St. Paul Birth Injury Lawyer
The birth of a child should be a happy time. Yet even when obstetricians, nurses, medical techs and other medical caregivers make every effort to be sure the baby is healthy and no harm is caused to him or her, sometimes birth injury does occur. This is devastating to the parents and family. It is crucial that an experienced personal injury lawyer is contacted as soon as birth injury has occurred when the records and recollections are fresh. We have experience with birth injuries related to the diagnosis of preeclampsia and cerebral palsy.
Birth Injuries Can Result In Lifelong Injury And High Medical Costs
Two types of injuries can occur during birth and delivery:
- Lack of oxygen to the brain (asphyxia or hypoxia)
- Trauma during delivery
Lack of oxygen to the brain can cause lifelong disability. Though it is normal for a small measure of asphyxia or hypoxia to occur during the delivery process, significant negligence can lead to significant brain injuries in a baby. When the umbilical cord becomes compressed or even separated, the placenta separates before delivery or the uterus ruptures, swift action must be taken. Birth injury can be greatly minimized if the baby is delivered by C-section within 15 to 20 minutes. Many times, however, more than 30 minutes go by before the emergency cesarean is done.
Trauma during delivery can be devastating to the baby. In most births a certain level of trauma occurs with little, if any, lasting effects. Even when the best of care is being given and everyone is performing the child delivery task properly, minor bruising can happen. Determining if the trauma is due to actual malpractice requires an experienced lawyer who understands birth injuries and what steps need to be taken. Bennerotte & Associates, P.A., can help you determine if medical errors may support a malpractice action.
Signs Of Medical Malpractice During Birth And Delivery
- Failure to observe and respond to umbilical cord entrapment or complications
- Failure to respond appropriately to bleeding
- Failure to respond to fetal distress, including fetal heartbeat irregularities
- Failure to anticipate complications that may occur during delivery due to maternal health issues, a larger baby or other factors
- Deferment or delay in ordering a cesarean section when clearly medically necessary
- Anesthesia errors
- Inappropriate administration of Pitocin (synthetic hormone for inducing/speeding up labor)
- Post-birth errors including mistakes in performing a circumcision, failure to tend to infection, etc.
Bennerotte & Associates, P.A., can help you determine if medical errors support a malpractice action.
Do You Have A Case?
Act swiftly if your baby has suffered injuries due to the negligence of a medical care provider or a medical device or drug manufacturer. Contact Bennerotte & Associates, P.A., as soon as possible to find out what your rights are and what compensation is due to you. Call us at 651-364-6807 to set up a free, confidential consultation in our Eagan office. You may also contact us with our online form.