When a mother is giving birth to her child, the last scenario she anticipates is that she and her child will suffer a serious injury. The birth of a child should be a joyous day for a parent, not a day that is marred by the negligence of a medical practitioner. If you or your child was the victim of medical malpractice, contact an experienced Baltimore birth injury attorney today.
At Bennett & Heyman, we understand the difficulty of dealing with an injury to a child so shortly after their birth, and we are here to fight for you. Our firm can help you pursue the compensation you deserve from negligent medical practitioners that caused you and your child to suffer serious injuries. To schedule a free legal consultation, contact Bennett & Heyman at (410) 429-7856, or contact us online.
Common Causes of Birth Trauma Injuries in Baltimore, MD
Birth trauma injuries can leave a newborn child or a mother with long-term or permanent medical issues. While some birth injuries may not be the fault of any party, there are many circumstances where a doctor could have prevented a birth injury. The following is a list of common causes of birth trauma injuries.
Improper Use of Birthing instruments
If a doctor believes that a delivery will be difficult on a child or a mother, they may employ the use of birthing tools like forceps or a vacuum suction. Both of these birthing instruments are utilized by attaching them to the top of an infant’s head to pull them from the womb.
If a doctor exerts too much force when using forceps or a vacuum suction, they could cause a child to suffer a serious head injury or injury to another part of the child’s body.
Vaginal Tears
There are a number of circumstances that could cause a mother to suffer a tear in the vaginal area. For example, if a mother is giving birth to a child that is larger than average, she could suffer a tear because the birth canal could not stretch enough to accommodate the child.
There are four categories of vaginal tears from a first degree tear to a fourth degree tear. First degree tears typically heal on their own and do not require surgery. However, a fourth degree tear can affect tissue and muscle in the vaginal area. When this happens, a mother could experience severe pain during intercourse and urinary incontinence.
If a doctor has reason to believe that a mother could suffer a serious vaginal tear during a delivery, the doctor should consider options to avoid injury to the mother. For example, suggesting a birth by cesarean section could help a mother avoid a vaginal tear.
Broken Bones
It is possible for a mother to suffer a bone fracture due to a complication with childbirth. For example, if the head of a child is too large to pass through the birth canal, a mother’s pubic symphysis could be fractured during delivery. The pubic symphysis is an area where the left and right sides of the pelvis connect. If an infant’s head is too large, this area could separate.
Infections
An infection is an issue that could affect a mother and her child. It is the obligation of the physician in charge of the pregnancy to diagnose any infections that could pass from the mother to the child. If a doctor fails to screen for infections that could be passed to a child, they could be held liable for medical malpractice.
To learn more about filing a lawsuit for medical malpractice in Maryland, continue reading and speak with an experienced Maryland medical malpractice lawyer.
When to File a Birth Injury Lawsuit in Maryland
If you or your child was injured during a delivery, you should consider filing a medical malpractice lawsuit. Medical malpractice lawsuits are subject to the statute of limitations. This means that a plaintiff only has a limited amount of time to file a particular type of case against a defendant that caused their injuries.
In Maryland, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice lawsuits is five years from the date of the injury. If a plaintiff does not file their case within this timeframe, the court may bar their claim. It is important to note that if a patient discovered the injury, they would only have three years to file their lawsuit.
While the statute of limitations for malpractice cases in Maryland is longer than many other states, a plaintiff should not waste any time in pursuing their case.
Consult with an Experienced Baltimore Birth Trauma Lawyer Today
If you or your child was injured during delivery, consult with an experienced Baltimore medical malpractice lawyer today. At Bennett & Heyman, we are prepared to provide you with the unique legal representation needed to pursue your claim. To schedule a free case evaluation, contact Bennett & Heyman at (410) 429-7856.
