The Frightening Statistics of Delivery Room Malpractice

A hospital labor and delivery room is full of emotions, from excitement, peace, and overwhelming joy to mourning. Although everyone hopes for a safe and relatively easy delivery, each experience is different.

The medical staff goes through regulated measures to prevent any foreseeable complications, including having an extensive team on-hand for emergencies. Moreover, the delivery room can become very crowded throughout the procedure. One downfall of having a large medical staff available is the higher potential for miscommunication and errors, which sometimes results in birth injuries.

You may be one of the few to meet your labor and delivery staff before the delivery of your child. If not, it may be overwhelming to look around after a contraction and see seven or more strangers watching you. At that point, there is not much time to ask for introductions and their roles. All hospitals have a unique staffing protocol; however, typically the following medical professionals are involved:

• The doctor or midwife;
• Labor and delivery nurse;
• Anesthesiologist;
• OB Technician;
• Nursery nurse;
• Neonatologist; and
• Medical students.

By definition, birth injuries are injuries experienced during the delivery of a child by either the infant or the mother. While most babies thankfully come into the world injury-free, 29 out of every 1,000 newborns do experience birth trauma. These statistics translate into approximately three infant-related birth injuries per hour.

For a new mom, injuries from giving birth—both physical and psychological—shape a significant portion of her life. Some of the more common childbirth injuries that affect the mother include:

• Vaginal tears;
• Fissures;
• Incorrect stitching; and
• Failure to manage infections such as pre-eclampsia.

Any cuts, fractures, or other injuries sustained at birth falls under the “birth trauma” category. These types of injuries occur commonly with babies with higher birth weight and are considered unavoidable by hospital policy. However, with the proper tests, preparation, and communication, at least half of all birth injuries are preventable.

Birth injuries often cost victims physical pain, mental anguish, and financial hardship for several years or more. If you or your child experienced trauma in the labor and delivery room, a San Jose, CA birth injury attorney can review your experience. If the damage was preventable, the negligent party may be financially liable for the distress caused, potentially resulting in millions of dollars in compensation. The compassionate attorneys at Corsiglia McMahon & Allard, L.L.P. understand your frustration. We provide high-quality representation and never settle for less than what you deserve. Call us today at (408) 289-1417 to schedule your free consultation.

• Labor and Delivery Staff: Who'll Be in the Room With You
• Birth Injury