Pregnancy and childbirth are, for many, a time of magic, familial closeness, happiness, and a celebration of life and health. Unfortunately, the event can become a day marked by trauma, loss, and significant stress for many. A family in Hawaii is expected to receive a substantial settlement for the injuries sustained by their infant during birth. The staff at the hospital did not act quickly enough to perform a cesarean section, and the infant suffered permanent brain damage from lack of oxygen as a result. While the couple should have been basking in their post-partum bliss, they instead made plans to care for a child who will forever suffer the consequences of the doctor’s missteps.
Birth injuries occur before, during, or directly after childbirth. About seven birth injuries occur for every 1,000 children born and most commonly affect the head and brain. These injuries to the head and brain result in cognitive and physical disabilities that can affect the infant for its entire life. Infant mortality is the leading cause of death for children before their first birthday and accounts for 5.4 deaths per 1,000 live births. One of the leading causes of infant mortality is injuries occurring during labor. These injuries occur because of methods used by labor and delivery teams that, while sometimes effective, create serious risks and can lead to significant harm.
What Should New and Expectant Mothers Know?
The most important thing for new and expectant mothers is to know that many birth injuries are avoidable. In most cases of malpractice by labor and delivery teams, the fundamental problem is the decision-making during delivery, especially regarding timing and route of delivery. Excessive force during procedures, negligent use of vacuum extractors, and failing to recognize and respond to fetal distress signals are among the most common causes of birth injury that lead to malpractice claims.
Being prepared is one of the most important things a mother can do to prepare for the birth of her child. Receiving prenatal care can allow doctors to see the potential risks better and anticipate the likely route of delivery before labor. Expectant mothers should communicate with their delivery team and ask questions about procedures and methods prior to delivery to ensure that the mom and the provider are on the same page. Creating an action plan with her support person and delivery team to address potential “what ifs” can also help combat negligent decision-making in the delivery room.
Contact Grewal Law PLLC Today
If you, your child, or your family member suffered severe, life-altering injuries after a difficult pregnancy, labor, or delivery, you may be entitled to take legal action. Grewal Law PLLC can assist you with all aspects of your birth injury claim. We understand how difficult it can be to move forward after a devastating accident. Contact us online or by phone at (888) 211-5798 for a free consultation.
A Michigan native who graduated from both Michigan State University and Cooley Law School, Mr. Weidenfeller has limited his practice of law to representing individuals who have been permanently injured and families who have lost a loved one as the result of medical errors for more than 20 years. In that time, he has been featured on the cover of Michigan Lawyer’s Weekly and has spoken to many and varied professional groups about trial practice and effective communication.
Comments for this article are closed.