— Top Pennsylvania and New Jersey Attorneys
Did You Know? Labor & Delivery Warning Signs
When Something Feels Wrong During Labor and Delivery, It Should Be Evaluated
As a Philadelphia personal injury attorney, Fritz & Bianculli evaluates birth injury cases to determine whether something preventable occurred. Most births proceed without complication. But not all do. And when something feels off—during labor, delivery, or immediately after—it is important not to ignore that instinct. Because birth injuries are not always unavoidable. In some cases, they may be linked to medical decision-making, delayed responses, or preventable errors.
Most births proceed without complication. But not all do. And when something feels off—during labor, delivery, or immediately after—it is important not to ignore that instinct. Because birth injuries are not always unavoidable. In some cases, they may be linked to medical decision-making, delayed responses, or preventable errors.
Not Every Outcome Is “Just One of Those Things”
Families are often told that complications during birth were:
- Unavoidable
- A matter of chance
- Simply part of the risk of childbirth
While that may be true in some situations, it is not true in all.
Certain injuries can occur when:
- Fetal distress is not properly recognized
- A C-section is delayed when it should have been performed
- Excessive force is used during delivery
- Known risk factors are not appropriately managed
When that happens, the outcome may not be accidental. It may be preventable.
Common Birth Injuries That Should Be Evaluated
- Cerebral palsy
- Shoulder dystocia-related injuries
- Brachial plexus injuries (including Erb’s palsy)
- Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
- Brain injuries due to lack of oxygen
- Fractures during delivery
- Nerve damage
Some of these conditions may result in lifelong challenges, requiring ongoing care and support.
The Importance of Early Evaluation
Birth injury cases are highly fact-specific. A proper evaluation involves reviewing:
- Labor and delivery records
- Fetal monitoring strips
- Timing of medical decisions
- Actions taken by the medical team
- Whether standards of care were followed
This type of review can determine whether the outcome was unavoidable—or preventable.
Trusting Your Instincts Matters
Parents are often the first to sense when something is not right. That instinct should not be dismissed. If there are questions about what occurred during labor or delivery, having those questions reviewed is important.
A Consultation Comes at No Cost
An evaluation of a potential birth injury case does not require any upfront cost. It allows families to:
- Understand what happened
- Determine whether standards of care were followed
- Identify whether further action is warranted
Seeking answers does not commit anyone to a lawsuit. It simply provides clarity.
Why This Matters
The impact of a birth injury is not limited to a single moment. It can affect:
- A child’s long-term development
- A family’s financial future
- The level of care required over a lifetime
Understanding whether that outcome could have been prevented is a critical step.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered a birth injury?
A birth injury is harm sustained by a baby during labor or delivery, which may result from natural complications or medical issues.
Are all birth injuries preventable?
No. Some are unavoidable. However, others may result from delayed decisions or failure to recognize warning signs.
What is cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition that can be caused by brain injury or lack of oxygen during birth, affecting movement and coordination.
What is shoulder dystocia?
Shoulder dystocia occurs when a baby’s shoulder becomes stuck during delivery, which can lead to nerve injuries if not properly managed.
When should a birth injury be evaluated?
If there were complications during labor or delivery or concerns about how the delivery was handled, an evaluation is appropriate.
Does it cost anything to have a case reviewed?
No. Consultations for these types of cases are typically provided at no cost.
Practice Areas Where This Applies
About Fritz & Bianculli
At Fritz & Bianculli, birth injury cases fall within a broader focus on serious injury litigation, including:
• Medical Malpractice (Birth Injuries)
• Catastrophic Injury Cases
• Neurological and Brain Injury Cases
These cases require detailed review of medical records, expert analysis, and understanding of standards of care.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Product Liability
Premises Liability
Workplace Injuries
Construction Accidents
When something doesn’t feel right, it’s worth asking why. Because in some cases, the difference between an unavoidable outcome and a preventable one comes down to what was done—and when.
Video Transcript
Birth injuries aren’t always bad luck.
Hi, I’m Carrie. As a singer, songwriter and performing artist, everything changed for me when I became a mom. Nothing breaks my heart more than hearing about families whose lives are forever changed because of a birth injury. These families face challenges that will affect not just their child, but their entire future.
But did you know that these injuries are not always just a matter of bad luck?
Did you know?
If you’ve heard terms like cerebral palsy, shoulder dystocia, or other serious birth injuries, it’s important to know that these conditions are sometimes linked to preventable medical mistakes. And as a mom, if you instinctively feel that something wasn’t right during your labor or delivery, that feeling matters.
I’m joined by Kristy Fischer, a partner here at Fritz and Bianculli, to help explain how some of these injuries may not simply be bad luck.
Thanks, Carrie. That’s right. In many cases, conditions like cerebral palsy can be associated with a lack of oxygen during childbirth. Excessive force, or delayed response during delivery can cause injuries like shoulder dystocia.
What we find is that these injuries stem from poor planning inattentiveness or medical mistakes that simply should not happen.
Kristy, what would you recommend for families who have experienced something like this?
As one mom to another, trust your instincts. If something went wrong, get answers. Families facing lifelong challenges should get answers and can do so at no cost to them.
So if your family is dealing with any birth injuries, please reach out to Fritz and Bianculli, or simply click the link below. Fritz and Bianculli is here to help you get answers. We’ll see you next time on Did You Know?
Fritz and Bianculli – a different kind of law firm for the seriously injured.