When a child is injured during delivery, it can be a traumatic experience for a family. We often expect that a doctor and other members of the medical staff will act responsibly when delivering a child. Unfortunately, some doctors may cause a newborn a severe injury during a delivery, like when using a vacuum extractor to deliver the child. If your child was injured during delivery to incorrect use of a vacuum extractor, you should consult with an experienced Maryland attorney for vacuum extraction injuries during childbirth.
At Bennett & Heyman, we are committed to fighting for children that are injured due to the negligence of a medical practitioner. The birth of a child should be a joyous day for a family, not one that is remembered by the terrible mistake made by a doctor. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss the injury of your newborn, you should contact Bennett & Heyman at (410) 429-7856. You may also contact the firm online to schedule your consultation.
When Vacuum Extraction Is Used for Child Deliveries in Maryland
If a mother is having difficulty with the delivery of a child, a doctor may employ the use of a vacuum extractor to help pull the child from the birth canal. A vacuum extractor is a medical device that consists of a cup that is attached to a handle and a pump. This device is attached to the head of an infant in order to help pull them from the womb.
Normally, a doctor will employ the use of a vacuum extractor in certain circumstances:
- The mother has a prolonged labor, and the child has not progressed for an extended period of time
- The infant’s heartbeat or other circumstances may indicate that the child is in distress
- The mother has a health condition that makes the delivery dangerous
To learn more about the risks of using vacuum extractions for child deliveries, you should continue reading and speak with an experienced Baltimore birth injury attorney.
What are the Risks of Vacuum Extraction Injuries during Childbirth?
While vacuum extraction can aid a doctor in delivering a child, there are also a number of risks that are associated with the use of a vacuum extractor. If a doctor does not consider the risks of using a vacuum extractor or if they use the device incorrectly, they could be held liable if they cause the child to sustain an injury.
One common concern when using a vacuum extractor is that the doctor may use excessive force. The skull of an infant is very soft and easy to injure shortly after birth, which is why a doctor should be careful when attaching a vacuum extractor to the child’s head. Unfortunately, some doctors may use too much force when extracting a newborn from the womb. This could result in severe head injuries like brain damage, cerebral palsy, or other types of injuries.
The following are risks that a doctor should consider before using a vacuum extractor to deliver an infant:
- Whether the mother’s pregnancy has advanced past 34 weeks
- Whether the infant has a condition like hemophilia that could make vacuum extraction dangerous
- The baby is born in breech presentation (feet first)
- The child cannot safely fit through the bones of the mother’s pelvis, also known as cephalopelvic disproportion
- The baby has not advanced far enough down the birth canal to use a vacuum extractor
This is not an exhaustive list. If your doctor does not appreciate any of the above risks or does not warn a mother of the risks of vacuum extraction, they could be held liable for medical malpractice.
Our firm can help you pursue a medical malpractice or birth injury lawsuit in Maryland against a doctor or hospital that is responsible for your child’s injuries.
When to File a Lawsuit in Maryland for Vacuum Extraction Injuries
Our firm understands the trauma of learning that your child was injured at birth, and we are here for you. If your newborn was injured due to a doctor misusing a vacuum extractor, we could help you timely file your medical malpractice lawsuit in Maryland.
If you are not familiar with the statute of limitations for civil cases, you should know that it limits the amount of time that a person has to file a certain type of lawsuit. The timeframe provided can change depending on the facts of your case. If you do not file your case on time, you risk the possibility of losing the opportunity to recover damages for your child’s injuries.
In Maryland, the statute of limitations for a medical malpractice lawsuit is five years from the date of the injury. Alternatively, if you did not discover your injuries until a later date, you will have three years to file your case.
It is important to note that the statute of limitations may not begin to run for a person that experienced medical malpractice as a minor until they reach the age of majority. Parents of an injured child can file a lawsuit on their behalf.
Work with an Experienced Maryland Lawyer for Vacuum Extraction Injuries During Childbirth
If your child was severely injured due to medical negligence, you should contact an experienced Maryland vacuum extraction injury lawyer. At Bennett & Heyman, our legal team has worked on a plethora of birth injury cases, and we are prepared to use our extensive experience to help you seek the compensation you deserve. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss the details of your case, contact Bennett & Heyman at (410) 429-7856. You may also contact the firm online.
