Injuries to newborn babies and/or mom can be devastating. These injuries can occur during the pregnancy or the labor and delivery process itself. The harm can be catastrophic and result in death or severe disabilities that lead to a lifetime of expensive care.
What types of pregnancy or birth injuries can be the result of medical malpractice?
Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (“HIE”) This occurs when the unborn baby does not get enough oxygen during the labor and delivery and the health care provider waits too long to deliver the baby. Signs are often missed by the health care providers and this condition often results in severe brain damage or even death to the baby. HIE is often a cause of cerebral palsy.
Uterine rupture can quickly lead to the death of mother and/or baby. This catastrophic event can occur if the wrong medications or dosages of medications are used during labor or if a health care provider fails to discover problems with the uterus while mom is pregnant.
Shoulder dystocia occurs when the baby’s position in the womb causes difficulty in delivery. The baby’s shoulder and arm can be injured, leading to damage to the bundle of nerves in the shoulder (“brachial plexus.”) The baby may lose the ability to move and use the arm properly and require extensive surgery and therapy throughout his or her life.
If your child or loved one suffered from any of these conditions, or you suspect that a mistake was made during your pregnancy or delivery, please contact the lawyers at Joseph, Greenwald & Laake, PA and speak with us about your case.
What if my child is older-am I able to still pursue a claim?
Generally, an injured party has a short period of time-2 or 3 years, depending on the state or district, to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice. However, that time period is extended if the malpractice victim is a child. Do not wait – call us today at (301) 220-2200.
