Child Birth Injury in Jackson, MS

Do you know if you have time remaining to begin litigation for a childbirth injury in Jackson?

Parents have a strict amount of time to start a medical malpractice lawsuit. Mississippi Code limits these tort actions to two years from the alleged incident. This fact is especially problematic because symptoms may not appear for several years.

Since time is clearly of the essence, we offer this quick guide to help you assess your needs. We can also connect you with an attorney if you feel prepared to take the next steps.

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 Jackson, MS.

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 Jackson 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.

Another factor that can affect childbirth is significant disparities in healthcare. WLBT in Jackson reports several “maternity care deserts” in local counties. This lack of proper medical attention can lead to complicated births where mistakes by obstetricians are more likely.

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

• Horner Syndrome

Horner syndrome is a nerve injury caused by damage to the face, eyes, and brain. The accompanying symptoms include:

• Constricted pupil

• Drooping along the upper eyelid

• Anhidrosis, or a lack of sweating

• Sinking of an eyeball into the bone cavity

It is also known to be the result of mistakes made by a delivery team in a hospital. Researchers believe that around 42% of Horner syndrome cases are congenital. But, an equal percentage of infants in Jackson may experience it because of forceful manipulations.

• Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL)

Periventricular leukomalacia is most commonly associated with premature infants. When it happens, death occurs in the ventricles in the brain due to shifts in blood flow. Ultimately, this creates holes that represent brain damage.

The skull of a premature infant is even more fragile than those that carry to full term. Mistakes in a delivery room in Jackson can cause PVL and cause monumental developmental problems.

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

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?

Mississippi has the regrettable distinction of having the highest infant mortality rate in the country. At the time of writing, there are 8.27 deaths per 1,000 births. This number is an indicator of overall quality of care. But, the statistics are not on the side of parents from Jackson.

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

If you suspect child birth injury medical malpractice in Jackson, 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 Mississippi 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!