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Birth Delivery Errors

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Birth is a major medical event. When parents-to-be envision the birth of their child, it is likely that they imagine a scene in which the delivery goes smoothly and mom and dad are handed a healthy boy or girl. While most deliveries go relatively smoothly, there are often occasions when complications arise, delivery errors are made, and the result is injury or, in some cases, death. While not all birth delivery errors result in fatalities, many injuries may result in deformities and brain abnormalities in the child. This can lead to a lifelong need for specialized care, including cognitive, behavioral, and physical therapies.

The news that a newborn baby is not completely healthy is devastating to most parents. Many parents may feel guilty about the problem, feeling as though it is somehow their fault that their child was injured. While these feelings may be natural, it is important to realize that birth injuries can be sustained during birth and no one is at fault. In addition, there may be instances, regardless of precautions that doctors and hospitals make to avoid this, that a doctor or nurse may make an error or mistake that results in the injury of an infant.

There are a number of different ways in which birth injuries may occur. One common birth injury that can be the result of a delivery error is a lack of oxygen to the baby's brain. This can occur because of several factors. Complications with the pregnancy and birth can cause the flow of oxygen to the child to be cut off. Often this is preventable. However, if the signs are there that the baby is losing oxygen, and the doctor does not perform a caesarean section or start delivery early, this could be considered a birth delivery error.

Another common birth delivery error is the excessive use of traction. This can be done when the child appears stuck in the birth canal. Forceps, vacuums, and even the doctor him or herself can be used to try to help the baby out of the birth canal. If too much force is used, the baby's delicate head could be damaged, as well as the nerves in the child's neck and shoulders. In addition, birth delivery errors can be associated with vacuum extraction. Instances of this may error may occur if the vacuum is misplaced on the skull or is used too long (more than 20 minutes) injury, resulting in injury. Also, if a vacuum is used when a fetus is high in the pelvis or the mother is not pushing, it can be considered a birth delivery error, as it is recommended that the vacuum not be utilized in these situations.

Infants are fragile and must be treated with the utmost care by doctors, nurses, and technicians. Unfortunately, there are instances in which those handling new infants may drop them, causing significant harm. Birth delivery errors such as this, while relatively uncommon, do happen.

While some injuries an infant sustains during the birthing process are not the fault of anyone, and will typically heal in time, there are some injuries that are the result of delivery errors and medical negligence or malpractice. When an infant is injured because of a delivery error and the damage sustained will have long-term effects, the news can be devastating and emotionally costly to families. In addition, the fact that many injuries may lead to lifelong disabilities that will require constant medical care or regular therapy means that such injuries and medical care associated with them can be very costly financially.

If your child was injured during delivery as the result of an error or mistake made by a doctor, nurse, or other member of the hospital staff, you may be able to make a medical malpractice claim. It is highly recommended that you seek the advice and assistance of an attorney, who will review medical records and the details of the delivery to determine whether or not you have a viable claim. In order to make a medical negligence claim, a lawyer must prove that there was a breach in the standard of care, causation, injury, and damages.

An attorney well-versed in medical malpractice law in your state will help you through the legal process and aide you in seeking compensation and justice.