Alleged malpractice leads to birth injury in newborn

Out of all the different types of medical malpractice claims, those involving a birth injury are often the most tragic. Most injured individuals in Maryland find a way to overcome their injuries that they themselves suffer, but when it happens to a child, it can be much more difficult. If a child suffers a birth injury during the childbirth process, it can place a tragic tone on an otherwise very positive experience.

An out-of-state resident accused a midwife, who was a certified nurse, of negligence which allegedly caused the woman’s child to suffer a birth injury. According to the lawsuit, the healthcare providers did not properly manage the birthing process of what what considered a high risk pregnancy. The midwife is accused of several omissions and transgressions during the time of the woman’s delivery, which were allegedly below medical standards.

According to details of the suit, the transgressions began when the nurse failed to make a fetal weight estimation. Then, according to the delivery record, the baby suffered from shoulder dystocia, which is considered a medical emergency. Though the baby was eventually delivered, it suffered facial bruising, limited movement of its right arm, no movement of the other arm, and overriding sutures. A follow up examination concluded that the baby’s brachial plexus nerves, which control the hands’ movements, had been injured during the delivery.

When a birth injury occurs, the effects on the child can be long lasting. When shoulder injuries, including shoulder dystocia, occur, it often results in Erb’s palsy or other serious longer-term complications involved with shoulder injuries as well as other related problems. If an individual in Maryland believes there may have been an error in the birthing process that resulted in injury to the baby, an experienced personal injury attorney is often contacted to establish whether or not a valid claim exists.

Source: injury-lawyernews.com, “Malpractice Alleged in Brachial Plexus Injury Lawsuit“, Ava Lawson, July 10, 2015