If you are nearing the due date for your pregnancy, you may have discussed the possibility of having a C-section with your doctor. C-sections are used for a number of reasons. For example, a C-section may be necessary to ensure the safety of a newborn child or a mother. However, if a physician does not perform a C-section correctly, they can cause a child and a mother serious harm. If you or your child was injured during a C-section procedure, contact an experienced Baltimore medical malpractice attorney for C-section injuries.
At Bennett & Heyman, P.A., we are prepared to help you pursue compensation for an injury suffered due to the negligence of your pregnancy physician. The birth of a child is not a day that should be marred by a mistake that could have been avoided. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your claim, contact Bennett & Heyman, P.A. at (410) 429-7856, or contact us online.
Common Injuries Caused by C-Sections
A cesarean section, or C-section, is a procedure where a doctor makes an incision in a mother’s abdominal wall and uterus in order to extract an infant from the womb. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), about 1 in every 4 women will birth a child by way of a C-section. With a large number of women having C-sections, it is important that doctors understand to exercise extreme care when performing a C-section.
There are a number of circumstances where a mother should consider having a C-section. For example, if a mother is pregnant with twins and one twin is in an unnatural position that will make delivery difficult, it may be wise to have a C-section. Other circumstances that could result in a mother needing a C-section include:
- Stalled labor
- Ruptured uterus
- Infant in distress
- Preeclampsia
- Diabetes
- Umbilical cord prolapse
This is not an exhaustive list; there are many other reasons why a C-section may be needed for a mother.
Birth Injuries Caused by C-Sections
If a C-section is performed incorrectly, the child inside the womb can be severely injured. One possibility is that a child is injured when a doctor is making the incision for the C-section. This typically happens if the doctor is not aware of the child’s location when making the incision or if the doctor makes the incision too deep into the womb.
The American Pregnancy Association estimates that about 1 in every 100 children birthed by C-section suffer a laceration due to an improper C-section. Fetal lacerations can cause an infant to develop other health issues like Erb’s palsy, bone fractures, and other complications.
Your child could also be seriously injured if a C-section is performed before the child is ready to be born. The doctor in charge of your pregnancy should be aware of the gestational age of your child when performing a C-section. Failure to know the gestational age of the child could make them liable for injuries to your child when performing a C-section. A low birth weight is just one complication that can be caused by having a C-section too soon.
Another possible issue is that your child receives a low APGAR score after a C-section. The APGAR test is used to analyze the baby’s respiration, heart rate, reflexes, and various other health matters. If a child has low APGAR scores, this could signify that the child was injured when the C-section was performed.
It is also important to note that a mother may also be subject to a number of injuries due to a C-section. For example, the mother could have injuries to her organs or possibly suffer from hemorrhaging if the delivering physician did not make a proper incision.
If you believe that your doctor committed medical malpractice while performing your C-section, you should consider filing a lawsuit. Bennett & Heyman, P.A. have tons of experience helping families in Baltimore and across Maryland hold negligent doctors and hospitals accountable. The birth of a child is a joyous event, and you should not have to worry that your child suffered a serious injury because of the actions of a doctor you trusted.
Contact Our Experienced Baltimore Birth Injury Lawyers Today
If you or a family member was seriously injured during a C-section procedure, contact an experienced Baltimore birth injury lawyer today. At Bennett & Heyman, P.A., our personal injury attorneys possess over 70 years of combined legal experience, and we would be honored to use this experience to represent you. You and your child do not deserve to suffer due to the carelessness of a physician that you trusted with your pregnancy. To schedule a free legal consultation, contact Bennett & Heyman, P.A. at (410) 429-7856, or contact us online.
