Malpractice During Childbirth Can Be Serious

We live in an age of modern, advanced medicine, and that means that we tend to assume that childbirth is a safe procedure. The process of childbirth, however, has not changed—it is, inherently, a dangerous process, made safer by advancements in medicine, knowledge, and technology. The fact that childbirth is safe, is largely dependent on the doctors delivering the medical care needed, to make sure that it is safe.

Malpractice Can be Devastating

When there is medical malpractice during childbirth, the results can be devastating and significant. This is largely because when a child is injured at such a young age—their immediate birth—the child has an entire lifetime to live with whatever disabilities may stem from the malpractice. A newborn will have a lifetime of necessary medical expenses, whereas a 45-year old malpractice victim will only have another 30-50 years of those same expenses.

Additionally, a newborn’s body and body systems are delicate and fragile, and unable to withstand medical errors that our bodies may be able to withstand.

Types of Childbirth Injuries

There are a number of injuries that can happen to newborns during the process of childbirth. Some of the more common injuries include:

Head Injuries – These are common during head-first deliveries. They can also be caused by vacuum extractions during childbirth. Some injuries are minor and can heal on their own, but given how soft a baby’s scalp is, some injuries can cause serious damage to the baby’s brain.

Brachial Plexus Injury – A baby has a group of nerves around the shoulder that can be easily damaged, if there is too much pressure on the area, or if there is force exerted by pulling during the child birthing process.

Lack of Oxygen – ischemic hypoxia can occur when there is a lack of oxygen or blood to the baby’s brain during birth. Like any case where the brain is deprived of these vital elements, the extent of damage and disability depends on how long the baby is deprived of oxygen.

Fractures – bone fractures can be common during the birthing process, given how fragile a baby’s body is. Often, bones of the arm and shoulder are most susceptible. Sometimes, the fractures can lead to serious, long term disabilities, but other times, they may heal on their own.

Was there Malpractice?

Answering whether your baby’s injury is a result of malpractice is no easy task. On one hand, childbirth is still a dangerous and delicate procedure, and things can go wrong, even when there is no malpractice. On the other hand, in the absence of complications, there is no reason why a child should suffer serious injury during childbirth.

Your attorney can look at your medical records, and see if something was done improperly during the birthing process. Your attorney also can hire your own medical expert, to render an expert opinion on whether or not there were erodes during your child’s birth.

Our Rhode Island personal injury lawyers at Robert E. Craven & Associates are here to answer your questions. Call 401-453-2700 today.

Source:

hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/brachial-plexus-injuries#:~:text=The%20brachial%20plexus%20is%20a,in%20the%20arm%20and%20hand