The birth of a child should be a wonderful day for a family. However, if a medical practitioner failed to act appropriately when treating a child after delivery, there are a number of complications that may arise. For example, the improper administration of medication to a child could cause a variety of birth injuries. If your child was injured due to a birth complication after delivery, you should consult with an experienced Maryland attorney for birth complications caused by medication.
At Bennett & Heyman, we are pleased to offer our clients the skilled legal representation they deserve to pursue compensation from a negligent medical practitioner. We understand that the birth of your child should not be overshadowed by a doctor’s mistakes, and we are here to stand with you in your time of need. To schedule a free consultation to discuss your potential lawsuit, contact Bennett & Heyman at (410) 429-7856. You may also contact our attorneys online to schedule your free consultation.
Types of Birth Complications Caused by Medications in Maryland
When delivering a child, a doctor may prescribe a mother with one or more medications to help with the pregnancy. However, there are some circumstances where a medication could cause severe harm to a mother or her child. If you were injured due to medication prescribed during delivery, you might have a valid case against a doctor or hospital for medical malpractice. The following are medications that could lead to a birth injury.
Birth Complications Caused by Pitocin
Pitocin is a synthetic medication that is used to increase a mother’s contractions during labor. However, if a doctor administers too much Pitocin, there is a high risk that a mother’s contractions may accelerate to less than two minutes apart. This may result in hyperstimulation of the uterus, which could lead to a newborn sustaining a severe injury during delivery. For example, the rapid contractions caused by Pitocin could cause a newborn to experience hypertension, seizures, asphyxiation, and many other birth complications.
Pitocin can also cause a mother to sustain the following injuries:
- Uterine rupture
- Postpartum hemorrhaging
- Anaphylaxis
- Pelvic hematomas
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
This is not an exhaustive list. If you sustained other types of injuries due to incorrect administration of Pitocin, our firm could help you evaluate your options to seek compensation.
Birth Complications Caused by Cytotec
Cytotec, also known as misoprostol, is another drug that is used to induce labor for a pregnant woman. This drug has been linked to a number of severe and fatal injuries during pregnancy. For example, a mother that experiences birth complications from Cytotec may sustain heavy hemorrhaging or may even need to undergo a hysterectomy. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration has not approved Cytotec for use during pregnancy.
If you or your child were injured due to birth complications with Cytotec, our firm is here to fight for you. There are many other medications that could cause a mother and her newborn to experience serious birth complications. If you wish to know more about pursuing a medical malpractice claim after a drug complication, you should continue reading and speak with an experienced Maryland attorney for birth complications caused by medication errors.
Who Do You Sue for Birth Complications from Medication Errors in Maryland?
If you elected to pursue a medical malpractice claim after experiencing a birth complication due to a medication error, you should be aware of who you can hold liable for your injuries. As you might expect, the doctor that was in charge of your pregnancy could be held responsible for your birth injury.
You will need to provide evidence that shows your doctor acted negligently to be awarded compensation for your injuries. For example, if you have documentation that you received a high dose of Pitocin, which led to your hemorrhaging, this information could be vital. You may even seek help from an expert witness that is familiar with the specific field of medicine in question.
It is important to note that you may also have a valid malpractice claim against the hospital that employs the doctor under the doctrine of respondeat superior. The doctrine of respondeat superior allows a victim of an accident to hold a negligent worker’s employer vicariously liable for acts committed by the worker in the course of their employment. For example, if a doctor employed by a Maryland hospital gave you the incorrect dose of Cytotec, the hospital that employs that doctor could also be held liable. Our firm can help you determine whether a doctor can be held vicariously liable for the actions of a doctor.
Additionally, to prove negligence in a medical malpractice claim, you will have to prove the following elements:
- The doctor owed the patient a duty of care
- The doctor violated the duty of care owed to the plaintiff
- The plaintiff could pursue compensation from a court of law due to injuries or losses sustained from the doctor’s actions
If you prove these elements, you could be awarded compensatory damages.
Work with Our Experienced Maryland Lawyer for Birth Complications Caused by Medication Errors
If your newborn was a victim of medical malpractice, you should discuss your potential case with an experienced Maryland lawyer for birth complications caused by medications. The committed Baltimore birth injury attorneys at Bennett & Heyman possess a wide range of experience litigating complex birth injury claims, and we would be pleased to work with you. To schedule a free case evaluation to discuss your potential case, contact Bennett & Heyman at (410) 429-7856. You may also contact the firm online.
