When a child is born, it is a moment of joy for families. However, for some, this joy is short-lived as they discover that their child has suffered a birth injury. Such injury can affect a child’s quality of life and place a major burden on their family. If your baby has a birth injury, what do you need to know to protect your child and pursue justice?
Medical errors to watch out for
Although medical professionals strive to provide quality care, mistakes can and do happen. Among the medical errors that can lead to birth injuries are:
- Failure to monitor fetal heart rate: This can lead to delayed detection of fetal distress, which may result in birth asphyxia, HIE and other injuries.
- Delayed or failed cesarean section (C-section): This can lead to birth injuries, mainly if the baby is in distress or if there are complications during delivery.
- Improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors: This can cause physical trauma to the head, face or body of the baby, leading to injuries such as facial nerve palsy or brachial plexus injuries.
- Inadequate management of prolonged labor: Failure to properly manage prolonged labor can lead to fetal distress, birth asphyxia and other injuries.
- Failure to recognize and respond to fetal distress: Not recognizing abnormal heart rate patterns and other signs of fetal distress and not responding to them can lead to delayed intervention and potential injuries.
Thus, it is essential for healthcare providers to follow hospital protocols to minimize the risk of errors during childbirth. Also, they must be vigilant to avoid committing medication errors and failure to diagnose.
Aiming for the compensation you deserve
Birth injuries due to medical errors can have severe and even life-altering consequences. Since going through the legal process can be daunting, seeking an advocate can be crucial when aiming for the compensation you deserve to care for your child. In addition, having legal guidance may help ensure the protection of your rights in your pursuit of justice.