Child Birth Injury in Dallas, TX

Dallas just does it bigger. The cars, the lifestyle, even the Dallas Cowboys. So it goes without saying that the swell of pride you feel when you meet your child for the first time is bigger too.

However, this moment can be derailed if you, your cold, or a loved one is injured during the birthing process due to medical malpractice or negligence. If you experienced this, you may want to contact a seasoned Dallas attorney to help you press your rights against such medical misconduct.

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 Dallas, 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 Dallas 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.

Medical malpractice can occur when the medical staff is not properly trained, properly rested, or generally properly prepared to give aid and care. NBC DFW states that the parents of a newborn child were demanding to know the full details surrounding a medical episode involving a nurse that was caring for their child. A nurse at Medical City Dallas Children’s Hospital suffered a medical event, and fell while holding a newborn. The child wound up on the floor with the nurse. Compounding the problem, the hospital took hours before telling the parents what transpired.

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

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

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

Uterine Inversion

According to Up To Date, a uterine inversion occurs when the uterus collapses into the endometrial cavity. This can partially, or completely, turn the uterus inside out. The symptomology can be mild pain or minor bleeding, or a smooth protrusion from the cervix or vagina. While this is rare, it is potentially life threatening if not attended to quickly.

Perineal Laceration

Perineal lacerations, also commonly referred to as vaginal tears, generally occur during the birthing process due to the size of the child’s head. The Mayo Clinic states that there are instances during labor when a child’s head is too large for the vaginal opening. If this is the case, vaginal tearing can occur. However, there are also instances when a child has a normal head, but the vagina of the mother does not stretch easily. A situation such as this could also result in vaginal tearing.

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 Dallas, 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 March of Dimes there has been an 8% drop in the infant mortality rate in Texas over the decade from 2009 to 2019. Residents of Dallas can take slight solace in the fact that the current rate shows that there are 5.5 infant deaths per every 1,000 live births. This is below the national average.

However, if you or a loved one has been injured during childbirth, you may want to seek the counsel of an experienced Dallas attorney.

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

If you suspect child birth injury medical malpractice in Dallas, 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!