C-Section Mistakes
If your child has been diagnosed with birth injuries as a result of C-section mistakes, you can turn to a Los Angeles birth injury attorney of Ellis Law for help. We understand the emotional devastation caused by discovering your child has a serious medical condition. We know that as parents, you were eagerly anticipating welcoming your child into the world and bringing him or her home with you, safe and sound. But now, the careless mistakes or negligence on the part of healthcare professionals in the delivery room have inflicted grave injuries upon your precious little one.
LA birth injury lawyers at Ellis Law can help
You can hold these negligent medical professionals responsible for their errors by filing a lawsuit in Los Angeles or elsewhere in California. Ellis Law will walk you through every step of the process, explaining your legal rights and options thoroughly and fighting for justice on your behalf.
Our premier team of legal investigators, medical experts, and litigators work closely to build the strongest possible case on your behalf. Our experience in litigating cases involving C-section mistakes will empower you to make an informed decision and take action for the sake of your child. There’s no obligation in scheduling your free case review. Simply pick up the phone and ask us any questions you may have about the merits of your case and about working with a personal injury attorney at Ellis Law.
When should a C-section be performed?
Some women know in advance that they’re going to have a C-section.
A planned C-section may be recommended for the following reasons:
- Breech position: The fetus is in an improper position in the womb. An improper position is any position that is not head-down.
- Decreased blood supply: If the placenta does not receive sufficient blood, the baby may have a small size.
- Maternal condition: Any medical condition of the mother, such as heart disease, that may make labor and delivery dangerous.
- Maternal HIV infection: This may be transmitted to the baby via vaginal birth.
- Multiple pregnancy: Being pregnant with two or more babies that also show signs of potential problems, such as improper positioning, conjoined twins, or an overstretched uterus.
- Other health problem: Any known health problem with the baby that may lead to a complicated labor, such as spina bifida.
At other times, a C-section is performed unexpectedly and on an emergency basis, such as when the baby shows signs of fetal distress. When an emergency C-section is called for, it is critical that medical professionals respond promptly and perform the procedure as soon as possible.
An emergency C-section may be necessary in cases of:
- Umbilical cord problems: These problems can reduce or eliminate blood supply to the fetus.
- Placenta abrupto: A condition in which the baby suffers from decreased oxygen supply and there is the potential for excessive bleeding.
- Fetal distress: The fetal heart rate is monitored throughout the labor. If the fetus shows signs of a very rapid or very slow heartbeat, it is known as fetal distress.
- Prolonged labor: Sometimes, the progression of the labor becomes very slow or stops completely. This places undue stress on the fetus and can lead to severe complications.
Common C-section mistakes
Although a C-section is considered a routine medical procedure, there are many factors that can go terribly wrong. The medical experts and birth injury lawyers at Ellis Law will scour your medical records to determine which healthcare professionals in California committed grave medical mistakes that could have resulted in your child’s birth injuries.
The following are common types of C-section mistakes:
- Delayed emergency C-section: When an emergency C-section is indicated, the attending healthcare professionals must react immediately to prepare for and perform the procedure. Since an emergency C-section is typically indicated with the fetus displays distress or other complications arise, delaying this procedure can result in serious birth injuries. For example, the baby may become deprived of oxygen, which can cause permanent brain damage or death.
- Failure to have the necessary equipment and personnel: If the mother has a potentially high-risk pregnancy, the hospital should have personnel on standby and all the equipment necessary to perform a C-section in the delivery room. This minimizes the risk of a delay in performing the procedure.
- Mistakes made during the procedure: As with a vaginal birth, there is the possibility that the fetus will suffer from injury or trauma during delivery via C-section. This can occur if the physician improperly performed the procedure, improperly used surgical equipment, breached hospital protocol, or otherwise mishandled the proceedings.
Types of birth injuries caused by C-section mistakes
The most devastating consequence of a C-section is the death of the infant. At Ellis Law, our birth injury lawyers extend our deepest sympathies to parents suffering the loss of their child. We also understand the depth of emotional trauma that can result when C-section mistakes have resulted in serious or even permanent disability.
Birth injuries that can be caused by C-section mistakes include:
- Brain damage
- Cerebral palsy
- Organ perforation
- Bone fracture
- HIE
- Stillbirth
Determining liability and compensation
When you partner with Ellis Law to hold negligent medical professionals responsible for their actions, you’ll have access to extensive resources. Our experienced team of investigators will thoroughly examine your medical records, such as the fetal heartbeat monitor records, the hospital’s protocols, and similar documents to determine which parties are at fault for your child’s birth injuries. We may find that the physician and/or attending nurses are at fault, or that the hospital itself can be held liable for failure to properly train their staff and provide the necessary equipment.
Families in the L.A. area and throughout California may be entitled to receive compensation.
While no amount of money can correct your child’s injuries, compensation may be available for:
- Past and future medical bills
- Rehabilitative expenses
- Pharmaceutical expenses
- Special education needs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Punitive damages for wrongful death
Birth injury attorneys at Ellis Law are on your side
Welcoming your child into the world should be a time of immense joy. New parents who have watched their little one suffer from birth injuries and those who have suffered the unspeakable loss of their child can hold negligent healthcare professionals accountable for their actions.
Ellis Law serves families throughout California with our extensive network of resources and expert birth injury litigators. To learn about your legal rights and options, call Ellis Law today at 310-641-3335 and request a free case review with no obligation.