Ohio Labor and Delivery Injury Attorneys

If medical professionals fail to act when problems arise during labor and delivery, the results could be deadly

The birth injury attorneys at The Eisen Law Firm are experienced in a variety of claims, including those that involve labor and delivery complications. Although many parents are able to pack up and head home a couple of days after their babies are born, this is not necessarily the case for parents whose babies have experienced traumatic deliveries. Many labor and delivery problems develop due to medical negligence. In these cases, it may be possible to file a birth negligence lawsuit.

The most common labor and delivery complications

There are a number of complications that may occur during labor and delivery. Some of the most common ones include:

• Labor does not progress: In some cases, contractions slow down, the baby has a difficult time moving through the birth canal, or the cervix does not open enough to allow labor to continue. It is often necessary to intervene in these cases, and in dangerous situations, it may be necessary to deliver the baby via C-section.

• The baby’s heart rate changes: Some changes in the baby’s heart rate may be corrected with simple solutions, such as asking the mother to change her position. However, if the baby’s heart rate suddenly drops, it may indicate a lack of oxygen and immediate intervention may be necessary. If immediate action is not taken, the baby’s life could be in jeopardy.

• Umbilical cord problems: The umbilical cord delivers oxygen and essential nutrients to the baby. If the umbilical cord becomes bent or twisted, the baby may not receive enough oxygen. Brain damage and other serious harm could occur if the issue is not promptly corrected.

• Asphyxia: With asphyxia, the baby does not get enough oxygen during labor, delivery, or shortly after birth. A baby that loses oxygen for only a few moments may not suffer any long-term effects; a baby deprived of oxygen for much longer may have brain damage.

• Bleeding: Although some bleeding is common in labor and delivery, excessive bleeding could actually lead to maternal death or to lack of sufficient blood to the baby’s brain.

• Shoulder dystocia: Shoulder dystocia occurs when the baby’s shoulders become stuck in the birth canal. Nerve damage and other complications may result if the baby is pulled or twisted in an attempt to deliver it.

If medical professionals fail to recognize complications during labor and delivery and therefore fail to administer treatment in a timely manner, the mother and baby may be seriously injured.

Proving a birth injury claim

Birth injury claims require that victims show the following:

• The at-fault medical professional or medical facility owed the victim a duty;

• The duty was breached when the medical professional or medical facility was negligent; and

• Due to this breach, the victim suffered damages.

Each of these elements must be proven for a victim to prevail in a birth injury claim. Because these claims are so complex, it is best to hire an experienced birth injury attorney as soon as possible.

Our Ohio medical malpractice attorneys are experienced in all types of birth injury claims

At The Eisen Law Firm, our attorneys focus solely on medical malpractice and birth injury claims. We advocate for babies and mothers who suffered injuries during labor and delivery due to medical negligence. We are proud to serve families throughout Ohio. In fact, The Eisen Law Firm has handled cases involving errors during the delivery stage and has recently settled a case for a confidential settlement. To schedule a free consultation with our firm, call 216-687-0900 or contact us online.