Washington DC Obstetrical Malpractice Attorney
The birth of a child is supposed to a time of joy. But it can also be time of tragedy. Sometimes, things go wrong during a pregnancy or complications arise during labor and delivery. Sometimes, mistakes are made by the obstetricians, gynecologists, nurses, or delivery room staff who are responsible for protecting the health and well-being of a mother and her child.
Acts of obstetrical malpractice can have catastrophic results; children can be left with severe birth injuries that have life-long effects, mothers can suffer from serious injuries and other health problems, and in the worst cases, a mother can lose her child and a baby could be left without his or her mom. At the Rich Firm, PC, we know all too well how obstetrical malpractice can leave families reeling.
Our experienced Washington DC birth injury lawyers work with families who are facing the challenges that follow after a birth injury or other health problem caused by obstetrical malpractice. We work tirelessly to get our clients the compensation they deserve and the resources they need to move forward.
What Kind of Birth Injuries Are Caused by Obstetrical Malpractice?
If your baby suffered injuries during labor and delivery, you may not know it until weeks, months, or even years later. Many birth injuries don’t make themselves known immediately. But then you notice that your child is having physical problems, developmental delays, or learning disabilities. All of these can be a result of mistakes that were made by your doctors during your pregnancy or while you were delivering your baby.
Many acts of obstetrical malpractice result in the baby being deprived of oxygen. Fetal oxygen deprivation is associated with severe birth injuries including brain damage, learning and developmental disabilities, heart rate abnormalities, retinal hemorrhages, cerebral palsy, shoulder dystocia, seizures, and even death.
Other birth injuries and injuries to the mother that can be the direct result of obstetrical mistakes include:
Placental Abruption- Hypoxia
- Anoxic Brain Injury
- Neonatal and Postnatal Infections
- Bone fractures
- Damage to reproductive organs/fertility loss
- Post-partum hemorrhage
- Vaginal tears
What Kinds of Mistakes Can Be Obstetrical Malpractice?
The errors and mistakes that can cause birth injuries and be the basis of an obstetrical malpractice claim can happen before, during, and after the delivery of a child. Some mistakes involve doctors not being aware of problems that they should have known about and then failing to take the immediate actions necessary to protect the health of the mother and child. Other mistakes involve making uninformed or incorrect decisions that should not have been made if the doctors and staff had followed the appropriate standard of care. Improper use of medication or instruments can also cause serious harm to and lead to serious birth injuries.
Some of the most common acts of obstetrical malpractice include:
- Failure to recognize and respond to fetal distress
- Failure to recognize and address preeclampsia
- Fetal heart rate monitoring errors
- Labor induction and Pitocin errors
- Failure to conduct an emergency C-section
- Misuse of forceps
- Misuse of vacuum extractor
- Failure to Treat Meningitis
- Improper prescription or administration of medication
- Failure to prevent and treat neonatal and postnatal infections
- Failure to address prolonged labor
Washington DC Obstetrical Malpractice Lawyer at The Rich Firm, PC Can Help
When doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals are negligent during childbirth, the tragic consequences can last a lifetime. Families can be shattered and left with life-long burdens, costs, and challenges. The Rich Firm, PC, birth injury attorneys serving Washington DC, is committed to getting justice and compensation for such families, and has a long track record of success obtaining damages for victims of obstetrical malpractice. Several of our attorneys are also medical doctors who can in many cases very quickly evaluate whether your doctor was negligent, saving you the months and expenses normally associated with expert review of your case.
For experienced and aggressive legal representation in the Maryland, Virginia, or Washington DC areas, please give our Washington DC birth injury lawyers a call at 888-RICH-LAW (742-4529) to set up your free consultation or contact us online. We look forward to assisting you.
