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If you or your child was injured during delivery, you may have a cause of action against your physician. At The Queenan Law Firm, P.C., we understand how stressful dealing with an injury can be, especially when it involves your newborn. That is why we dedicate our efforts to providing you with strategic, aggressive legal representation.
Call our law offices today for a free, confidential consultation with our Dallas lawyer for birth injuries caused by forceps on your case. Our phone number is (817) 476-1797.
Common Injuries Caused by Forceps in Dallas, Texas
Giving birth to your child should be a happy, joyous moment. The last thing you would want is to put your baby at risk of suffering from an injury. Unfortunately, many healthcare professionals act negligently, which in turn can lead to severe injuries for their patients. Medical negligence or malpractice has been responsible for thousands of injuries and death in the United States. This may come as a surprise for many people since everyone expects to be taken care of instead of being at risk of facing an injury or death.
For many babies, medical negligence can mean long-lasting injuries. This is what happens in cases of birth injuries. More specifically, many birth injuries can be associated with the use of a medical device known as forceps. Forceps are stainless-steel, tong-shaped instruments used during childbirth to facilitate delivery. The forceps are wrapped around the baby’s head, which allows the physician to pull the baby through the birth canal.
If a doctor exerts too much pressure on the baby’s head, they risk putting the child’s life in danger. Pulling too firmly during childbirth can cause serious injuries to a baby. Some of the most common types of injuries caused by forceps include:
Bruising
Bruising or contusions can be discomforting to the baby. A baby can suffer from three different types of bruising, each of which affects a separate layer of the baby’s skin, muscle, and other tissues. Periosteal or bone contusions are the more dangerous of all. A broken bone injury during childbirth can affect the baby’s life forever.
Nerve Damage
It is possible for a doctor to apply the use of forceps and inadvertently lacerate facial nerves. Some of these nerves are in charge of things like laughter, closing the mouth, and speaking correctly, among other facial expressions. An interruption in the natural flow of a facial nerve can result in facial issues. There may be babies who can recover from a facial injury over time. However, not every baby has the same luck, and some people may suffer from different facial conditions throughout their entire lives.
Permanent Brain Damage
One of the most dangerous risks a baby can face when a doctor uses forces during delivery is permanent brain damage. As mentioned before, exerting too much pressure on a baby’s head during birth can be dangerous. For instance, the improper use of forceps can lead to what is known as a traumatic brain injury (TBI). A TBI at such a young age can lead to brain development complications.
You may feel overwhelmed and betrayed by those who swore to take good care of you. At The Queenan Law Firm, P.C., we understand how difficult this moment can be for you and your loved ones. That is why we help our clients hold the liable parties accountable for their losses.
Filing a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit for Birth Injuries Caused by Forceps
If you or your baby were injured during childbirth in Dallas, there may be a thousand questions swirling in your head. Fortunately, you can hold the liable parties accountable for your losses. You may be able to recover compensation through a medical malpractice claim. This type of claim stems from personal injury law, and it exists to provide injured patients with a way to bring wrongdoers to justice.
However, recovering compensation for medical malpractice in Dallas, Texas requires the victim to prove their case with the court. Establishing your case with the court requires you, as the plaintiff, to show that your doctor was negligent. Negligence in medical malpractice lawsuits can be proven by demonstrating a doctor-patient relationship existed at the moment the injury was done. This can be shown by providing evidence such as medical records, hospital bills, and other documentation linked to your pregnancy and your doctor.
Once the professional relationship between you and your doctor has been established, you will need to establish that your doctor did not adhere to the medical standard of care expected from him or her. In other words, you will need to show your doctor did not act as a prudent, reasonable medical professional. This has to do with your doctor’s duty of care.
You will then need to show your doctor breached their duty of care, caused your injuries, and ultimately led you to suffer losses. Once you have established the existence of these elements, the court can grant you compensation for things such as medical bills and pain and suffering.
Attorney for Birth Injuries Caused by Forceps in Dallas, TX
If your baby was injured by a negligent, careless, or reckless physician, our skilled Dallas birth injury attorneys can help you. Thanks to our many years of hands-on experience, we can provide you with high-quality legal representation and get the compensation you deserve. Call The Queenan Law Firm, P.C., for a free, confidential consultation today by dialing (817) 476-1797.