Having a child is one of the most exciting times in a person’s life. Unfortunately, sometimes complications can arise due to medical malpractice during pregnancy, labor, or delivery.
This malpractice may occur as a result of negligence and/or substandard medical treatment by one or more persons on the team.
It can happen at any point in the process. While it is true that some birth injuries are unavoidable, even with the best care, this cannot be known without an adequate investigation.
Medical malpractice during childbirth is not just a mistake. It is a failure to provide the level of care that mothers and babies deserve. When preventable injuries happen, families have the right to demand accountability and answers.
How Medical Negligence Can Occur During Pregnancy and Delivery
Pregnancy and delivery involve medical professionals who must carefully monitor both mother and child. Doctors, nurses, midwives, and specialists are all expected to recognize signs of distress, follow hospital protocols, and act quickly when complications arise.
When they fail to do so, the consequences can be devastating. Medical malpractice can happen at any stage, during prenatal visits, labor, or delivery, and may involve:
- Medication errors or incorrect dosages
- Failure to diagnose or treat infections that threaten the baby’s health
- Ignoring diseases that can be passed from mother to child
- Failure to recognize or respond to fetal distress
- Delays in ordering or performing a C-section in high-risk pregnancies
- Improper use of delivery instruments such as forceps or vacuum extractors
- Misdiagnosis of fetal position before delivery
- Mishandling shoulder dystocia during birth
- Failure to diagnose or treat severe jaundice after birth
These errors can quickly turn a manageable complication into a life-altering injury.
Common Birth Injuries Linked to Medical Malpractice
Some birth injuries heal with time. Others cause permanent damage that changes a child’s future and a family’s life forever.
Examples of injuries caused by medical negligence include:
- Brachial plexus injury
- Brain damage or hypoxia (lack of oxygen)
- Cerebral palsy
- Cognitive impairment or developmental delays
- Erb’s palsy
- Fractured clavicle
- Fetal distress or trauma during delivery
- Spinal cord injuries
- Prolapsed umbilical cord
- Premature rupture of membranes
Each of these injuries can lead to years of medical treatment, therapy, and emotional stress. When negligence is the cause, families deserve justice and financial support to help rebuild their lives.
How Medical Malpractice Can Harm Mothers During Childbirth
Pregnancy and childbirth complications can also cause serious harm to mothers. When healthcare providers fail to diagnose, monitor, or treat dangerous conditions, the results can be life-threatening.
Negligence during prenatal care or delivery may involve:
- Ectopic pregnancy (when the embryo implants outside the uterus)
- Gestational diabetes
- Hypoglycemia
- Macrosomia (an abnormally large baby)
- Postpartum hemorrhage
- Preeclampsia or high blood pressure
- Rh incompatibility between mother and baby
- Severe anemia
If untreated, these conditions can cause excessive bleeding, birth canal injuries, organ failure, and in the worst cases, death.
The Emotional and Financial Toll of Birth Injury Malpractice
The emotional and financial toll of a birth injury can be overwhelming. Families may face months in neonatal intensive care, mounting hospital bills, and an uncertain future. Mothers may experience physical complications or post-traumatic stress, while fathers and relatives struggle to find stability.
Beyond the pain, there is often a sense of confusion and unanswered questions.
Could this have been prevented? Did the doctors act too slowly? Was something missed during prenatal visits?
These are valid concerns, and the answers matter. A medical malpractice claim is not just about money. It is about discovering the truth and making sure no other family suffers the same harm.
Arizona Statute of Limitations for Medical Malpractice
In Arizona, medical malpractice claims must be filed within two years from the date the injury occurred or was discovered. However, this timeline can be complex when a newborn is involved, since minors have extended filing rights.
Every case also requires a preliminary expert affidavit, a statement from a qualified medical professional supporting that malpractice likely occurred.
These procedural steps can be difficult to navigate without experienced legal help. Missing a deadline or filing an incomplete affidavit can jeopardize your entire case, which is why having a team familiar with Arizona’s malpractice laws is essential.
Is Your Family Suffering Due to Medical Malpractice?
If your family is living with the impact of medical malpractice during pregnancy or childbirth, you do not have to face it alone. The medical malpractice attorneys at Miller Kory Rowe understand the emotional, physical, and financial strain that follows such a devastating experience.
We know that you are not just seeking compensation, but answers, closure, and the peace of mind that accountability brings. Our team approaches every case with compassion, respect, and a commitment to uncovering the truth.
If meeting during business hours is difficult, we will schedule an appointment that works for you. And because we recognize that travel can be challenging when caring for an injured mother or child, we are always willing to come to you.
Call (602) 560-5103 today for a free consultation and let our team help your family take the first step toward healing.
How Miller Kory Rowe Helps Arizona Families
Investigating a potential malpractice case requires both medical insight and legal precision. At Miller Kory Rowe, our attorneys work closely with medical experts to review hospital records, identify errors, and determine whether negligence occurred.
FAQs about Pregnancy and Childbirth Medical Malpractice Claims
Q: Who can be held responsible for a birth injury?
Q: What compensation can families recover?
Q: Can birth injuries be prevented?
Q: How long do I have to file a malpractice claim in Arizona?
Q: Does Miller Kory Rowe charge upfront fees?
Contact Our Phoenix Medical Malpractice Attorneys today
Medical malpractice during pregnancy or childbirth can turn one of life’s most hopeful moments into a devastating experience. But you do not have to face it alone. Arizona law protects your right to seek answers, accountability, and justice when a medical professional’s negligence causes harm to you or your baby.
At Miller Kory Rowe LLP, every case is handled with compassion, care, and precision. Our attorneys draw on decades of experience in medical malpractice litigation to uncover the truth, hold negligent providers accountable, and help families begin the healing process.
If you are coping with the effects of a birth-related injury and unsure where to begin, our team will guide you through every step. We will explain your rights, manage the legal process, and stand by your side until justice is achieved.
With offices in Phoenix and Tucson, we proudly serve families throughout Arizona who have been impacted by medical negligence.
Need help understanding your options? Call (602) 560-5103 or contact us online for a free consultation. Let us help you protect your family’s future and find the justice you deserve.
