Child Birth Injury in Rapid City, SD

Are you preparing to seek civil justice for childbirth injuries suffered in a Rapid City hospital?

South Dakota legislation does not allow parents to wait long to begin litigation for medical negligence. State law states civil action cannot start over two years after the incident.

It can take time to find an attorney and build a case. If you procrastinate, you could lose the opportunity to protect your family’s future. Therefore, we offer this quick guide and a way to connect with a local lawyer ready to help you.

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 Rapid City, SD.

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 Rapid 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.

Problems during childbirth have also made the news for increases in maternal mortality. According to KOTA in Rapid City, three in five deaths were attributed to preventable causes.

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

  • Klumpke Palsy

Klumpke palsy can have a paralyzing effect from a child’s face to their shoulder, arms, and hands. Most occurrences after birth in a Rapid City hospital stem from already difficult circumstances. For example, a prolonged delivery in a breech position is a more likely scenario for this condition. Moreover, this scenario also increases the odds of mistakes by a nurse or doctor.

  • Femur Fracture

A femur fracture during childbirth is rare enough it is not well understood. The characteristics and risk factors are rarely well-explained to anyone. This dynamic can make litigation tricky. Nonetheless, it is not out of the question for medical malpractice in Rapid City to be the cause. You will want to help your attorney gather as many details as possible to bolster the case.

What Are Some Other Possible Causes of Childbirth Injury in Rapid 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

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 Rapid 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.

The South Dakota Department of Health has issued troubling news about obstetrics care. Its infant mortality is one of the highest in the nation. Moreover, it is significantly higher than five of its neighboring states. Because this problem is public knowledge, you may find sympathetic ears among civil juries in Rapid City.

Work With an Experienced Local Child Birth Injury Lawyer in Rapid City, South Dakota 

If you suspect child birth injury medical malpractice in Rapid 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 South Dakota 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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