Child Birth Injury in Sacramento, CA

Every parent in Sacramento wants the best case scenario for the child; healthy and happy. And for many people, those first few moments of life with their newborn child are everything they hope it will be. However, there are those that suffer through injury during childbirth, to their child or themselves, due to medical malpractice or negligence. If this happens to you, you may want to seek out an experienced attorney in Sacramento.

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 Sacramento, CA.

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 Sacramento 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.

UCDavis is currently underway with research and strategies to identify risk factors associated with brachial plexus in infants; and in turn, reduce the chances that a child can be born with some type of paralysis. The research team is developing a predictive risk analysis model that identifies both maternal and hospital factors that play into the injury. By accurately predicting these factors, they can be controlled to lessen any chance of paralysis.

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

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

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

Shoulder Dystocia

According to the March of Dimes, shoulder dystocia is a birthing trauma that occurs when one or both of the baby’s shoulders become stuck in the mother’s vagina during the birthing process. This is hard to predict or detect until birth starts, but there are known risk factors such as gestational diabetes, gaining too much weight during the pregnancy, or macrosomia.

Brachial Plexus

According to the Children’s Hospital, brachial plexus injuries occur at a rate of about 3 in every 1,000 births. The brachial plexus is injured when the nerves are stretched or compressed during a difficult delivery. These injuries vary in seriousness, as well as recovery time. The nerves can be stretched, ruptured, or even experience an avulsion.

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 Sacramento, 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.

California has one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the U.S, according to March of Dimes. This should be comforting to many Sacramento residents. The infant mortality rate for the state is 4.2 deaths per every 1,000 live births. Still, if your child has been injured during the birthing process, you may want to reach out to an experienced attorney in Sacramento.

Work With an Experienced Local Child Birth Injury Lawyer in Sacramento, California 

If you suspect child birth injury medical malpractice in Sacramento, 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 California 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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