Child Birth Injury in Raleigh, NC

The momentous changes in your life after the birth of a child can feel stressful at the best of times. But, when they need specialized care because of malpractice, you can quickly become overwhelmed.

As a result, you may have procrastinated. After all, how do you know if you have a legitimate case to bring to civil court?

Unfortunately, parents in Raleigh do not have much time for this debate. North Carolina law has a three-year statute of limitations to sue for negligence. If you need legal counsel, consider the information in this guide quickly and carefully.

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 Raleigh, NC.

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 Raleigh 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.

WNCN in Raleigh points out another catastrophic event during childbirth in the city. According to their reporting, pregnancy-related deaths increased an alarming amount recently. In response, money from COVID-19 legislation has also become dedicated to reducing maternal mortality.

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

• Brachial Plexus Injury

The overstretching of the arm and shoulders during childbirth in a hospital in Raleigh can damage nerves. Generally, the strain put on the brachial plexus is a well-known injury.

Organizations like Duke Health have teams of doctors that may become involved to heal the harm done. In particular, you may need physical therapists and surgeons to repair the damage.

• Cerebral Palsy

Damage to the brain before, during, or after childbirth can create this condition. As a result, infants and children with it can have challenges with motor control. Other symptoms parents in Raleigh may recognize are:

• Problems with sitting up or crawling

• Lack of balance and coordination

• Muscle spasms and hand tremors
• Delayed developmental milestones

The potential causes of cerebral palsy are well-known. But, there are several scenarios where parents can attribute cerebral palsy to medical negligence.

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

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 North Carolina Medical Journal asserts the critical nature of a state’s infant mortality rate. As reported, it is an indicator of the overall quality of health in places like Raleigh. Presently, it is at 7 per 1,000 live births, which is well-above the rest of the country.

It is essential that any parent whose child has been diagnosed with a birth injury in Raleigh, 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 Raleigh, North Carolina 

If you suspect child birth injury medical malpractice in Raleigh, 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 North Carolina 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!