Child Birth Injury in Rhode Island
Injuries incurred during the delivery process can be devastating. Devastating to the child, and devastating to the parents. Many of these injuries are avoidable through proper procedures, nutrition, and education. However, there are scenarios when children have been injured due to gross negligence or malpractice on part of the hospital or medical professionals. If this is the case, you may want to contact an experienced attorney in Rhode Island.
What Causes a Childbirth Injury?
While enduring delivery, was a medical professional negligent towards you and did damage occur as a result? If so, affected parents have a chance of bringing a medical malpractice lawsuit for compensation in Rhode Island.
During the labor and delivery process, timing and action are two crucial elements. Sometimes an infant suffers a birth injury. This can mean that a medical practitioner either made a poor judgment call or failed to act appropriately. However, if the Rhode Island 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 come, and are not reached.
One of the imminent dangers to both children and mothers during childbirth is the lack of proper care. Providence Journal reported that the childbirth center next to Memorial Hospital in Providence was in danger of closing, leaving one less option to women who are seeking to have a safe and healthy birthing experience. The closing revolved around the changing State Guidelines to provide obstetrics, and whether or not the center can meet those guidelines.
Even further, there are quite a few scenarios that may cause a child to sustain an injury while being born in Rhode Island. One of the following examples may apply to your circumstances.
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Improper Vacuum Usage
Sometimes a mother has difficulties delivering a baby through the birth canal. Rhode Island medical professionals may intervene and use a vacuum to assist. The 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.
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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. Attending medical professionals may use forceps to help move it 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.
Still, 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.
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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 Rhode Island 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.
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Cesarean Section Delay
An emergency C-section may be necessary due to an infant 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 Rhode Island?
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
Premature Rupture of Membranes
PROM is said to occur when the membranes surrounding the womb that hold back the amniotic fluid break. This will generally happen on its own in labor, but there are cases of it happening before the mother is ready to go into labor. Mediline states that this can sometimes be attributed to infection, or if you had a previous PROM in an earlier pregnancy.
Failed Induction
The Mayo Clinic reports can bring a host of other problems to both mother and child. An induction is considered a failure if it does not result in a vaginal delivery within 24 hours. Certain methods of induction, such as rupturing the surrounding membranes, can lead to infection and even a low fetal heart rate. If an induction fails, a cesarean section or C-Section, is almost always necessary.
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 Rhode Island, 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.
According to the CDC, the state’s infant mortality rate is 4 deaths for every 1,000 live births recorded. Whereas many states have experienced a drop in infant mortality, Rhode Island’s infant mortality rate has remained static. If you or your child has been injured during childbirth, you may want to engage the services of an experienced Rhode Island attorney.
Work With an Experienced Local Child Birth Injury Lawyer in Rhode Island
If you expect birth injury medical malpractice in Rhode Island, you should take action. Cases can vary sharply depending on the state in which the injury occurs. 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 Rhode Island 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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