C-Section Medical Malpractice

Cesarean section deliveries are performed for many reasons, such as when the mother has already had one C-section delivery or if the mother/child displays fetopelvic disproportion, malpresentation, transverse lie, or if there are other signs of fetal distress.  C-sections can also be required if the mother has had other types of vaginal or uterine surgeries or if a tumor lies in the pelvis.

The experience of this Kingston medical malpractice attorney has shown that C-sections are major surgical events.  Many people take part in the process before, during, and after the procedure.  It is also well known that C-sections are not always needed as the birthing doctor may suggest.  Studies have shown that C-sections may be over utilized in the United States of America.

Given this information, expectant mothers should slowly, thoughtfully, and deliberatively, weigh the decision to have, or not to have, a C-section delivery.

If the decision is made to have a C-section, the mother should expect to have the procedure done properly and in accordance with the standards put forth by the medical profession.  Both the mother and child can be negligently injured during the procedure.  When that happens, the mother can sue the offending medical professionals in a Kingston area court of law.

If it turns out that a cesarean section was not at all necessary, the doctor can be held liable for medical malpractice.  But this is only true when there was reason at all that justifies the doctor recommending and performing the C-section delivery.  Either way, if performed negligently, the injured people can receive compensation for their damages.

Doctors can also be liable for medical malpractice if they failed to recommend C-section delivery to the mother when the circumstances warranted such a recommendation.  Doctors should talk to the pregnant mother and perform examinations to see if vaginal delivery is a risk for the mother.  If the doctor fails to detect those risk factors when he/she should have detected such, then medical malpractice may be at hand.  Additionally, if the doctor did know that the mom was an at-risk pregnancy but failed to tell the patient, medical malpractice may be at hand.  In short, if it was unreasonable to not recommend cesarean delivery to the mom, malpractice may be afoot.

Here is a short list of injuries associated with C-section deliveries:

• Cuts on the baby’s body; typically called fetal lacerations.
• Infection suffered by the mother post surgery.
• Anesthesia complications that which cause injury.
• Excessive bleeding.
• Blood clotting within the body.
• Excessive scarring.
• Infant respiratory distress.

There are also a host of additional injuries that can be suffered if the C-section delivery is delayed or not performed when it should have been.

But what do you think?  I would love to hear from you!  Leave a comment or I also welcome your phone call on my toll-free cell at 1-866-889-6882 or you can drop me an e-mail at jfisher@fishermalpracticelaw.com.  You are always welcome to request my FREE book, The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims, at the home page of my website at www.protectingpatientrights.com.