Child Birth Injury in Greenville, SC

Every parent in Greenville wants the best for the child; to be healthy and happy. For many people, those first few moments of life with their newborn child are everything they hope it will be.

However, there are those in Greenville that suffer through injury during childbirth. Injury either to their child or to themselves. This is generally due to medical malpractice or negligence. If this happens to you, then you may want to seek out an experienced attorney in Greenville.

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 Greenville, SC.

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 Greenville 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.

Greenville Online reports that a local couple has filed suit against Prisma Health Upstate for reckless and gross negligence regarding the birth of their son at Greer memorial Hospital. A nurse was supposed to give the child an injection of vitamin K, but instead gave him an injection of Methergine that was intended for the mother. The child went into respiratory distress and was flown to a nearby neonatal unit.

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

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

Infections

Most women are forced to deal with infections from time to time. But contracting infections during pregnancy can be harmful to your child.

According to the National Health Service, infections such as chicken pox, CMV, and Group B Streptococcus are incredibly dangerous for an unborn child. Animal transmitted viruses such as toxoplasmosis or Hepatitis E, are also extremely dangerous for a developing child.

Failed Induction

The Mayo Clinic reports can bring a host of other problems to both mother and child. An induction is considered a failure if it does not result in a vaginal delivery within 24 hours. Certain methods of induction, such as rupturing the surrounding membranes, can lead to infection and even a low fetal heart rate. If an induction fails, a cesarean section or C-Section, is almost always necessary.

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 Greenville, 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 South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, there has been a 7% drop in infant mortality from 2019 to 2020. The infant mortality rate currently stands at 6.5 infant deaths per every 1,000 live births. However, this is still above the national average, which is 5.58.

If you, your child, or your loved one has been injured during the childbirth process, you may want to engage the services of an experienced Greenville attorney.

Work With an Experienced Local Child Birth Injury Lawyer in Greenville, South Carolina 

If you suspect child birth injury medical malpractice in Greenville, 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 South Carolina 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!