Medical Malpractice and Birth Injuries

Children affected by birth defects or birth injuries may be entitled to lifetime care through a medical malpractice lawsuit. If you have been affected by a medical error, contact a birth injury attorney to explore your compensation options.

Apart from the prevalence of medical mistakes in the obstetric field, there are a number of other factors which contribute to the risk of birth injuries in newborns. Among these risk factors are the size of the baby, the size and shape of mother's pelvis, the baby's position, and difficult labor or childbirth. Regardless of these risk factors, pregnant women put their trust in the expertise of healthcare providers, depending on them to adequately evaluate their child and recognize and prevent any potential complications. It is the responsibility of doctors, hospital staff members and Ob/Gyns to use their training and knowledge to provide the highest level of care possible for mother and child. Unfortunately, some medical professionals are poorly trained, negligent, inexperienced, or distracted on the job, which leads to inadequate medical care and an increased risk of birth injuries among children. If your child has suffered from a serious injury or birth defect, which you believe to be the result of medical negligence, contact a birth injury attorney for legal help.

Types of Medical Malpractice

Because there are so many different factors contributing to the successful birth of a child, there are countless areas in which negligence on the part of the doctor can result in tragedy. Some common examples of medical mistakes in the field of obstetrics include:

• Failure to perform a timely C-section
• Failure to evaluate the risks of a narrow birth canal
• Failure to monitor baby and fetal distress
• Excessive pressure using forceps
• Failure to treat baby properly after birth
• Improper use of vacuum extractor
• Improper prenatal care

Each of these medical errors plays its own part in increasing a child's risk of suffering from birth injuries, and any one of them can result in serious harm to a baby before, during, or after birth. Unfortunately, even the most simple mistakes can have catastrophic outcomes when dealing with the delicate and often complex process of childbirth.

Birth Injuries Resulting from Medical Malpractice

The wide variety of birth defects and birth injuries potentially associated with medical malpractice is staggering. Among the most severe complications possibly resulting from medical errors are:

• Cerebral palsy
• Heart defects
• Neural tube birth defects
• Hypoplastic left heart syndrome
• Diaphragmatic hernia
• Brachial plexus palsy

Unfortunately, these are only a few of the possible birth defects and birth injuries sustained by children at the hands of allegedly negligent medical professionals. As doctors continue to take liberties with their patients and provide a sub-standard level of care, the prevalence of birth defects and birth injuries is on the rise.

Birth Injury Attorneys for Medical Malpractice Lawsuits

Birth defects and birth injuries can be caused and/or exacerbated by medical errors made by doctors, Ob/Gyns and hospital staff. The sad truth is, a large number of birth injuries and birth defects could have been prevented had the healthcare provider responsible for the care of mother and child provided an adequate level of attention and care. If you or a loved one has suffered from a birth defect or birth injury, and you believe medical malpractice to be the cause, contact a qualified birth injury attorney for legal help. You may have grounds to file a medical malpractice lawsuit against the allegedly negligent doctor in order to pursue financial compensation for your injuries, medical bills, and pain and suffering. You are not at fault for any injuries sustained by your child before, during or after birth. With the help of an experienced birth injury lawyer, you can protect your legal rights and possibly prevent similar birth injuries from occurring in the future.