Child Birth Injury in Winston-Salem, NC

Life has a seemingly unending supply of stressful moments; first dates, job interviews, ebay auctions, and watching Wake Forest years after year.

Still, there are few things in life that can match the stress and anxiety surrounding becoming a new parent. Adding to this is the fact that complications could occur during the birthing process, resulting in injury to the child, the mother, or both.

If you have experienced complications during birth that have resulted in injury, you may want to seek the counsel of an experienced attorney in Winston-Salem. He or she can help you fight to enforce your rights, and seek restitution if necessary.

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 Winston-Salem, NC.

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 Winston-Salem 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.

Proper screening can save the life of your child. Atrium Health reports that Maxton Nelson’s life was saved due to just this fact. Doctors found a mass pressing on the child’s airway while still in the womb. This made a normal delivery very risky for brain damage or even death because his brain could not get enough oxygen. Because the doctor’s discovered it early enough, they were able to perform an operation and save the life of the child.

Beyond this, there are quite a few scenarios that may cause a child to sustain an injury while being born in Winston-Salem. 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. Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem, North Carolina 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 Winston-Salem?

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

Perineal Laceration

Perineal lacerations, also commonly referred to as vaginal tears, generally occur during the birthing process due to the size of the child’s head. The Mayo Clinic states that there are instances during labor when a child’s head is too large for the vaginal opening.

If this is the case, vaginal tearing can occur. However, there are also instances when a child has a normal head, but the vagina of the mother does not stretch easily. A situation such as this could also result in vaginal tearing.

Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy

According to Medline, intrahepatic cholestasis can be potentially fatal. ICP is a liver disorder that develops in pregnant women, usually presenting during the 3rd trimester. It is categorized by a build-up of bile in the liver, impairing the function. This is accompanied by severe itching, jaundice, and gallstones. It can also cause the child to be stillborn.

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 Winston-Salem, 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 March of Dimes, North Carolina has an infant mortality rate of 6.8 deaths per every 1,000 live births. This should bring some concern to those in Winston-Salem, as it is well above the national average. If your child has been injured during the birthing process, you may want to reach out to an experienced attorney in Winston-Salem.

Work With an Experienced Local Child Birth Injury Lawyer in Winston-Salem, North Carolina 

If you suspect child birth injury medical malpractice in Winston-Salem, 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 North Carolina 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!