Even when expecting mothers and their newborns receive diligent and comprehensive prenatal care, there is always a risk that an unexpected complication could cause severe and lasting harm to both mother and child. Unfortunately, this danger is sometimes even greater for no other reason than the negligence of attending physicians, nurses, and technicians. In situations like this, civil recovery can only do so much to erase the lifelong repercussions of physical injury sustained during childbirth.
Working with a skilled malpractice attorney to hold a reckless or careless doctor accountable for harming you or your newborn can be vital to preserving your whole family’s best interests. If you believe you received substandard care before, during, or after childbirth that left you or your child seriously injured, contacting a Chardon birth injury lawyer to discuss your legal options should be a priority.
How Medical Negligence Can Cause Birth Injuries
Multiple risk factors make it more likely for a mother to have a difficult birthing experience, such as disproportionate pelvis size, abnormal birthing presentations, or a larger than average baby at birth. However, every medical professional who assists with the birth should be aware of all possible risk factors, take all necessary precautions to address them promptly should they arise, and monitor the vitals of both mother and child the entire time.
A failure to meet any of these expectations through carelessness often violates the standard of care for healthcare providers in this position. It is only possible to file suit against a medical professional or his employer if an individual can prove the named defendant(s) did something that no equally qualified and experienced professional would have done under the same circumstances. In the context of birth injuries, actionable negligence can be:
- Misuse of tools like forceps
- Failure to diagnose and address complications quickly
- Unsanitary conditions leading to infections
- Lack of appropriate postnatal and follow-up care
- Not ordering a C-section quickly when necessary
An attorney in Chardon could discuss whether a particular birth injury might serve as grounds for a claim during a private consultation.
Recovering for Birth Injury-Related Losses
Newborn babies are especially susceptible to long-lasting and even permanent harm from physical trauma, most notably various forms of nerve damage like cerebral palsy, Klumpke’s
palsy, and Erb’s palsy. It can be vital during birth injury litigation to account for the immediate effects of the harm and impacts a child will deal with years later.
Depending on the circumstances, this can mean demanding restitution for past and future medical bills, lost earning capacity, physical pain and suffering, psychological distress, and lost enjoyment of life. A birth injury lawyer in Chardon could clarify on a case-by-case basis what damages may or may not be available.
A Chardon Birth Injury Attorney Can Help
Every healthcare provider has a legal responsibility to provide considerate and consistent care to all patients, but it is particularly crucial for providers helping with childbirth to meet this basic standard. Any healthcare professional who harms a mother or child through his or her misconduct could be responsible for every short-term and long-term effect of those actions.
However, pursuing a claim as sensitive and high stakes as this without capable legal counsel on your side can often be a recipe for disaster. Call a Chardon birth injury lawyer today to get the assistance you deserve with your unique claim.
