Child Birth Injury in Grand Rapids, MI

Many people will invest more time and energy in their children than anything else. As cliche as it may sound, children are the future.

When people learn they are going to be parents they begin to envision what their lives will be like with their children; playing catch, going to recitals, walking their child down the aisle. What they never imagine is having to cope with an injury the child received due to negligent treatment or medical malpractice.  If your child has sustained injuries during childbirth, you may want to contact and engage the services of an experienced Grand Rapids attorney.

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 Grand Rapids, MI.

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 Grand Rapids 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.

Because infant mortality is a signpost for the health of any community, the First Steps Kent County formed the Fetal Infant Mortality Review. This community organization has 2 stated goals:

• To adequately describe the social, educational, health, and economic factors that contribute to infant mortality

• Design and implement community-based action plans to respond to those factors.

Overall, their goal is to lower the infant mortality rate for Grand Rapids.

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

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

Pelvic Organ Prolapse

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services seeks to educate women about the causes and effects of pelvic organ prolapse. This condition can occur when the muscles and tissues that support the pelvic organs become loose after the strain of labor. With the support system loosened, the organs can slip down and create a bulge in the vagina. This is not life threatening, but can be quite painful.

Birth Asphyxia

UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital states that birth asphyxia occurs when a child does not receive enough oxygen before, during, or after the birthing process. Causes of asphyxiation can include, but are not limited to:

• Mother’s low blood pressure

• Inadequate relaxation of the uterus during labor

• Early separation of the placenta

• Poor placenta function

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 Grand Rapids, 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 Michigan Department of Health and Human Services records mortality statistics for the state to improve in the treatment of children and mothers. According to the most recent data, there are over 6 infant deaths for every 1,000 born in the state.

A parent who has endured their child being injured can become consumed with anger. However, it may be in your best interest to focus that anger in getting restitution for what has happened. And the best way to do that may be to engage the services of an experienced attorney in Grand Rapids.

Work With an Experienced Local Child Birth Injury Lawyer in Grand Rapids, Michigan 

If you suspect child birth injury medical malpractice in Grand Rapids, 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 Michigan 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!