Child Birth Injury in Kansas City, MO

Injuries incurred during the delivery process can be devastating. Devastating to children in Kansas City, and devastating to their parents. Many of these injuries are avoidable through proper procedures, nutrition, and education. However, there are scenarios when children have been injured due to gross negligence or malpractice on part of the hospital or medical professionals. If this is the case, you may want to contact an experienced attorney in Kansas City.

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 Kansas City, MO.

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 Kansas City 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.

KY3 reports that a local Missouri family was awarded $34 million regarding a childbirth injury lawsuit against CoxHealth. Due to overdoses of pitocin during delivery, Katie Kendrick’s contractions became so severe that it deprived her infant son of oxygen in the womb. The child became hypoxic, which led to permanent brain damage.

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

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

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

• Early separation of the placenta
• Poor placenta function

Placenta Previa

St. Luke’s Hospital in St. Louis states that placenta previa is a pregnancy complication wherein the placenta plants in the lower part of the uterus. This can partially, or completely, obstruct the birth canal and cause serious repercussions during childbirth. However, with proper medical treatment this can be detected early on.

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 Kansas City, 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.

March of Dimes records that Missouri has a 6.1 infant mortality per every 1,000 live births. This is a 14% drop in mortality from 2008 to 2020. Still there is work to be done, as avoidable accidents have robbed many children and parents of the lives they could have had. If you or your child has been injured during the birthing process, your best way forward may be to contact an experienced Kansas City attorney.

Work With an Experienced Local Child Birth Injury Lawyer in Kansas City, Missouri 

If you suspect child birth injury medical malpractice in Kansas City, 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 Missouri 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!