During pregnancy, there are conditions that may not be diagnosed or treated properly that lead to devastating consequences for mother and child. Placenta previa, where the placenta obstructs the birth canal, may prevent a normal delivery if not diagnosed; it may also cause excessive bleeding that may damage the newborn and mother and even cause death..jpg)
A lack of oxygen to the fetus during labor may have profound consequences. Vigilant monitoring of the fetal heartbeat will alert the doctor and hospital staff that there is a lack of oxygen and that a Cesarean section is necessary. Delay or failure to perform this type of delivery can injure the child and cause brain damage and cerebral palsy.
The emotional and financial cost to the child and family injured by medical negligence is catastrophic. If you are wondering if your child has been injured by medical negligence, call us for assistance. Even years later, we have been able to successfully discover and prove that negligence occurred.
Arm Paralysis In The Newborn - Erb's Palsy
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This devastating injury to the newborn is caused by stretching or tearing the nerves from the neck that go to the arm. It is usually preventable by proper monitoring of the pregnancy to make sure that the fetus is not too large (macrosomia) for normal vaginal delivery (especially in diabetic mothers). If the shoulder gets stuck in the birth canal, doctors should use standard methods to address this problem so that injury to the nerves does not occur.
If your child has a birth injury, it may be from negligent monitoring of your pregnancy or improper delivery methods.
Brain Damage In A Newborn - Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is caused by brain damage during pregnancy or birth. Disabilities of the child include muscle paralysis or spasms and an inability to coordinate muscle movements. There are usually other problems as well such as mental retardation and speech difficulties. Cerebral palsy may be caused by an injury at birth from an obstructed delivery or from instruments such as forceps or vacuum extractor. It may also be caused by lack of oxygen to the brain.
Parents are oftentimes unaware that various birth injuries could be caused by medical malpractice, which is the failure of a doctor or other hospital staff to properly perform their duties during pregnancy, labor and delivery. If you or your child have been injured because of improper medical care, you shouldn't have to keep wondering if it could have been prevented. Even years later, we have been able to successfully discover and prove that negligence occurred.
