Child Birth Injury in Houston, TX

Becoming a parent changes many residents of Houston in ways they can’t imagine. Looking into those tiny faces somehow makes the world seem smaller and bigger at the same time. However, this moment can seem crushing if your newborn child receives injury due to medical malpractice or negligence of the medical staff. If you have experienced a scenario such as this, you may want to contact an experienced Houston attorney to help fight for your family.

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 Houston, 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 Houston 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.

FOX26 Houston states that a local family has received an admission from Memorial Hermann Health System that the medical staff acted negligently when it gave the wrong medication to their infant son after a procedure. The medical staff told the parents that a horrible mistake was made and that the child would most likely die from the results of the medication. However, 4 months later, the child is still alive on a respirator, but the hospital is advocating for the parents to let the infant die.

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

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

Fractured Coccyx

It is imperative for expecting mothers to have the right information so that they can make an informed decision. The Baby Center states that a woman can be injured during childbirth if the head of her baby is too big to fit through the vaginal canal. One of the injuries this can cause is a fractured coccyx, or tailbone. This is generally the result of the excess pressure and force a mother must use to fit the head through the canal.

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 Houston, 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 University of Texas reports that the infant mortality rate for the state has declined by nearly 8% in the last decade. The current infant mortality rate stands at 5.5 infant deaths for every 1,000 live births. Still, if you have experienced injury during childbirth, you may want to seek the counsel of an experienced Houston attorney.

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

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