Birth injuries occur in a variety of contexts and can implicate a variety of causes. While sometimes an injury is an unavoidable complication of childbirth, there are many injuries that can be traced to errors by an obstetrician or neonatologist. For instance, if a child in utero is deprived of oxygen, fetal monitoring will detect changes in the baby’s heart rate. These changes may require the urgent delivery of the baby by cesarean section. If a physician fails to appreciate the changes shown on the fetal monitor, or if the physician delays in performing a cesarean section delivery, serious neurologic injuries, cerebral palsy, organ failure, or death can result.

Sometimes mistakes made during the delivery of a baby can cause serious neurologic problems, such as Erb’s palsy. If the nerves in the baby’s arm are stretched or pulled, the baby can be left with a life altering loss of motor function in the arm and/or hand.

If a mother-to-be’s own medical problems are not properly addressed during pregnancy, the baby’s health can be endangered. Common health problems, such as maternal diabetes or herpes simplex, improperly managed by an obstetrician can have catastrophic consequences for an unborn child.

Obstetric and Neonatal Malpractice

Slade McLaughlin and Paul Lauricella have represented victims of obstetric and neonatal malpractice who have sustained brain damage, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, seizures, Group B strep infections, injuries from vacuum or forcep use, nerve injuries, and paralysis. We have represented claimants in cases involving delayed cesarean section delivery, incompetent cervix, prolapsed umbilical cord, breech birth, premature labor, bleeding into the brain, twin-to-twin transfusion, gestational diabetes, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), herpes encephalopathy, placental abruption, post-partum bleeding, retained placenta infections, Pitocin induced injuries, mismanaged pregnancy induced high blood pressure, preeclampsia, toxemia, and inadequate neonatal resuscitation.

If you suspect that your child has sustained injuries may have been caused by medical malpractice, you should consult with an attorney who can have your records reviewed. Slade McLaughlin and Paul Lauricella have decades of experience handling cases such as these, and can counsel you with respect to your options.