(845) 802-0047Forceps Labor Injury
Medical Malpractice MistakesThere are a number of tools obstetricians use to help should difficulties arise during labor and delivery. One of these tools is the forceps. Forceps are metal instruments that are hinged on one end and are used for grasping or holding objects. When they are used for assisting in childbirth, they are large with broad blades for encircling a baby’s head. During a forceps delivery, the obstetrician will place the forceps around the child’s head. The obstetrician will then attempt to pull the child from the birth canal.
The use of forceps to deliver a child has become less common today than it was in the past. The reason for this is that the negligent use of forceps has caused brain damage, cerebral palsy, among other problems. Additionally, the use of forceps during delivery can be very traumatic to the mother.
The injuries that may result from the improper use of forceps can be very serious and possibly life-threatening. Mother’s may suffer from:
- Lacerations,
- Bleeding,
- Incontinence, or
- Other complications
Babies are also at risk of sustaining serious injuries, including:
- Bleeding between the skull and the membrane that surrounds the skull
- Bruises or lacerations of the face
- Cerebral palsy
- Erb’s palsy
- Facial paralysis
- Intracranial hemorrhage
- Shoulder dystocia
- Skull fractures
There are instances where deliveries during which forceps were used, the child and mother would have been better off had the doctor performed a C-section instead. If forceps were not used correctly or were used in situations where their use was not warranted, medical malpractice may be involved.
If you believe that you, your child, or a loved one has been injured as a result of the negligent use of forceps during deliver, contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible to evaluate your case. When birth injuries are involved there can be significant expenses. Therefore it is important to show the costs of the negligence and the protected costs for the care of the injured child for their life. An experienced attorney can help you obtain the monetary compensation you will need.
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.