Child Birth Injury in Phoenix, AZ

Have you been through a traumatic birth that harmed the child and/or mother?

Arizona has seen a notable upsurge in births recently. In fact, there were 77,735 children born in the state in 2021. A growth in these numbers can also mean a statistical increase in childbirth injuries.

However, your case is much more than a statistic. You have the right to pursue damages to protect your financial future. If you believe you may need help, give yourself a few minutes today to review your case.

What Causes a Childbirth Injury?

While enduring delivery, was a medical professional negligent towards you and did damage occur as a result? If so, affected parents have a chance of bringing a medical malpractice lawsuit for compensation in Arizona.

During the labor and delivery process, timing and action are two crucial elements. Sometimes an infant suffers a birth injury. This can mean that a medical practitioner either made a poor judgment call or failed to act appropriately. However, if the Arizona medical provider’s actions go against the standard of care, then it may fit the legal definition of negligence.

To prove birth injury, negligence must have a direct connection to the damage. One of the most unfortunate elements of childbirth injury is not discovering the effects right away. Some injuries are discernible immediately after they happen. However, things that affect the brain may not be evident until developmental milestones come, and are not reached.

Other forces that stress medical staff can lead to these unfortunate events. For example, The Associated Press noted pregnancy-related deaths in Arizona increased during the pandemic.

Even further, there are quite a few scenarios that may cause a child to sustain an injury while being born in Arizona. One of the following examples may apply to your circumstances.

• Improper Vacuum Usage

Sometimes a mother has difficulties delivering a baby through the birth canal. Arizona medical professionals may intervene and use a vacuum to assist. The machine is a standard instrument that can help suction the baby down and out of the birth canal. The vacuum attaches to the baby’s head or shoulders. Nurses and doctors are responsible for placing it appropriately. However, sometimes the vacuum is not attached where it should be. This error can cause severe injury to the mother and the infant during childbirth.

• Improper Use of Forceps

There are other options when a mother is having difficulty delivering her child. For example, the baby can be improperly positioned in the womb. Attending medical professionals may use forceps to help move it through the birthing canal. Appropriate use of forceps reduces oxygen deprivation. This tool also reduces the chances of fetal distress that can result in birth injuries.

Still, the medical professionals that are birthing a child must use extreme care. The improper use of forceps can cause severe injuries to the head. Additionally, this device can also cause nerve damage in the neck or the chest.

• Hypoxia

Hypoxia is a medical condition that occurs when the brain of a baby is not receiving enough oxygen. The most common cause before and during delivery is the umbilical cord becoming tangled around the baby’s neck.

This condition often occurs due to a damaged or infected placenta. Thankfully, most Arizona medical professionals can identify hypoxia well in advance. As a result, they can intercede to eliminate the chances of the infant or the mother facing harm.

However, if the professional medical staff does not take action quickly enough, asphyxiation may occur. This can result in causing a child to develop severe physical or mental disabilities. Accordingly, medical staff may be liable for any damages that happened.

• Cesarean Section Delay

An emergency C-section may be necessary due to an infant fetal distress. This medical event occurs when the heartbeat of the infant drops because of the mother’s blood pressure. In addition, this condition can happen when there is a placental abruption or other breathing difficulties.

In truth, there are several reasons why a doctor may perform a C-section. For example, the baby could be in the wrong position or fail to descend into the birth canal. Another qualifying situation is when the mother has labored without dilation.

In these and other circumstances, the doctor may determine whether this procedure needs to happen. It may be the only way to safely birth the baby without further damage. But, the medical staff may wait too long to perform a cesarean. If so, the consequences for mother and child could be quite grave.

• Shoulder Dystocia

Shoulder dystocia can happen to any woman during childbirth. This condition occurs when one or both of the baby’s shoulders become stuck in the pelvis. Risk factors that can increase its likelihood include:

• Being pregnant with twins, triplets, etc.

• Diabetes or gestational diabetes

• Being overweight
• Macrosomia

The March of Dimes reports that shoulder dystocia happens in 0.2% to 3% of childbirths. Unfortunately, it is also not unusual for medical professionals in Arizona to have trouble predicting it.

• Cerebral Palsy

The CDC defines cerebral palsy as damage or abnormal brain development that affects muscle function. While it can materialize later, this condition can happen before or during childbirth.

Clinical research has not found a definitive cause. However, there are several circumstances that can make it more likely to transpire. Premature birth, infections, and ARTs are among the factors identified to date.

• Facial Nerve Palsy

Facial nerve palsy is a lack of voluntary facial movements that results from pressure on nerves. This condition can materialize before or during childbirth. A few of the factors that can make this transpire are:

• Epidural anesthesia

• Substantial baby size

• Extended labor or pregnancy

• Medication used to cause more intense contractions

What Are Some Other Possible Causes of Childbirth Injury in Arizona?

Other types of medical neglect that could result in injuries to the child or the birth mother include:

• Failing to perform sufficient prenatal testing
• Not using labor-inducing drugs timely
• Failing to diagnose or treat infections, umbilical cord entrapment, placental abruption, premature rupture of the membranes or placenta previa
• Not addressing changes in the baby’s condition

Why Should You Take Action for Your Child Birth Injury?

It is essential that any parent whose child has been diagnosed with a birth injury in Arizona, take action to seek financial compensation. The most practical reason to pursue a childbirth injury lawsuit is to protect your financial future. A child and their mother may have to deal with a lifetime of setbacks and disabilities. The costs for treatment, medical equipment, and medications can overwhelm your budget quickly. As well, the trajectory of your life or your child’s can depend on pursuing civil action.

According to the Arizona Mirror, births in the state increased for the first time in seven years in 2022. With this trend in mind, it is worth looking at data from the Arizona Department of Health Services. In recent years, state officials have found that 80.6% of pregnancy-related deaths were preventable. If tragedy has struck your family, there is a statistical chance you have a legal justification for a lawsuit.

Work With an Experienced Local Child Birth Injury Lawyer in Arizona

If you expect birth injury medical malpractice in Arizona, you should take action. Cases can vary sharply depending on the state in which the injury occurs. Find a local child birth injury lawyer to navigate the often difficult waters of birth injury lawsuits. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Arizona state lines.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!