The labor and delivery process is miraculous – and dangerous. Although many families give birth to healthy infants, others may experience complications that lead to injury. Medical advances have reduced the risk of these complications. However, in some cases these advances can be the reason for the injury.
One example involves the use of forceps.
What is a forceps assisted delivery? The medical experts at Mayo Clinic explain. Forceps are used to assist in delivery when the labor is not progressing or the safety of the baby is jeopardized. The process involves the use of an instrument that resembles two large spoons. The spoon shaped portions are placed around the infant’s head to guide the child as it emerges from the mother.
What kinds of injuries are associated with the use of forceps? Proper use of this tool can help better ensure mother and child are safe during the delivery process, but improper use can result in serious injury to all involved. The mother can experience anemia, injuries to the bladder and uterine rupture. The infant could suffer from eye trauma, brain injury, skull fractures and seizures.
Do victims of forceps assisted delivery injuries have legal recourse? Those who find themselves the victim of birth injury after the use of a forceps assisted delivery should keep two things in mind:
- Legal remedies are available. Those who experience serious injuries during the labor and delivery of a child to themselves or the child can hold those who’s negligent or reckless action contributed to the injury legally accountable for their actions or failure to act.
- Liability is complicated. Determining who to hold liable is not always clear. In some cases, it is best to hold the physician liable, in others the hospital or medical center. Still others will involve a combination of multiple parties.
Ultimately, it is wise for those who are the victims of a birth injury to seek legal counsel to better ensure that they receive the compensation needed for all past and future expenses resulting from this injury.