Medical malpractice is a type of personal injury claim where a healthcare professional’s negligence causes harm to a patient.
Unfortunately, a common type of medical malpractice involves injuries occurring during childbirth.
Injuries in mothers
Childbirth is a major medical procedure, and mothers are just as susceptible to severe injuries as the baby. For example, they can experience a ruptured or prolapsed uterus, post-partum hemorrhage, or severe vaginal tearing. Sometimes these injuries occur regardless of a doctor’s best efforts to stop them, and sometimes, the doctor is at fault. For example, doctors can take steps to prevent severe tearing and hemorrhaging, and failure to do so could constitute negligence.
Injuries in newborns
Newborn birth injuries can range from minor to life-altering. For example, if a doctor accidentally cuts the child during a C-section, it may result in no more than a few stitches. However, babies sometimes suffer more severe injuries, such as head trauma resulting in cerebral palsy or brain damage. They can also suffer injuries from oxygen deprivation and even sustain fractures during the birthing process.
Recoverable damages
If you or your child suffered injuries during birth or you lost your partner or baby as the result of medical malpractice, you could recover the cost of medical expenses for past and future care, pain and suffering, emotional distress, diminished quality of life, special education expense, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Doctors have a responsibility to care for mothers after birth as well. Postpartum injuries are sometimes the result of medical malpractice.