Child Birth Injury in Cleveland, OH

Certain memories last a lifetime; first dates and special events can hold a permanent place in our minds. But very few memories compare to holding your child for the first time. That overwhelming sense of pride and love can stay with you forever.

However, this scenario can quickly turn sour if you, your child, or a loved one has been injured during the birthing process due to medical malpractice or negligence. If this is the case, you may want to contact an experienced attorney in Cleveland to help you defend your loved ones and enforce your rights.

What Causes a Childbirth Injury?

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

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 Cleveland 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.

It is important to remain as up to date and educated on the labor process as possible, simply for no other reason than you may have to advocate for yourself if a medical team is operating negligently.

Verdict Search reports that a recent case in Cleveland was decided in favor of a mother who sued Metro Health Medical Center because her preterm labor was improperly managed. Her child was born with neurological damage and cerebral palsy. She was awarded over $14 million by the jury.

Beyond this, there are quite a few scenarios that may cause a child to sustain an injury while being born in Cleveland. 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. Cleveland 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 Cleveland, Ohio 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.

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

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

Failed Induction

The Mayo Clinic reports can bring a host of other problems to both mother and child. An induction is considered a failure if it does not result in a vaginal delivery within 24 hours.

Certain methods of induction, such as rupturing the surrounding membranes, can lead to infection and even a low fetal heart rate. If an induction fails, a cesarean section or C-Section, is almost always necessary.

Gestational Diabetes

According to the Center for Disease Control, gestational diabetes can occur when a mother’s body is failing to produce enough insulin during her pregnancy. This can be particularly dangerous for mother’s and their unborn children, as there are no symptoms for gestational diabetes. However, if a mother develops gestational diabetes, this can lead to a larger baby weight, and a difficult delivery.

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 Cleveland, 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.

Though it’s unpleasant to dwell on, Cleveland residents should be aware of the infant mortality rate throughout the state. According to the March of Dimes, the infant mortality rate for Ohio is 6.9 infant deaths per every 1,000 live births. While this is higher than the national average, it does represent a 10% drop in the mortality rate from 2009 to 2019.

Work With an Experienced Local Child Birth Injury Lawyer in Cleveland, Ohio 

If you suspect child birth injury medical malpractice in Cleveland, you should take action. 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 Ohio 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!