Medical Malpractice in the Delivery Room: Bringing or Defending Claims for Birth Trauma Injuries

Description

Birth trauma is an injury to the child during delivery. Advances in medical technology have significantly reduced preventable injuries. Failing to anticipate--or underestimating--complications, slow responses, unreasonable delays, misuse of medical tools and equipment, and poor after-care can result in devastating and permanent damage. And what's more, failing to understand how the medical evidence is used in litigation can be catastrophic to the pursuit or defense of a claim.

One frequent cause of devastating injuries at birth is insufficient oxygen delivery to the brain, which can lead to severe brain injury resulting in cognitive impairments, cerebral palsy, and other profound, life-altering limitations. Untreated infection or low blood sugar can also cause similar devastating brain injuries. Aside from brain injuries, the delivery itself can lead to damage to the cluster of nerves in the neck that control movement of the shoulder, arm, and wrist leading to permanent impairment in these areas. In other cases, a baby's spinal cord is stretched, which may lead to permanent damage or paralysis.

Medical malpractice attorneys--both plaintiff and defense--must navigate several unique and complicated legal and medical-legal issues from complaint and answer through trial or settlement.

Listen as our experienced panel discusses current trends relating to common birth trauma injuries that give rise to obstetric malpractice claims and strategies for either succeeding or rebuffing those claims.