C-Section Mistakes Lead To Birth Injuries
A Cesarean delivery – or C-section – is required when a vaginal birth is not possible. It’s a common procedure, accounting for around 20% of all births in the United States, but carries with it all the risks associated with any invasive surgery. C section mistakes can inflict injuries on both mother and child, and doctors and other medical staff may be responsible for those injuries. It’s important to recognize when C section birth injuries are the fault of healthcare providers, as they may ultimately be held liable in a medical malpractice or negligence lawsuit.
There are multiple reasons why medical staff may opt for a C-section over a vaginal birth.
Health care providers might recommend a C-section if:
- Labor is not progressing. Stalled labor is common, and occurs if the cervix is not opening widely enough for the baby’s head.
- The baby is not getting enough oxygen, or there are changes in the heartbeat.
- The baby is in an abnormal position, such as breech or transverse.
- There are twins, triplets or other multiples.
- The placenta becomes detached from the uterus before labor, or if the placenta is covering the cervix.
- The umbilical cord slips beneath the baby, or becomes dangerously compressed during contractions.
- The baby has developmental health concerns
- The mother has health problems, such as high blood pressure or heart disease
Sometimes women request a C-section to avoid the potential complications associated with a vaginal birth. In any case, if medical staff fail to recognize the signs above, they may make the mistake of not performing a necessary C-section, and thus be liable for any injuries that are caused. Once the decision has been made to go ahead with the surgery, there are a number of potential C section mistakes that can be made by nurses, doctors, midwives and other medical staff, some of which may result in life-long consequences for mother and child.
C-Section birth injuries
The most devastating of all C section mistakes is delaying the surgery. The complications outlined above can cause various injuries, and even death. Common consequences of C-section mistakes and delays are:
- Brain damage
- Cerebral Palsy
- Erb’s Palsy
- Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy
- Bone fracture
- Stillbirth
New York medical malpractice attorney
C section mistakes and delays, and other errors made in the delivery room, can have lifelong consequences. It’s important to understand the difference between outright medical negligence, and unavoidable tragedy.
Millions of dollars are paid out every year to people who have been injured as a result of negligence. If a provable, preventable medical mistake has led to suffering, the victim may be entitled to compensation.
If you believe your child has suffered C section birth injuries as a result of doctor negligence, a New York medical malpractice attorney can help you fight for justice. The Sanders Firm has decades of experience advocating for victims of C section mistakes and other negligent acts causing birth injuries.
To speak to a lawyer, contact the Sanders Firm at 1-800-FAIR-PLAY. We offer complimentary legal consultation, with no fees to pay unless compensation is won on your behalf. Resources
- NYU Langone Medical Center, http://www.med.nyu.edu/content?ChunkIID=230598
