How Medical Malpractice Occurs During Birth
All California health care providers–including OB-GYNs, internists, nurses, and midwives–have a duty to care for their patients according to the accepted standards for their profession. When a deviation from those standards causes a birth injury, that is considered professional negligence or malpractice. Some of the more common examples of this include:
- Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy: Also known as “Erb’s Palsy,” this injury typically occurs when a newborn’s neck is stretched to the side during delivery, causing a tear in the nerves that provide movement and feeling to the shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers. In severe cases, Erb’s Palsy causes permanent nerve damage.
- Cerebral Palsy: When medical staff fail to properly manage the umbilical cord and placenta during delivery, a rupture may lead the newborn to develop cerebral palsy, a condition that can permanently reduce the child’s motor functions.
- Forceps Injuries: The use of forceps during delivery introduces a number of potentially serious injury risks, including bruising to the newborn’s scalp and facial paralysis.
- Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE): Medical errors during birth can cut off the supply of blood or oxygen to the newborn’s brain, leading to a form of permanent brain damage known as HIE.
In addition to the potential for harm to newborns due to professional negligence, the mother can also suffer serious injuries, such as vaginal tearing, a ruptured uterus, and uncontrolled postpartum bleeding. Such conditions can be fatal if not immediately treated by competent professional staff.
Let Our Stockton Birth Injury Lawyers Help
It is often not immediately obvious if a birth injury was the result of medical malpractice. That is why it is critical to work with an experienced Stockton birth injury lawyer who has the experience and resources to conduct a proper investigation into what happened. At Venardi Zurada LLP, we work with qualified medical experts who can review the records of your child’s birth to help determine who, if anyone, may be legally at-fault for their injuries.
Medical negligence is never excusable, especially when it affects a newborn child and their parents. So if you need to speak with a skilled Stockton birth injury attorney, call Venardi Zurada LLP today at (833) 893-6763 to schedule a free confidential consultation.
