Although most childbirths occur without adverse outcomes, there are a number of complications that can arise during pregnancy and delivery. When healthcare providers make unnecessary mistakes or provide substandard care, it can cause serious injuries to the mother, infant, or both. If your newborn was injured because of the negligence of a medical professional, you may be able to recover compensation for your losses through a medical malpractice lawsuit.
The Alabama birth injury lawyers at Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. have more than 65 years of collective experience malpractice claims involving pharmaceutical errors, surgical mistakes, birth injuries, and misdiagnoses. We have the skills, resources, and knowledge to help medical malpractice victims hold their providers accountable and fight to secure the maximum compensation possible for their injuries. Call us today at (205) 933-1500 to find out how we can help you.
Common Types of Obstetric Errors Resulting in Birth Injuries
Birth injuries can result because of malpractice during prenatal care, labor and delivery, or post-delivery/neonatal care. According to a landmark study of obstetric-related malpractice cases from 2005 to 2009, the most common claims involved delay in treatment of fetal distress, improper performance of vaginal delivery, and improper management of pregnancy. The study revealed that birth injuries are generally the result of a series of errors by a team of hospital staff rather than a single mistake by a clinician.
Some of examples of obstetric errors include, but are not limited to:
- Birth trauma due improper use of instruments during delivery (i.e. forceps and vacuum extractions)
- Delaying or failing to order a C-section when medically necessary
- Failure to diagnose or plan for maternal health problems that lead to high-risk pregnancies such as hypertension, gestational diabetes, or preeclampsia
- Medication administration or anesthesia errors
- Miscommunication between healthcare providers
- Inadequate monitoring of fetus and mother during labor and delivery leading to delay in treatment of fetal distress
- Failure to detect or properly treat infections or jaundice in the newborn period
- Surgical errors during C-section procedure
Common Birth Injuries Caused by Malpractice
There are approximately three infants born with a birth injury per hour in the United States. The most common types of preventable birth injuries that are closely associated with medical malpractice are:
- Soft tissues injuries (e.g. bruises, ulceration, perforation, fat necrosis)
- Cephalohematoma
- Facial nerve palsy
- Cerebral palsy
- Brachial plexus (commonly referred to as Erb’s palsy or Klumpke’s paralysis)
- Musculoskeletal injuries (e.g. clavicle, skull, orbital fractures)
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Intracranial hemorrhage
- Spina bifida
- Perinatal asphyxia (aka hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy)
- Cerebral ischemia
- Kernicterus
- Caput Succedaneum
- Brain injuries resulting in cognitive or developmental disabilities
- Eye injuries (e.g. hyphema, vitreous hemorrhage)
Contact a Alabama Medical Malpractice Attorney Today for Help
At Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C., our compassionate team of medical malpractice attorneys can explain your legal options and answer any questions you or your family may have during this challenging time. We have a proven track record of success in medical malpractices cases, including numerous settlements and verdicts in excess of $1 million.
If you believe your newborn was harmed due to medical error or negligence, please give us a call today at (205) 933-1500 for a free consultation with one of our skilled medical malpractice lawyers in Alabama.
