OB-GYN Malpractice

The birth of a baby is one of life's most exciting and joyful events. Pregnancy and birth can be risky.

An OB-GYN malpractice lawyer can help you understand your rights and file a successful claim. You'll need to prove the following: breach, duty of duty, causation and damages.

Incorrect diagnosis or failure to diagnose

One of the most prevalent types of OB-GYN errors is the inability of a doctor in diagnosing a condition which could have serious consequences for mother and child. If a medical professional fails detect early warning signs, such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes the patient could suffer permanent damage and also financial or emotional strain.

Incorrect interpretation of diagnostic tests such as mammograms or ultrasounds is a common type of surgical malpractice. These mistakes can lead to unnecessary anxiety or make incorrect treatment decisions. In some instances the carelessness of a gynecologist may result in surgical complications and even severe injuries, such as hematomas or stroke.

Surgery errors during a hysterectomy, or a cesarean, are another common cause of OB/GYN malpractice claims. The error could be caused due to poor surgical technique, inability to properly manage postoperative care or even an incorrect interpretation of test results, this type of negligence can lead to serious injuries to the patient.

Medical malpractice cases can be a bit complicated and require the help of an experienced OB-GYN lawyer. A skilled attorney can help by analyzing medical records, identifying the liable parties, and ensuring that the claim is filed in accordance with the applicable laws.

The most commonly used legal basis for OB-GYN malpractice claims is negligence. Doctors can be held accountable for malpractice if they diverge from the standard of care a competent health professional would have provided under similar circumstances, and the deviation results in harm to the patient. Proving that an OB-GYN acted negligently in the course of their practice requires a thorough examination of medical evidence and evidence from experts. Depending on the extent of the alleged malpractice the patient could be entitled to compensation including medical bills, loss of income, emotional trauma, and punitive damages designed to retaliate against medical professionals involved for their reckless actions.

Birth Injury

When they are pregnant and giving birth, mothers are heavily dependent on the advice and treatment offered by their OB/GYN doctors. Unfortunately, unforeseen complications that arise during childbirth injury law could occur. If they do, it is possible for an obstetrician to make a mistake that results in injuries to the baby or mother. In the most serious cases the medical negligence could lead to the death of a child or mother.

Physical birth injuries can range from a small tear in the perineum to damage to the pelvic nerve system, known as pudendal nerve that causes chronic pain in the vaginal area and the rectum. The most grave physical birth injuries are spinal cord injuries. These can range from minor bruises to complete spinal cord tears. They can be caused by improper use of vacuum extractors or forceps which can cause the doctor to turn or press the head of the fetus during delivery.

Shoulder dystocia may also lead to an injury to the spine. This happens when the baby's head becomes stuck in the birth canal. Erb's palsy and brachial-plexus injuries which affect nerves in the hands and arms, are also common causes of spinal cord injury.

In addition to physical birth injury specialists injuries, it's also common for women who undergo labor and delivery to suffer emotional or psychological injuries. These types of injuries can be incredibly distressing, causing feelings of anxiety or fear, nightmares, flashbacks or trouble sleeping. Women who have suffered emotional or psychological injuries - sometimes called birth trauma - may be entitled compensation. Compensation damages can be awarded to cover medical expenses and lost wages, as well as therapy, rehabilitation and replacement services. In cases of unjustified deaths, punitive damages can be awarded as a form of punishment for the defendant and to discourage future behavior similar to the one that occurred.

Failure to perform C-Sections

In the birth room in the delivery room, an emergency C-section is often required to ensure mother and baby's safety. A fibroid blocking the birth canal or a pelvic fracture a baby who is too large to fit through the vagina or the breech position, and other serious medical issues may require an immediate C-section. Failure to perform a C-section in such circumstances could lead to severe injuries, and possibly even death.

Gynecological errors that involve surgical errors like hysterectomies and Cesarean sections are the most common cause of malpractice lawsuits against OBGYNs. The mistakes may be a result of inadequate surgical technique, insufficient planning, or failure to follow up on treatment plans. It could also be due to an inability to inform patients about the risks involved with the procedure or misinterpreting diagnostic tests.

A gynecologist or obstetrician has a responsibility to monitor a woman's health during pregnancy and in all the processes associated with caring for the fetus and the mother until the time of delivery. If they fail to adhere to this standard of care and an injury is incurred due to this, it could be considered medical malpractice.

If you believe that you or your child was injured due to an OB-GYN error it is crucial to speak with an experienced New York City OBGYN malpractice attorney as soon as possible. A dedicated birth injury lawyer can assist you in exercising your rights and receive the full amount of compensation you deserve. Contact Brown Trial Firm today to arrange a free birth injury consultation consultation. Our lawyers have years of experience in cases involving obstetrical malpractice and will fight to hold responsible parties accountable for their actions. You can rest assured that we will provide you with the most effective legal representation.

Uterine Rupture

Uterine rupture during childbirth is among the most serious complications. If doctors aren't able to quickly diagnose and birth injury claim the baby before the uterus ruptures both the mother and baby are likely to be at risk of life-threatening complications.

Doctors must be vigilant in identifying symptoms of rupture of the uterus. These include bleeding from the vaginal area, and a change to the pattern of heart tones of the fetus during labor. If any of these signs are evident, they should be prepared to perform a C-section in an emergency.

In the event of uterine rupturing the placenta or fetus may protrude from the tear. The fetus is immediately at risk of oxygen deprivation. Hypoxia can result in severe brain injuries, including hypoxic ischemic disorder (HIE) and cerebral palsy lawyer palsy. If medical professionals fail to spot the signs of uterine rupture and immediately initiate delivery the baby could suffer from hypoxia-related brain injury or even die.

The uterus may rupture spontaneously without the presence of any predisposing factors in early pregnancy. It is often difficult to recognize because the symptoms and signs are not specific and could easily be misinterpreted to mean other conditions, like abdominal pain, uterine fibroids or vaginal bleeding. Additionally, a doctor's index of suspicion for uterine rupture must be high as the outcome can be catastrophic.

It is estimated that six percent of babies don't survive uterine rupture. The chances of survival increase dramatically when the uterus is discovered and delivered within 30 minutes. Obstetricians must take note of the patient's medical history and closely observe her.

Birth Defects

In the United States, approximately 1 in 33 babies is born with a congenital defect. These can be minor or severe and impact the appearance, organ function and mental and physical development of the baby. If not treated in utero they can cause serious health complications or even death. Many types of birth defects can be detected by using high-resolution ultrasounds during pregnancy, while more in-depth testing options like amniocentesis (taking samples of amniotic fluid) and blood tests may also be available to detect certain conditions.

Certain birth defects, such as Cleft palates or cleft lips are easily detected when the baby is born. Other conditions, like scoliosis and learning disabilities, might not be identified until later in life or after adulthood. Some of these issues can be treated through surgery, including cleft lip and palate repairs, while others may require ongoing treatment, like speech therapy or dental care.

While most birth defects are not preventable by taking a prenatal vitamin that contains folate, iodine and iron may reduce the risk of some congenital diseases. Smoking and illicit drug use increase the likelihood of certain genetic abnormalities. Genetic counselors can help with screening to determine the chance of a particular condition reoccurring.

A specific OB-GYN's actions or omissions in a pregnancy and childbirth can constitute negligence if they fall short of the standard of care that other OB/GYNs would provide under similar circumstances. To prove that obstetrical negligence has occurred, you must demonstrate that the doctor did not follow standard care and that this deviation caused injury or harm to the mother or child.