When a mother is preparing for the birth of her child, she likely does not expect that the doctor in charge of her pregnancy will act negligently and cause her a serious injury. Unfortunately, many mothers across Philadelphia suffer serious maternal injuries every year. However, a mother may have a valid legal claim against the doctor that caused her injuries. If you were injured while giving birth, you should consult with an experienced Philadelphia birth injury lawyer today.
At the Reiff Law Firm, we have an unwavering commitment to ensuring our clients receive the aggressive legal representation needed to pursue a medical malpractice claim. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your claim, contact the Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940, or contact us online.
Common Maternal Birth Injuries in Philadelphia, PA
A maternal birth injury can cause a mother to develop a number of medical issues. A doctor in charge of a pregnancy should ensure they constantly monitor the health of the mother and the child. Failure to do so could result in a mother suffering an injury that could have been avoidable. In other cases, a mother could be injured during the delivery process due to medical negligence.
The following is a list of common maternal birth injuries that could lead to a valid medical malpractice lawsuit.
Maternal Hemorrhaging
When giving birth, a mother is likely to lose some amount of blood during the delivery. However, this hemorrhaging can be made worse if a doctor acts negligently while delivering the child.
For example, to speed up a mother’s contractions and decrease the amount of time a mother is in labor, a doctor may administer Pitocin to a mother. However, the incorrect administration of Pitocin could result in a mother suffering a hemorrhage due to violent contractions and other related issues.
There are other ways that a mother could suffer hemorrhaging. For instance, if a doctor elects to use birth-assisting instruments like forceps or vacuum extractors to pull a baby from the birth canal, the use of excessive force when using these tools could cause a mother to hemorrhage.
Improper Cesarean Section
If a doctor believes the delivery of a child will be too dangerous for a mother, suggesting a cesarean section may be a safer choice. However, if a doctor does not exercise caution, when performing a cesarean section, there is a risk of injuring the mother. For instance, if a doctor fails to make a proper incision when performing a cesarean section, the doctor could cause damage to a mother’s organs or nerves.
Infections
As mentioned, a doctor should monitor the health of a mother and her child during the course of her pregnancy. One important reason for this is to ensure that the mother does not contract an infection that can harm her or her child. Failure to diagnose an infection could lead to a doctor being held liable for a mother’s injuries.
There are many other maternal birth injuries that a mother could suffer due to medical negligence. If you wish to learn more about filing a lawsuit for a maternal birth injury, you should continue reading and speak with an experienced Philadelphia maternal birth injury attorney.
Proving a Medical Negligence Claim for a Maternal Birth Injury
To prove that a doctor committed medical negligence, there are several elements that must be proven by a claimant. It is not enough to claim that a doctor did not provide a patient with impeccable care; a claimant must show that the doctor’s actions violated the standard of care. Specifically, the claimant must prove the following elements to prevail in their lawsuit:
- A medical practitioner owed the patient a duty of care
- The doctor breached their duty of care
- The breach of care is the cause of the patient’s injury
- The patient suffered an injury that can be compensated by a court of law
It is important to note that when proving a medical malpractice claim, the medical practitioner is held up to a standard of care that is common among their particular specialization. This means that minor injuries or other issues caused by improper medical care may not be enough to prove a malpractice claim.
Work with Our Experienced Philadelphia Attorneys for Birth Injuries to the Mother
If you or a family member was the victim of a maternal birth injury, consult with an experienced Philadelphia birth injury attorney today. The devoted medical malpractice lawyers at the Reiff Law Firm possess decades of combined legal experience litigating a variety of complex claims, and we are ready to fight for you. To schedule a free case evaluation, contact the Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940.
