Child Birth Injury in Eugene, OR

NPR reports that preventable childbirth complications are on the rise in America. As a result, 135 mothers go through risky deliveries each day.

Has your family in Eugene become part of this statistic and suffered injuries?

The birth of a child should be an event that brings immeasurable joy and hope. When a hospital makes mistakes that place the future, fiscal damages are only the beginning of unraveling that dream. Consider your options with us today and plan for what a local attorney can do to protect your best interests.

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 Eugene, OR.

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 Eugene 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.

There can also be severe complications with alternative birthing methods used in Eugene. In 2016, a hospital in Oregon settled a lawsuit for $13 million after a bungled water birth.

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

  • Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL)

PVL is a condition that can cause brain damage and lead to cerebral palsy. Accordingly, it deserves careful attention from families in Eugene that suffered malpractice.

Injuries that cause inflammation in the skull can be significant contributing factors. Regarding PVL, 25% to 50% of patients have chronic cognitive, behavioral, and sensory challenges.

  • Jaundice

The March of Dimes reports around 60% of infants have jaundice after birth. The majority of cases will be mild and uneventful. But, some parents in Eugene may see further complications from this typically benign condition.

One such scenario is the development of kernicterus. This medical condition can cause brain damage that may affect development milestones or motor skills. It is a preventable event, and its presence is a typical indicator of malpractice.

  • Neurological Disorders

The symptoms of neurological disorders can present immediately after a live birth in Eugene. However, the possibility remains that they can be subtle enough to avoid early detection. Regardless of when the issues come about, there is a chance they are due to negligence. Parents will want to look out for the following:

  • Swings in body temperature
  • Problems with feeding
  • Unusual movements
  • Lethargy or reduced consciousness

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

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?

Current research asserts infant mortality reflects the quality of care for children and mothers. Accordingly, parents in Eugene should know the numbers reported by the Oregon Health Authority. The most recently published rate is 4.2 per 1,000 births. While this number is below the national average, problems persist that need fixing.

It is essential that any parent whose child has been diagnosed with a birth injury in Eugene, 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.

Work With an Experienced Local Child Birth Injury Lawyer in Eugene, Oregon 

If you suspect child birth injury medical malpractice in Eugene, 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 Oregon 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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