Birth injuries due to negligence or error

Starting a family in California is an exciting time. Choosing the best hospital and doctor for your family history and circumstances is critical, especially if complications arise. At Kampf, Schiavone & Associates we have experience taking action against medical professionals whose negligence causes birth injuries.

The majority of babies arrive without complications. However, according to Babygaga, unexpected risk factors often occur during delivery. When the attending personnel cannot identify these factors and act quickly, the result may be harmful to the mother and child. Failure to respond appropriately can cause birth injuries such as bone fractures and induce fetal distress. The most common delivery room mistakes include the following:

• Incorrect use of forceps can cause injuries from a fractured skull and brain damage to cerebral palsy and developmental delays.
• Delaying emergency C-section when labor is prolonged, there is fetal distress, the baby is breech or the placenta separates from the uterine wall prematurely.
• Excessive anesthesia or wrong site injections for spinal epidurals.
• Postpartum blood loss that may indicate there is a blood clot disorder, a hemorrhage or placenta accreta. 

Errors made during pregnancy can also affect the health of the infant after birth. Failing to recognize the signs and risks of birth defects, gestational diabetes, placental complications and preeclampsia can be fatal. Delayed or misdiagnosis is the most common basis for medical malpractice claims. Incorrect action or no action can cause life-long complications that affect the overall quality of life.

If any member of the delivery team is negligent during or after the birth and there are serious consequences, there may be grounds for a claim. Visit our webpage for more information on this topic.