Child Birth Injury in Oklahoma City, OK

There are many moments that can be incredibly stressful; first dates, moving to a new city, unsure if the hero is gonna survive until the end of the movie. Still, there are few things in life that can match the stress and anxiety of becoming a new parent. Adding to this is the fact that complications could occur during the birthing process, resulting in injury to the child, the mother, or both.

If you have experienced complications during birth that have resulted in injury, you may want to seek the counsel of an experienced attorney in Oklahoma City. He or she can help you fight to enforce your rights, and seek restitution if necessary.

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 Oklahoma City, OK.

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 Oklahoma 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.

Oklahoma has an incredibly high infant mortality rate. Partially, due to this phenomena, Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City has launched a new project aimed at improving both care and communication for mothers and their infants. Fox 25 Oklahoma reports that this new initiative, called Teambirth, aims to eliminate what many studies cite as the main reason for 90% of injuries during and after the birthing process; miscommunication.

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

Fractures

Pregnancy Birth Baby lists fractures as one of the more common birthing injuries for a child. However, this can still be quite dangerous and provide complications to a child’s life. These fractures generally occur at the clavicle, and are the result of complications in getting the baby through the birth canal; either due to a breech birth, or a shoulder getting stuck.

Bruising

Bruising can be quite common during the childbirth process, for both mother and child. However, you should keep an eye on any bruising, as it may be symptomatic of a deeper disorder. Baby Centre attests that mothers can receive bruising from the head of the baby passing through the birth canal, but can also receive bruising if forceps or a vacuum are used. In addition, if an episiotomy is required, the stitches can leave considerable bruising for the mother.

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 Oklahoma 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.

Oklahoma City residents should be aware that the state’s infant mortality rate is well above the national average. According to the March of Dimes, Oklahoma has an infant mortality rate of 7.0 infant deaths for every 1,000 live births. If your child has been injured due to negligence or malpractice you may want to reach out to an experienced Oklahoma City attorney to help fight for them.

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

If you suspect child birth injury medical malpractice in Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma 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!

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