Greece
Spanish
Going to the hospital to have a baby is an experience that most parents look forward to. While the majority of them go home to enjoy their precious bundle of joy, others may not have that same experience.
Some women have a difficult birth, but there are times when these situations were avoidable. When medical negligence plays a role in a birth injury, the parents may opt to pursue a compensation claim that can help with the financial damages and other effects of the birth injury.
Part of the case will hinge on being able to prove that negligence was the cause of the baby’s injuries. There are some signs that can signal that the proper standard of care wasn’t met.
1: Fetal distress isn’t properly addressed
Electronic fetal monitoring may show that there’s a change in the baby’s heart rate. While it’s not fully uncommon, persistent abnormalities can signal that the baby isn’t tolerating labor, which could mean that swift intervention is necessary or the baby is at risk of suffering a lack of oxygen.
2: Necessary C-section is delayed
C-sections are sometimes needed because of an emergency with the baby or mother. If labor stalls, fetal distress continues or an emergency develops, it’s critical that a C-section is done without delay.
3: Forceps or vacuum devices were misused
Assistive delivery tools are necessary for some deliveries, but they must be used properly. Concerns may arise when multiple attempts are made without progress. Excessive force, multiple failed attempts and poor placement are all events that can lead to a birth injury.
4: Baby didn’t receive needed urgent support
Babies sometimes need urgent support. Low Apgar scores, seizures and breathing problems are all signs that something is amiss. Those are signs that the baby is in distress and may require transfer to the neonatal intensive care unit.
5: Explanation doesn’t match medical record
Medical records show what the care team knew and what they did with the information. Various components of the medical records, such as physician notes, fetal monitoring strips, delivery records and cord blood gas results are all things to check because they can show what happened.
Not every birth injury is the result of medical negligence. It’s critical to look at the situation and determine if a compensation claim is in order. Working with someone familiar with these matters may be beneficial.