Child Birth Injury in Fort Worth, TX

Are you wondering if you should proceed with a lawsuit for a childbirth injury suffered in Fort Worth?

Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code has a tight statute of limitations for medical malpractice. Generally, there is an expectation that victims file a lawsuit within two years of the incident. While there may be some exceptions, the reality is there is not much time to act.

Don’t allow the clock to expire on seeking the compensation you deserve. Give yourself time today to take this information into consideration.

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 Fort Worth, 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 Fort Worth 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.

Fort Worth has also brought another type of injury to the mother to light during court proceedings. In Velasco v. Noe, a doctor’s failure to complete a requested tubal ligation after a Cesarean ignited litigation. The Texas Court of Appeals upheld a decision in favor of the local woman who suffered in this case.

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

• Newborn Jaundice

Jaundice in a newborn in Fort Worth is a relatively frequent occurrence that is easy to remedy. According to Healthline, most of these cases will resolve in two to three weeks.

Regardless, these facts do not mean that jaundice does not require attention. In fact, its commonality can cause complacency among the delivery team. As a result, the condition can worsen and become a neurological disorder called kernicterus.

• Spinal Cord Injuries

Any spinal cord injury to an infant in Fort Worth can be life-changing or life-threatening. The medical community divides them into two categories: complete or incomplete injury. The former means there is no movement below the trauma. As for the latter, the child should still have some control.

The necessary follow-up treatments can range from taking medications to time in the ICU. Rehab and specialized equipment could also be a need for the rest of your child’s life.

• Head Injuries

Medical research identifies head injuries as the most common type of childbirth injury. Its frequency tends to result from the fragile nature of an infant’s skull. The trauma of emerging from the birth canal in a hospital in Fort Worth can easily cause damage.

Despite its frequency, there are many instances where medical negligence can contribute. For example, an obstetrician could use too much force or fail to use the appropriate birth method.

What Are Some Other Possible Causes of Childbirth Injury in Fort Worth?

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?

Moreover, the State of Texas recognizes that it can improve maternal and infant mortality rates. Increasing access, implementing programs, and enhancing service coordination are in the works. Regardless of these efforts, families can need personalized legal assistance.

It is essential that any parent whose child has been diagnosed with a birth injury in Fort Worth, 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 Fort Worth, Texas 

If you suspect child birth injury medical malpractice in Fort Worth, 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!