Obstetric Malpractice
“It’s a boy!” “It’s a girl!” Those words are perhaps the most exciting words expecting moms and dads can hear. Every expecting parent looks forward to a healthy child. They hope that the mom can deliver the baby and return home after a few days in the hospital with their brand-new healthy infant.
However, sometimes complications arise. Every pregnancy carries the potential for unforeseen complications. How an obstetrician and his or her medical staff react to certain signs and complications during childbirth can mean the difference between a healthy baby, a dead baby, or a baby with permanent injuries.
Malpractice Claim Against an OB
Behind neurosurgeons, obstetricians face the most malpractice suits of all doctors according to the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. In fact, malpractice settlements between obstetricians and their patients often exceed $1 million. A similar report from the American Medical Association states that seventy percent of obstetricians have been sued at least once.
Common Types of Obstetric Malpractice
The following are common types of obstetric malpractice:
Misdiagnosis: A doctor’s failure to identify a birth defect or genetic disorder during pregnancy.
Failure to diagnose: This means that the doctor and medical staff failed to diagnose a problem or potential problem before, during or after birth. For instance, a failure to diagnose placental infection can lead to baby oxygen deprivation, which can cause brain damage, cerebral palsy, and vision impairment.
Improperly performing a cesarean section: During a C-section, a doctor makes a surgical incision in the mother’s abdomen and uterus to deliver the child. This process poses a risk to both the baby and mother. If the doctor makes a mistake, it can result in internal bleeding, damage to organs, damage to nerves, heart complications, and more.
Failure to perform a timely cesarean section: A doctor is charged with protecting the life of the mother and unborn child. When the mother or unborn child is in distress, it may be best to remove the child as soon as possible. A doctor’s failure to perform a timely C-section can cause brain damage and cerebral palsy in the child due to a lack of oxygen.
Failure to discover ectopic pregnancy: This occurs when the fertilized egg attaches itself to a place other than the uterus, usually the fallopian tube. In that instance, the doctor must timely remove the egg, or it can cause bleeding that can be deadly.
Improperly using forceps: When forceps are necessary, it is imperative that the doctor correctly places the tongs to the baby’s head and doesn’t use too much force. If forceps are applied unevenly or used with excessive force, the strain on the baby’s head could cause skull fractures, compression of the head, tearing of the vessels in the brain, swelling in the brain, and brain hemorrhaging.
Failure to recognize umbilical cord complications: The most common type of umbilical cord complication is umbilical cord compression. When compressed, blood flow through the cord can be obstructed. In turn, the baby will be deprived of oxygen. This potentially results in permanent brain injury.
Contact Attorney Joel Williams if a You or Your Child Is the Victim of Obstetric Malpractice
If you or your child is a victim of obstetric malpractice, contact the personal injury law firm of Joel Williams, a Kennesaw, Georgia lawyer who fights for injury victims. If you have questions or would like to discuss your case, please call our office today at 833 – LEGALGA for a free consultation.
