Having a child is one of the most exciting times in a person’s life. Unfortunately, sometimes suffering occurs 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.
SITUATIONS THAT MAY GIVE RISE TO BIRTH INJURY AND MEDICAL MALPRACTICE
There are any number of situations that may occur during pregnancy, labor, and delivery that might result in birth injury. This can include:
- Medication errors
- Failure to diagnose and treat an infection properly
- Failure to recognize disease contagious to the child
- Failure to recognize signs of fetal distress
- Delayed response to fetal distress
- Failure to recommend a C-Section for women who may face a high-risk delivery
- Delaying a C-Section
- Improper use of forceps or vacuum during an instrument assisted delivery
- Misdiagnosis of the fetal position in utero
- Improper management of shoulder dystocia
- Failure to diagnose or treat severe jaundice
TYPES OF BIRTH INJURY TO THE CHILD
Birth injury can manifest itself in many forms. These include, but are not limited to:
- Brachial plexus injury
- Brain damage
- Cerebral palsy
- Cognitive impairment
- Developmental delays
- Erb’s palsy
- Fetal distress
- Fractured clavicle
- Premature rupture of membranes
- Prolapsed umbilical cord
- Shoulder dystocia
- Spinal cord injuries
TYPES OF INJURY TO THE MOTHER
In addition to injuries to the child, the mother may be injured due to negligence or substandard medical treatment. The following are examples of conditions a woman may suffer which could result in prenatal care malpractice, if not properly diagnosed and treated:
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Gestational diabetes
- Hypoglycemia
- Macrosomia
- Postpartum hemorrhage
- Preeclampsia
- Rh compatibility
- Severe anemia
These conditions can lead to breathing difficulties for the mother, harm to the birth canal, excessive bleeding, and even death. For the child, these conditions may lead to developmental delays; congenital malformations, fetal health conditions, anemia, brain damage, seizures, and stillbirth.
IS YOUR FAMILY SUFFERING DUE TO MEDICAL MALPRACTICE?
If your family is dealing with the results of medical malpractice during pregnancy or childbirth, contact the medical malpractice attorneys at Miller Kory Rowe LLP today. Our attorneys are sensitive to the incredibly devastating impact medical malpractice has, and understand your family is grieving and working towards healing, both as individuals and as a family unit. If you are unable to meet during business hours, we are happy to schedule an appointment at your convenience. Because we recognize birth injuries can make travel difficult, we are also happy to come to you to discuss your case. Call us today at (602) 648-4045 for a free consultation.