Founder and Managing Partner
Approximately 7 out of every 1,000 babies in the United States are at risk of being born with some type of birth defect. When you consider the millions of children born each year, this number becomes quite significant, especially when many of these injuries can be attributed to medical malpractice or negligence.
In general terms, medical malpractice includes any error in a medical procedure made by a professional. When the performance of the duties of a professional does not follow usual practices, it is considered that he acts negligently. Common childbirth-related negligences include:
- Surgical errors
- Misdiagnoses
- Nursing mistakes
- Prescription errors
A mother needs proper prenatal care to monitor the pregnancy and detect any risk or danger. If the doctor does not take the necessary measures, she can cause a serious injury in childbirth. This becomes especially sensitive in relation to the baby, with the unfortunately high possibility that an injury caused by negligence will have more permanent consequences for the baby.
While many injuries do not result in clearly visible signs (such as broken bones, seizures, fractures, etc.), it is prudent to take any abnormalities such as excessive crying, stomach problems, or shortness of breath as a sign of a possible injury.
The best thing in these cases is to see a doctor immediately, because there are other signs that the child cannot communicate to the parents, such as nausea, vision and hearing problems, or chronic pain. Some symptoms can take weeks, months, or even years to manifest. You may only become aware of them when your child begins to experience developmental problems with crawling, walking, or talking.
A pregnant mother and her baby are especially vulnerable during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. This is why we trust professionals like obstetricians, nurses, and anesthetists to care for our family members. But when these professionals neglect their duties, the results can be catastrophic. If you believe an act of negligence has caused your child’s birth injuries, contact us today for a free case review.