Child Birth Injury in Knik-Fairview, AK

Are the costs and stress of a botched delivery in Knik-Fairview becoming too much to handle?

In 2003, the CDC estimated lifelong injuries cost around $1 million. That amount has increased to $1.61 million as of 2023 due to inflation.

You may not feel like you have many prospects to remedy this situation. But the financial ramifications call for action. Uncover your legal options by reading this article and, when you feel ready, talk to an attorney in our network.

What Causes a Childbirth Injury?

Did you suffer due to a medical professional’s negligence recently? If so, you may have several motivations to start a medical malpractice lawsuit in Knik-Fairview, AK.

The timing and actions during labor are critical, and there are times when an infant gets injured. This harm could be due to poor judgment or failure to act appropriately. For instance, a Knik-Fairview medical provider could do something against the standard of care. This action would be the legal definition of negligence.

Proving birth injury means presenting a direct connection to the damage. But it is possible that your family will not notice the aftermath immediately. But something like a brain injury may not become apparent until a child misses developmental milestones.

We should also recognize the substantial toll childbirth can have on a mother from Knik-Fairview. The lasting effects can be hard to discuss, even without severe injuries. This reality motivated one mother to start a podcast to raise awareness and remind women they are not alone.

With this understanding, many scenarios can cause a mother or child to sustain an injury in Knik-Fairview. One of the following examples may apply to your circumstances.

Improper Vacuum Usage

A mother can have a litany of difficulties delivering a baby. Knik-Fairview medical professionals may decide to use a vacuum to assist. As it sounds, it is an instrument that can suction the baby out of the birth canal. Nurses and doctors have the responsibility of placing it appropriately. But there are times when this does not happen and causes severe injury.

Improper Use of Forceps

Forceps are another medical device employed when a mother has trouble delivering her child. For example, the baby could be in a dangerous position. In this situation, medical professionals may use them to move the baby through the birth canal.

The appropriate use of forceps will reduce oxygen deprivation. This tool can also reduce the odds of fetal distress that results in birth injuries.

Doctors and nurses must use this instrument with extreme care. Its improper use can cause severe injuries to an infant’s head. Additionally, it can cause temporary or permanent nerve damage.

Hypoxia

Hypoxia occurs when the brain does not receive enough oxygen. The most frequent cause of labor is the tangling of the umbilical cord around the baby’s neck.

Hypoxia can also happen because of an infected or damaged placenta. Generally, medical staff in Knik-Fairview, Alaska have ways to identify it in advance. They can then intervene and prevent harm from happening to the infant or the mother.

However, asphyxiation can happen when doctors or nurses do not act in time. This delay in response can cause severe physical or mental disabilities. As a result, the medical staff can carry liabilities for the damages.

Cesarean Section Delay

Emergency C-sections can become necessary when an infant is in fetal distress. This medical term refers to an infant’s heartbeat dropping due to the mother’s blood pressure. Additionally, this condition can happen in response to breathing difficulties or placental abruption.

But there are many justifications for a doctor to perform a C-section. For instance, the baby could have difficulty descending into the birth canal. Alternatively, the mother could enter labor without dilation.

In these circumstances, the doctor must decide if a C-section is appropriate. It could be the only safe option to get the baby out, but medical staff should not wait too long. If they delay this decision, the consequences can be significant.

What Are Some Other Possible Causes of Childbirth Injury in Knik-Fairview?

Some additional types of medical neglect that could harm the child or mother are:

• Not using labor-inducing drugs in a timely manner
• Misdiagnosing or missing infections, placental abruptions, umbilical cord entrapment, placenta previa, or premature rupture of the membranes
• Forgetting to complete adequate prenatal testing

Facial Nerve Palsy

Research suggests that facial nerve palsy during childbirth is unfortunately common. In many circumstances, it happens when a doctor misuses a medical instrument. While the effects can be temporary, other Knik-Fairview families may have a lifetime of complications to handle.

Fractures

International Orthopaedics reports clavicle fractures occur in .2 to 3.5% of childbirths. Cesarean delivery can be one of the causes, but the birthing position is also a factor. For instance, the infant’s arm could get trapped over their head.

Why Should You Take Action for Your Child Birth Injury?

Childbirth injuries are more common than you may think. For instance, 7 in 1,000 children born in the United States have one. Generally, premature labor is a significant factor. But there are plenty of situations where mothers or their babies in Knik-Fairview can suffer.

Parents with a child who suffered a birth injury in Knik-Fairview have a right to seek financial compensation. The most practical reason is to protect your finances. A child and their mother can have setbacks for the rest of their lives. And the costs for treatment, medications, or medical equipment can be overwhelming. Your ability to handle these challenges can depend on taking civil action.

Work With an Experienced Local Child Birth Injury Lawyer in Knik-Fairview, Alaska 

If you suspect child birth injury medical malpractice in Knik-Fairview, 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 Alaska 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!