Child Birth Injury in Philadelphia, PA

Are the costs of complicated childbirth where your infant sustained injuries growing exponentially?

Having a baby in Pennsylvania costs between $6,458 to $12,223 under normal circumstances. Even worse, these numbers apply to someone with health insurance in Philadelphia. The expenses for follow-up procedures or a lifetime of therapy can compound rapidly.

Correspondingly, getting in touch with an attorney can be a dire need. Give yourself some time today to read our guide and take measures to protect your financial future.

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 Philadelphia, PA.

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 Philadelphia 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.

Additionally, there are cases of midwives making significant mistakes that justify litigation. In Cohen v. Furin, a pregnant woman canceled an ambulance on the advice of a midwife in Philadelphia. However, she went through a high-risk pregnancy that resulted in seizures and asphyxia.

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

• Jaundice and Hyperbilirubinemia

Jaundice is a relatively normal condition for an infant in the first days or weeks of their life. Their liver is often not mature enough to process bilirubin. This initial deficiency can create a temporary yellowing of the skin and eyes.

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia states hyperbilirubinemia is a toxic buildup of bilirubin. This situation can create the condition known as kernicterus which causes brain damage.

• Facial Paralysis

Facial paralysis in infants can create unsettling symptoms for new parents. The nerve damage suffered by the newest family member typically causes drooping on one side of the face.

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia identifies the use of forceps as a potential cause. Additionally, doctors may need to perform surgery to fix the nerves.

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

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?

Pennsylvania has an infant mortality rate nearly the same as the U.S. average. But, this statistic does not say much about the quality of obstetrics in cities like Philadelphia. The U.S. consistently ranks higher than other industrialized nations in this category.

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

If you suspect child birth injury medical malpractice in Philadelphia, 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 Pennsylvania 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!