexes, arching of the back during feeding, or frequent choking may indicate a neurological or muscular issue. These signs often accompany conditions like cerebral palsy or brain hypoxia.
If your newborn exhibits jitteriness, tremors, or full seizures, these are strong indicators of underlying brain dysfunction. Immediate evaluation is necessary.
Developmental delays are often the first sign of a birth injury that wasn’t obvious at birth. If your child fails to meet milestones such as rolling over, sitting up, or crawling, it could point to an underlying issue from delivery.
Some birth injuries are caused by conditions outside of the doctor’s control. However, many result from preventable errors, such as:
Failure to monitor fetal heart rate and recognize distress
Delays in performing a necessary cesarean section
Improper use of forceps or vacuum extraction tools
Inadequate response to complications like shoulder dystocia
Failure to treat maternal infections can affect the newborn
Improper administration of Pitocin or other labor-inducing drugs
If these errors occurred, and your baby is now showing signs of injury, it’s important to act quickly.
Medical records, including fetal monitoring strips, delivery room notes, and Apgar scores, are critical in evaluating whether negligence occurred. At Regan Zambri Long, our team immediately begins securing these documents and consulting with independent medical experts to determine whether the standard of care was breached.
Once a diagnosis is confirmed—whether it’s cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, or another condition—a comprehensive legal claim can be filed to recover compensation for:
Medical treatment and therapy
Long-term care needs
Assistive devices and home modifications
Special education services
Loss of earning potential
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress for both the child and the parents
In Washington, DC, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims is generally three years. However, for birth injury claims involving children, the time limit may be extended, depending on when the injury is discovered. That said, early legal consultation is essential to build the strongest case possible.
Many parents feel guilt, confusion, or fear when confronted with the possibility that a doctor may have made a mistake. These emotions are valid. But pursuing a legal claim is not about assigning blame—it’s about protecting your child’s right to the care and support they’ll need for years to come.
Our attorneys work with compassion and discretion, always putting your family’s well-being first. We collaborate with pediatric neurologists, neonatologists, and birth injury specialists to provide a clear, evidence-based account of what happened—and what your child will need to thrive.
It’s also important to recognize that not all injuries result in obvious disability. Some children may appear normal in the early months but develop cognitive, motor, or social challenges later in life. In these cases, parents should trust their instincts and seek both medical and legal evaluations if concerns arise.
Raising a child with a birth injury is a journey that no family chooses, but with the right support, it is one that can be faced with hope. Legal compensation not only provides access to better care, but it also helps families regain a sense of control and justice.
At Regan Zambri Long, we’re here to walk with you every step of the way. If your newborn is showing signs of a birth injury, or if you’ve already received a diagnosis and suspect medical negligence may be the cause, don’t wait. Contact our Washington, DC office today for a free consultation. We’ll help you uncover the truth and fight for the future your child deserves.