Child Birth Injury in Boise, ID

The State of Idaho has shown concern over childbirth-related deaths recently. The governor even signed a bill to examine the recent rise of these horrible incidents.

While efforts continue to improve services, injuries or worse suffered by a family in the Boise area demand attention. Moreover, you deserve redress for the financial, emotional, and physical suffering. We hope this guide provides the guidance and direction you need to get started.

What Causes a Childbirth Injury?

Was a medical professional you trusted negligent and did the damage occur as a result? If so, affected parents have a chance of bringing a medical malpractice lawsuit for compensation in Boise, ID.

During any labor and delivery process, timing and action are two crucial elements. Sometimes an infant suffers a birth injury. It can mean that a medical practitioner either made a poor judgment call or failed to act appropriately. If the Boise 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 are not reached.

Parents in Boise will also want to know that childbirth injuries like the following can justify notable settlements. The Idaho Press once reported a $5 million deal with midwives accused of medical malpractice.

Beyond this, there are quite a few scenarios that may cause a child to sustain an injury while being born in Boise. 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. Boise medical professionals may intervene and use a vacuum to assist. This 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.

In this case, attending medical professionals may use forceps to help move a baby 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.

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 Boise, Idaho 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 the infant’s 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.

Intracranial Hemorrhage

The Merck Manual states that around 25% of premature births lead to an intracranial hemorrhage. The signs that it has occurred and requires attention by a doctor in Boise are:

• Lethargy
• Seizures
• Apnea
• An unusual neurological exam

These symptoms can mean there is bleeding inside the infant’s skull. The resulting pressure on the brain can cause irreparable damage or even death.

Cerebral Palsy

More children live with cerebral palsy than any other motor disability. Posture and movement issues can mean an ongoing need for physical therapy and adaptive equipment.

Cerebral palsy caused by medical negligence in Boise can be burdensome to prove. Primarily, disputes involve whether damage happened during birth or not. While it is rare, a lack of oxygen to the brain can be a significant factor.

Nerve Injuries

Injuries to nerves during childbirth can affect both the infant and the mother in Boise. For the latter, a mistake made with anesthesia may have a role in causing an issue. Babies that experience too much twisting or the misuse of medical tools can also present symptoms. In either case, the related afflictions can include:

• Muscle weakness
• Numbness or tingling
• Impairment of motor skills
• Bladder or bowel movement problems

What Are Some Other Possible Causes of Childbirth Injury In Boise?

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 Boise, 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.

The Idaho Capital Sun reports the bills to have a baby in Boise are unbelievably high. You don’t have to allow your family to pay a premium for an obstetrician’s mistakes.

Work With an Experienced Local Child Birth Injury Lawyer In Boise, Idaho 

If you suspect childbirth injury medical malpractice in Boise, you should take action. Find a local childbirth injury lawyer to navigate the often difficult waters of birth injury lawsuits. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Idaho 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!