Child Birth Injury in Corpus Christi, TX

Has your family in Corpus Christi fallen victim to systemic childbirth problems in Texas?

As reported by NPR, the state has a shocking history of issues delivering infants. Texas has even made headlines because it has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed countries.

The consequence of these troubles may be temporary or congenital. In either case, you should not have to carry the burden of malpractice alone. You can use our guide and resources to start seeking civil justice immediately.

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 Corpus Christi, TX.

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 Corpus Christi 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.

Any childbirth injury can lead to thousands or millions of dollars in treatment. Accordingly, the Texas Court of Appeals has a history of affirming sizable verdicts by juries in civil trials.

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

• Shoulder Dystocia

American Family Physician asserts that shoulder dystocia can be a terrifying emergency. Even worse, there is little a doctor in Corpus Christi can do to predict it.

A properly-timed Cesarean delivery can keep this condition from happening. But, vaginal delivery with complications makes it more likely.

• Newborn Jaundice

Jaundice itself is not unusual for newborns in Corpus Christi. As a matter of fact, most babies will process the bilirubin that causes it naturally. Signs of more significant complications include:

• Further yellowing of the skin

• Lack of weight gain and poor appetite

• Yellow coloring in the whites of the eye

If these symptoms persist for too long, it can lead to kernicterus. The consequence of this condition can lead to permanent brain damage.

• Cerebral Palsy

Doctors once believed that asphyxiation during childbirth was a contributor to cerebral palsy. However, more recent research suggests a more complicated pathology. The complications of cerebral palsy during or after birth can include:

• Stroke

• Brain infection

• Head injury

• Low blood sugar

Missing the signs or malpractice by doctors in Corpus Christi can lead to the development of cerebral palsy. Parents will want to provide as much detail to their lawyer as possible to connect the legal dots.

What Are Some Other Possible Causes of Childbirth Injury in Corpus Christi?

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 Corpus Christi, 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 Texas Medical Association recognizes that weighty problems persist regarding childbirth in the state. Even worse, data that could prevent injury or death have seen delays. When injuries occur among this dysfunction, speaking to an attorney can be a paramount concern for your family’s future in Corpus Christi.

Work With an Experienced Local Child Birth Injury Lawyer in Corpus Christi, Texas 

If you suspect child birth injury medical malpractice in Corpus Christi, 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 Texas 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!