Was Your Child’s Birth Injury the Result of Medical Malpractice?

Was Your Child’s Birth Injury the Result of Medical Malpractice? While modern medicine has made labor and delivery significantly safer than it was in the past, the negligence of medical professionals can still cause birth injuries that can cause serious medical problems in infants. In some cases, these mistakes can result in disabilities and other issues that may affect a person for the rest of his or her life. Medical malpractice is a type of professional negligence that is actionable under Illinois law.¹ Here are some of the examples of the kinds of medical malpractice that can lead to birth injuries. For more information, call our office today to discuss your case.

Failure to Monitor Fetal Vital Signs

One of the most dangerous types of medical malpractice is the failure to monitor fetal vital signs during labor. In some cases, complications in the delivery process can result in the baby not getting enough oxygen, which can lead to brain damage and conditions such as cerebral palsy. Generally speaking, if fetal vital signs are monitored closely, these kinds of issues can be identified and addressed before serious injury occurs.

Misuse of Forceps or Vacuums

Forceps and vacuum extraction are often used during delivery. When they are used improperly, it can result in significant physical injury to the infant. Some of the complications associated with the misuse of these devices include facial injuries, brain damages, intracranial hemorrhage, skull fractures, and other serious injuries.

Failure to Diagnose a Medical Condition in the Mother

Sometimes, birth injuries occur long before the process of delivery begins. Doctors providing prenatal care have a duty to monitor the health condition of the mother, and failing to adequately do so can result in serious birth injuries. Examples of specific instances of medical malpractice that can result in a failure to diagnose a health condition in a pregnant woman include:

• Failure to obtain a full and comprehensive medical history
• Failure to conduct standard diagnostic tests
• Failure to recognize the signs of infection
• Failure to detect gestational diabetes
• Failure to detect and diagnose breech
• Failure to identify maternal preeclampsia²

Call Abels & Annes, P.C. Today to Speak with a Chicago Birth Injury Lawyer

Birth injuries caused by the negligence of medical professional can have a profound and long-lasting impact on the quality of your child’s life. For his reason, it is important to speak with an attorney and determine whether you or your child can recover compensation. To schedule a free case evaluation with a Chicago birth injury attorney, call Abels & Annes, P.C. today at 312-924-7575 or contact us online.