Child Birth Injury in Phoenix, AZ

Do you know the statute of limitations for medical negligence in Arizona?

State law offers a relatively short window of opportunity to file a lawsuit for a childbirth injury. Parents in Phoenix have two years from a qualifying incident to start litigation.

If the symptoms you noticed did not appear at first, there may not be as much time left as you think. After reading this article, you will have the opportunity to make a plan and connect with legal counsel today.

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 Phoenix, AZ.

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 Phoenix 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.

Mistakes due to a stressed medical staff are also known to cause potentially catastrophic events. For example, KNXV-TV in Phoenix reports maternal morbidity escalated during the pandemic.

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

• Clavicle Fracture

Phoenix Children’s identifies clavicles as the most common broken bone during childbirth. This frequency is due to the nature of delivering a child. Their shoulders can become trapped, especially during difficult deliveries. This typically minor injury may require surgery to remedy it without proper care and attention.

• Subdural Hemorrhage

A subdural hemorrhage happens when bleeding occurs between an infant’s dura mater and brain. This extra pressure may dissipate naturally and without treatment. But, it is also a known factor in irreversible brain damage.

Studies find subdural hemorrhages happen to infants in 12 to 25 per 100,000 cases. Consequently, this comparatively common event needs a direct linkage to obstetrics malpractice.

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

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?

The Arizona DHS finds Maricopa County has an infant mortality rate of 4.9 per 1,000 births. While this statistic for Phoenix residents remains below the rest of the United States, that doesn’t say much. The United Health Foundation finds America ranks fifth among industrialized nations in this category.

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

If you suspect child birth injury medical malpractice in Phoenix, 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 Arizona 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!