Child Birth Injury in Columbus, GA

Do you feel that the suffering your family experienced during a live birth in Columbus was avoidable?

The National Library of Medicine states that new obstetrical techniques have reduced childbirth injuries recently. Regardless, there are still cases where outdated or ill-advised treatments cause profound issues.

Even worse, there are circumstances where the problems do not appear for weeks, months or even years. Accordingly, your family must act fast to receive civil redress. You can get started today by reading this article and scheduling a consultation with one of the lawyers in our network.

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 Columbus, GA.

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 Columbus 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.

In point of fact, the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer regularly reports on lawsuits for childbirth brain injuries. Juries in Muscogee County have awarded millions to help families from Columbus care for these issues.

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

  • Klumpke’s Palsy

Klumpke’s palsy is a condition often caused by a traumatic and arduous live birth in Columbus. In most cases, the injury itself is in the neck and shoulders. The resulting symptoms include:

  • Claw hand
  • Inflexible joints in the wrist
  • Muscle atrophy in the hand or forearm

A large birth weight and vaginal delivery are regular contributors to Klumpke’s palsy. These factors can lead to a delivery where the arm is above the infant’s head when it emerges from the birth canal.

  • Skull Fractures

The long-term effects of a skull fracture during a live birth in Columbus can vary. In the best-case scenario, they will heal quickly without further medical intervention. Unfortunately, it may cause the following:

  • Paralysis
  • Brain damage
  • Developmental milestone delays

Clinical researchers find that skull fractures due to excessive force during delivery are rare. Accordingly, if you suspect that was the cause, you will want to schedule an examination quickly.

  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH)

A subarachnoid hemorrhage is a relatively common occurrence during live births. A significant contributor is the fragile condition of an infant’s skull. When there are problems emerging from the birth canal, it can easily cause bleeding in the areas around the brain. Symptoms parents in Columbus may want to be aware of are:

  • Slow heart rate
  • Seizures
  • Temporary lapses in breathing

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

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 Columbus, 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.

Childbirth injuries and mortality rates have reached new heights in recent years. In fact, the Georgia Department of Public Health reports 16.9 deaths for every 100,000 live births. As a result, the state ranks second–highest in the U.S. for this tragic occurrence. If your family in Columbus has suffered a tragedy because of malpractice, speaking to an attorney is the first step toward justice.

Work With an Experienced Local Child Birth Injury Lawyer in Columbus, Georgia 

If you suspect child birth injury medical malpractice in Columbus, 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 Georgia 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!

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