Child Birth Injury in Washington

Who could ever truly be prepared for raising an infant? The diapers, the car seats, the 2 a.m. feedings; it can all be overwhelming. But those feelings of stress, worry, and anxiety often melt away when you hold your child for the first time. However, a different kind of stress and anxiety can rear its head if your child happens to be injured during the delivery process. Medical malpractice and negligence can be devastating for your loved ones, but there is a solution. You may wish to engage the services of an experienced Washington attorney if you or your child have been injured during childbirth.

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 Washington.

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 Washington 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.

While many focus on injuries and trauma to infants during the birthing process, and rightfully so, mothers may be neglected while still going through considerable trauma. Full Moon Birth Seattle offers comprehensive courses on healing and healing properly from birthing trauma. They specialize in “Birth Listening Stories” which is a holistic approach to help mothers who have had unexpected traumas during their birth.

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

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

Uterine Rupture

While it is increasingly rare, Healthline reports that a uterine rupture during pregnancy is incredibly serious to both mother and child. This complication only occurs during vaginal delivery, and occurs when there is a tear in the mother’s uterus. This then causes the child to slip into the mother’s abdomen. If not handled quickly it can suffocate the child and cause pronounced bleeding for the mother.

Caput Succedaneum

During a long or difficult vaginal delivery, a pronounced swelling of the top of the child’s head can occur. This is often attributed to an early rupture of the membranes, or if there is too little amniotic fluid present. However, according to Medline Health Plus, this can also occur during an improper vacuum extraction of a child.

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 Washington, 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 CDC affirms that Washington enjoys one of the lower rates of infant mortality for the United States. The state has a rate of 4.3 infant deaths per every 1,000 live births. The infant mortality rate for the state has dropped by nearly 12% over the last decade.

Still, injuries can occur due to negligence and malpractice. If you are facing such a scenario, it may be in your best interest to seek the counsel of an experienced attorney in Washington.

Work With an Experienced Local Child Birth Injury Lawyer in Washington

If you expect birth injury medical malpractice in Washington, 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 Washington 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!