Birth Injuries that Occur Due to Incorrect Use of Forceps

There are a number of complications that can occur during child birth. In births involving a baby that is in the breech position, or one that is too big, or in the event of a lengthy labor, it may be necessary to use forceps. These medical devices can certainly be useful, but they can also lead to serious and sometimes catastrophic birth injuries. It is crucial that the doctor makes the mother aware of the potential dangers and that the utmost level of care is provided throughout the delivery process.
Because of the dangers that forceps present, it is important that they are only used when there is fetal distress or the mother is struggling to give birth. When used correctly, the forceps will clamp down on the baby’s head allowing the doctor to assist the baby’s passage through the birth canal. Unfortunately, when used incorrectly, forceps can do great damage. Forceps delivery requires force on the sides of the baby’s head. Injuries suffered by the baby range from temporary disfigurement to permanent nerve damage, facial asymmetry and cerebral palsy. Cerebral Palsy is a developmental disability that may occur if the forceps are used with such great force that they cause brain damage. One of the lifelong consequences of this disability is difficulty with motor skills.
Whenever a forceps birth injury occurs, it must be examined if the doctor made a mistake. Additionally, investigators may have to determine why forceps were needed in the first place. Did the doctor fail to adequately prepare for complications during the delivery? Should the doctor have performed a caesarean section to prevent the fetal distress and the need for the use of forceps?
The New York medical malpractice attorneys at The Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm have years of experience handling birth injury cases. A $43,940,000 award for one of our clients was obtain when the woman’s baby suffered permanent brain damage and cerebral palsy because the hospital did not properly diagnose fetal distress. The brain damage occurred as a result of oxygen supply to the baby’s brain getting cut off. This happens in a number of serious birth injury cases.
If your baby has suffered an injury during birth please contact our offices at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496) for a free and comprehensive consultation. We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
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1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
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