Mental retardation implies a below normal cognitive brain function, which is usually characterized as mild, moderate, or severe. In the absence of any other brain injury or complication at birth, most severe cases of mental retardation are usually the result of some genetic or developmental problem with the brain prior to delivery. However, many cases of mild to moderate mental retardation can be the result of some hypoxic injury to the brain during labor and delivery. This may also be the result of trauma from the use of a vacuum or forceps during a vaginal delivery or trauma from a difficult delivery itself, often in combination with some relative decrease in oxygen to the fetus during delivery.

Please visit our Birth Injury website for more information about mental retardation and the cases our firm has handled throughout the state of California.