The birth of a child is a miraculous event that should be a special memory and a joyous occasion for a family. Unfortunately, all too often, something goes terribly wrong. Mother, child, or both end up with injuries due to medical negligence at birth that forever alters their quality of life, or even ends in the loss of a life. Many times, these horrible occasions are due to negligence on the part of the hospital or doctor with whom you had placed your trust.
According to the CDC, between 2000 and 2009, emergencies during birth deliveries increased by 75 percent. Complications after delivery doubled and maternal death in the U.S. is among the highest compared to other developed nations. This is alarming, especially knowing that many of these cases were due to negligence on the part of the medical staff or doctor either during pregnancy or delivery, or soon after birth.
These types of injuries are referred to as “birth injuries”, and can cause broken bones, nerve injury, brain damage, or even death. Some of the most common injuries that occur include the following:
Common medical errors that can lead to these debilitating injuries include failure to ensure that enough oxygen is supplied to the baby’s brain, the improper use of forceps during delivery, improper use of vacuum extraction, failure to realize the size of the baby may be too large for the mother’s birth canal, failure to perform a C-section in a timely manner, or failure to treat an infection in mother, baby, or both.
Equally alarming is the increase in injuries and deaths among mothers giving birth in the United States. The rates of severe complications where women barely escape death have doubled in the last decade. The Joint Commission has warned hospitals about maternal deaths, and some hospitals have worked to identify risks and make improvements, while others continue to be negligent.
Many times hospitals in the U.S. are on a tight schedule and doctors will intervene unnecessarily to speed up the process of child birth. This is what often leads to complications and injuries to both mother and child. The main difference between U.S. hospitals and others around the world who have fewer injuries and deaths is the use of pain-relieving drugs. It seems as though U.S. doctors intervene too often and too quickly with the natural process of child birth.
Children who have been injured face an uncertain future, and may have long-term needs that can change over time. Expenses can be very high for a birth injury, and if you are reluctant to take legal action, you could run out of time and lose the compensation you deserve. You and your child deserve the best possible quality of life without the worry of finances.
Likewise, a mother who has sustained injury during childbirth due to negligence on the part of the medical staff deserves adequate compensation for her losses. Plans may change, medical expenses can add up, and many mothers may not be able to return to work as planned.
If you suspect your health has been compromised by inappropriate medical treatment or advice, allow us to help you sort out the facts and assist you in planning for your future needs. Please contact our top-rated medical malpractice lawyers at 312-527-4500 for a Free Consultation.