Birth Injury Lawyers in Abilene, TX
The arrival of a new family member should be a joyous event. However, the birthing process can sometimes lead to unexpected complications, resulting in injury to the newborn. These injuries range from minor, temporary issues to severe, long-term disabilities, like cerebral palsy or brain damage. When such injuries occur, they raise concerns about the standard of care given by healthcare professionals during delivery. If your child was negligent due to a medical professional’s negligence, our medical malpractice attorney in Abilene is here to fight for you. Â
As a small, local firm, we will provide a personalized, hands-on approach to your birth injury claim. When the unthinkable happens, you need to focus on your child’s recovery and treatment. Our Abilene birth injury attorneys handle all aspects of your case, from investigations and evidence gathering to negotiating with insurance entities or pursuing a lawsuit, if necessary.Â
Medical Errors That Lead to Birth Injuries
Childbirth is an intricate process that requires precise care and attention from healthcare professionals. Despite their training and intentions, mistakes can happen, leading to birth injuries that can often have lasting effects on the child and their family. Understanding the common medical errors that lead to such injuries can help parents and guardians recognize when their child’s condition may be the result of negligence.Â
The following are several types of medical errors that fall below the standard of care:Â
Failure to Monitor Fetal Distress
One of the critical tasks during labor is monitoring the fetus’s heart rate to detect any signs of distress. Failure to properly monitor or interpret these signals can delay the identification of serious problems, such as oxygen deprivation, which can lead to conditions like cerebral palsy or brain damage.
Improper Use of Delivery Tools
Tools like forceps and vacuum extractors can assist during a difficult birth, but their improper use can cause serious injuries to the baby, such as skull fractures, brain injuries, or nerve damage. The decision to use these tools and the method of their use must be handled with great care.
Delayed C-Section
A cesarean section (C-section) can be a lifesaving procedure when complications arise during birth, such as prolonged labor or fetal distress. A delay in deciding to perform a C-section increases the risk of harm to both the mother and the baby, leading to injuries that might have been preventable with timely intervention.
Medication Errors
Errors in administering medications to the mother during labor, such as improper dosages or the use of drugs that cause adverse reactions, can result in birth injuries. These mistakes can affect the mother’s and the baby’s health, potentially leading to complications.
Poor Management of Pregnancy Complications
Conditions like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and infections, if not properly managed, pose significant risks to both the mother and the child. Medical professionals are expected to diagnose and treat these conditions promptly to prevent birth injuries.
Inadequate Training or Staffing
Sometimes, birth injuries result from healthcare facilities being understaffed or staffed with inadequately trained personnel. This can lead to oversights, mistakes, and a lack of timely care, all of which increase the risk of injury during birth.
Failure to Communicate
Effective communication among the medical team is crucial, especially during the birthing process. Miscommunication or lack of communication about the mother’s health condition, the baby’s status, or the progression of labor can lead to delayed or incorrect responses that result in birth injuries.
If you suspect that a medical error played a role in your child’s birth injury, seek legal counsel from a birth injury lawyer at The Law Firm of Chaile Allen. Chaile will determine whether negligence occurred, guide you through the legal process, and fight to seek the compensation necessary for your child’s care and well-being.
