Little Rock Skull Fractures Lawyers
Skilled legal help when your child’s skull is fractured during childbirth in Arkansas
Bringing a new baby into the world is supposed to be a joyful moment. Parents spend months getting ready, and trusting that their doctors and nurses will do everything right. Sometimes, though, things go wrong during labor and delivery, especially when the medical team fails to act with care. At Greer Injury Lawyers, PLLC, we help families in Little Rock and throughout Arkansas when their newborn suffers a skull fracture during childbirth. If your child suffered harm during delivery, we’re here to listen, investigate what happened, and fight for justice. You are not alone, and we can help.
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- What is a skull fracture in a newborn?
- What are the signs of a skull fracture in a newborn?
- How do skull fractures happen during the birthing process?
- Can skull fractures cause long-term problems?
- Was my child’s skull fracture caused by medical negligence?
- What are my legal rights after a skull fracture in Little Rock?
- What should I do if I suspect a skull fracture in my newborn?
- How can your Little Rock skull fractures lawyers help with my case?
- Why choose Greer Injury Lawyers, PLLC for my Little Rock skull fractures claim?
- Do you have a Little Rock skull fracture lawyer near me?
What is a skull fracture in a newborn?
A skull fracture is a break in one or more of the bones that make up the baby’s head. Newborn skulls are softer than adult skulls. They’re designed that way to help them pass through the birth canal. But even with this natural flexibility, too much pressure or trauma can still cause serious harm. Newborns can experience several different types of fractures:
- Linear fractures, which are a single, straight crack in the bone. These are the most common types.
- Depressed fractures, where a part of the skull is sunken in, usually caused by forceful pressure.
- Basilar fractures are a break near the base of the skull. These are rare but very serious.
- Diastatic fractures affect the sutures (the spaces between skull bones) and are more common in newborns.
Some fractures are visible immediately, while others might only show up later with symptoms like seizures, swelling, or unusual behavior.
What are the signs of a skull fracture in a newborn?
Some skull fractures are obvious right after birth. Others take time to show symptoms. As a parent, you know your baby best, so keep an eye out for signs like:
- Swelling or a soft bump on the head
- Bruising or discoloration
- Inconsolable crying or extreme fussiness
- Trouble feeding
- Seizures or twitching
- Unusual head shape or soft spots that feel off
- Poor muscle tone or trouble moving
In any of these cases, your baby may need an immediate CT scan or MRI to check for bone damage and possible bleeding inside the brain.
How do skull fractures happen during the birthing process?
The majority of the time, babies are born without injury. However, when medical providers make mistakes, they can cause skull fractures in a variety of ways.
- Doctors sometimes use forceps or vacuum extractors to help guide a baby out during delivery. But, when used with too much force, or by someone without enough skill, they can put pressure directly on the baby’s head, causing fractures or other birth injuries.
- If labor is long and difficult, the baby’s head may be squeezed too hard inside the birth canal. In some cases, this pressure can become dangerous, especially if the baby is large or in the wrong position.
- Sometimes, the safest option is a C-section. If the baby is too big, stuck, or in distress, waiting too long for a C-section can lead to rushed and unsafe deliveries where tools are misused or pressure is applied incorrectly.
- Babies that come out feet-first (breech) or sideways are at a higher risk of injury. Doctors must take extra care, and if they don’t, the baby’s skull can suffer trauma as it passes through the birth canal.
Can skull fractures cause long-term problems?
Yes, unfortunately, they can. While some skull fractures will heal on their own, others lead to more serious outcomes, especially if they cause brain damage, bleeding, or infection. Possible long-term effects include the following:
- Developmental delays (like speech, motor skills, and learning)
- Seizure disorders
- Cerebral palsy
- Cognitive or behavioral challenges
- Vision or hearing loss
- Chronic pain or headaches
The earlier these conditions are diagnosed, the better the chances of managing them. However, that doesn’t take away from the fact that they can change a child’s entire life.
Was my child’s skull fracture caused by medical negligence?
Not every birth injury is someone else’s fault. However, when doctors or nurses don’t follow the standard of care expected during delivery, and a child is harmed as a result, that may be medical malpractice. Examples of medical negligence related to skull fractures can include:
- Using excessive force with delivery tools
- Failing to monitor fetal distress
- Not recognizing the need for a C-section
- Allowing prolonged labor without intervention
- Delivering a breech baby vaginally without proper precautions
- Failing to diagnose the skull fracture after birth
- Not informing the parents or delaying treatment
At Greer Injury Lawyers, PLLC, we work with medical experts to find out what happened during your child’s birth. We review your medical records, talk to professionals, and determine whether the injury could have (and should have) been prevented.
What are my legal rights after a skull fracture in Little Rock?
Here in Arkansas, the parents can file a medical malpractice claim if their child was injured because of a medical provider’s negligence. You may be able to seek compensation for:
- Your child’s medical bills (current and future)
- Costs of therapy or special education
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
- Emotional distress for the family
The law in Arkansas generally gives you two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. However, when the injury involves a child, exceptions can apply. That’s why it’s important to talk to a lawyer as soon as you suspect something went wrong.
What should I do if I suspect a skull fracture in my newborn?
If you believe your child’s skull fracture could have been prevented, here’s what you can do:
- Get copies of your medical records
- Document your baby’s symptoms and treatments
- Follow up with pediatric neurologists or specialists
- Talk to our Little Rock birth injury attorney to explore your legal options
You don’t need to have everything figured out. We’re here to guide you through the process.
How can your Little Rock skull fracture lawyers help with my case?
At Greer Injury Lawyers, PLLC, we focus on birth injury cases because we believe Arkansas families deserve answers and accountability. When you contact us, we can:
- Listen to your story in a free, private consultation
- Review your medical records and look for signs of negligence
- Bring in medical experts to help build your case
- Fight for compensation in or out of court
- Support you every step of the way
We take all birth injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you never pay out of pocket. We only get paid if we win for you.
Why choose Greer Injury Lawyers, PLLC for my Little Rock skull fracture claim?
We’re a Little Rock-based law firm that takes pride in helping local families. We understand the laws, the courts, and the challenges of proving medical negligence. But more importantly, we understand what you’re going through. Our clients choose us because:
- We treat your family with compassion and respect
- We’re honest, responsive, and always available to talk
- We fight tirelessly to uncover the truth
- We have access to top medical experts and investigators
- We don’t back down from hospitals or insurance companies
Your child’s future matters. And so does your peace of mind.
Do you have a Little Rock skull fracture lawyer near me?
Greer Injury Lawyers, PLLC is located at 415 N McKinley Suite #250-J, Little Rock, AR 72205. Rest assured, however, that if you are critically injured and unable to come to us, we can travel to visit you in the hospital or rehabilitation center. We also offer virtual conferences and telephone consultations.
Reach out to our Little Rock skull fracture attorneys today for experienced legal help
No parent expects to need a lawyer after childbirth, but if your child was hurt by a preventable medical error, you deserve answers and support. At Greer Injury Lawyers, PLLC, we’re here to fight for what your family needs. Let us help you get justice and a better future for your child. We proudly serve families in Little Rock and throughout Arkansas. To schedule a meeting with an experienced lawyer, call our offices or fill out our contact form.
