Child Birth Injury in Texas

Everything is bigger in Texas. The hats, the boots, the cars; everything. That means the swell of pride you feel when you meet your child for the first time is bigger too. However, this moment can be derailed if you, your cold, or a loved one is injured during the birthing process due to medical malpractice or negligence. If you experienced this, you may want to contact a seasoned Texas attorney to help you press your rights against such medical malfeasance.

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 Texas .

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 Texas 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.

There are a large number of injuries that occur during childbirth each year that are preventable through proper education and preparation. Lack of knowledge harms a great number of people throughout the U.S., and this harms both mother and child. According to UT Southwestern Medical Center, over 9,000 women go into labor each year, but never make it to the hospital to deliver. This is in part because they are ill-informed and don’t know to come into the hospital once their water breaks.

Even further, there are quite a few scenarios that may cause a child to sustain an injury while being born in Texas . 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. Texas 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 Texas 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 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 Texas ?

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

Infections

Most women are forced to deal with infections from time to time. But contracting infections during pregnancy can be harmful to your child. According to the National Health Service, infections such as chicken pox, CMV, and Group B Streptococcus are incredibly dangerous for an unborn child.

Additionally, animal-transmitted viruses such as toxoplasmosis or Hepatitis E, are also extremely dangerous.

Placental Abruption

Placental abruption is a very serious disorder that can occur during pregnancy. If this occurs, the placenta can detach from the uterine wall before birth. This can lead to oxygen deprivation for the baby. According to the March of Dimes, if placental abruption occurs the mother can experience intense pain and serious bleeding.

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 Texas , 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 University of Texas reports that the infant mortality rate for the state has declined by nearly 8% in the last decade. The current infant mortality rate stands at 5.5 infant deaths for every 1,000 live births. Still, if you have experienced injury during childbirth, you may want to seek the counsel of an experienced Texas attorney.

Work With an Experienced Local Child Birth Injury Lawyer in Texas

If you expect birth injury medical malpractice in Texas , 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 Texas 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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