The birth of a child is often the most joyous time in a parent's life, and thankfully most child deliveries go as smoothly as expected, with any difficulties successfully overcome. Unfortunately, complications can arise during both pregnancy and delivery and these problems may result in temporary or permanent injury to the baby. In situations such as these where the harm was avoidable, it is important that the legal rights of both baby and parent are fully safeguarded.

The facts of cases involving birth injuries to a baby can differ greatly depending on individual circumstances, but most situations can be boiled down to one of two general scenarios. Both types of cases will be discussed in this overview.

The first common case involves a doctor/obstetrician's failure to correctly assess or respond to conditions, disorders, and complications during a woman's pregnancy or delivery. For example, this type of case can include a doctor/obstetrician's failure to recognize pregnancy disorders like hypertension; improper use of medical devices such as forceps or vacuum; failure to perform a necessary caesarian section; or improper assessment of a baby's overall health in the womb. A lawsuit arising from these types of situations will usually include a medical malpractice claim against the physicians and other medical practitioners involved, and in some cases a claim against the hospital where the treatment or delivery took place.

The second typical fact situation occurs when, during pregnancy a woman has taken a prescription drug, under the guidance and supervision of a doctor or pharmacist. In such a situation, you may also have a right to legal compensation from the drug manufacturer or pharmaceutical company, and from the pharmacist who assisted you with your prescription.

Remember that not all birth injuries will give rise to a successful legal claim. Complications may occur during delivery that, despite an obstetrician's use of reasonable and competent skill, resulted in unavoidable birth injuries.

Estimates are that 7% of all babies are born with a birth defect or irregularity, from very minor to severe.

Birth defects can be caused by a number of factors, including heredity and environment (such as a mother's prescribed or illegal drug use). A chemical or agent that causes birth defects in a child is called a "teratogen." A number of drugs have been found to be teratogens, and many of these were initially meant to aid a woman's pregnancy. These teratogens include: Delalutin, a drug administered to pregnant women for the prevention of miscarriages; Bendectin, a medication given to pregnant women, to fight nausea; and Ortho-Gyno, a spermicide.

It is important to remember that the causes of many birth defects are unknown, and in other cases a birth defect can be caused by the mother's own actions during pregnancy, such as alcohol or drug consumption. In these instances your rights to a legal recovery for birth injury may be non-existent or extremely limited.

Generally, to find a medical professional legally at fault, it must be shown that his or her conduct fell below a generally accepted standard of medical care. To establish the standard that will be applied, your attorney will most likely consult with and present the testimony of another medical expert, who is qualified in the same area of medicine as the defendant. This expert will indicate what standard or level of care is commonly met by those recognized in the profession as being competent and qualified to practice. Your attorney will present expert testimony not only as to the applicable standard of care, but also testimony establishing that the defendant failed to meet this standard in your case.