Birth Injuries Caused by Oxygen Deprivation
The birth of a child is supposed to be a joyous occasion, but it can quickly become a nightmare if there is a birth injury or any risk of harm to the baby. Medical professionals handling labor and delivery should be prudent and attentive to every detail of this process. One key component is ensuring that the baby has an adequate oxygen supply throughout labor and delivery. If your child suffered a placental abruption or umbilical cord compression, resulting in oxygen deprivation, the Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers at Lebowitz & Mzhen can guide you. We are dedicated to holding negligent health care providers accountable for the harm that they cause. Our attorneys represent people throughout Maryland and in Washington, D.C.
Seeking Compensation for a Birth Injury Caused by Oxygen DeprivationTwo potential sources of oxygen deprivation during the childbirth process are a placental abruption and umbilical cord compression. A placental abruption occurs when the placenta pulls away from the uterine wall before the delivery of a baby. The situation can be dangerous for both the mother and child. The mother can hemorrhage and lose excessive blood. For the child, it can cause fetal distress and lack of oxygen, which can ultimately lead to brain damage and even death. A placental abruption is a medical emergency that requires immediate delivery, usually in the form of a Cesearean section. Failing to promptly conduct a Ceasarean section can cause permanent harm to a child.
The umbilical cord is vital to a baby. It carries blood that has oxygen and nutrients to the baby from the mother through the placenta. Umbilical cord compression occurs when a baby’s umbilical cord is flattened by pressure. Any such change to the baby’s umbilical cord can result in loss of oxygen and brain damage, which may prove fatal. Other dangers associated with umbilical cord compression include fetal heart abnormalities and poor physical development.
If a doctor failed to correctly diagnose or treat a placental abruption or umbilical cord compression, and your baby was harmed as a result, you may be able to take legal action against the at-fault physician under the theory of negligence. This arises when a medical professional fails to exercise the appropriate level of care under the circumstances. In order to establish medical negligence, the plaintiff must show the following elements:
- The doctor had a duty to adhere to the standard of care typically used in that specialty when treating a similarly situated patient;
- The doctor breached this duty by violating the accepted standard of care;
- The patient suffered harm as a direct result of the doctor’s breach; and
- The plaintiff incurred quantifiable damages.
It is important to note that medical negligence claims also have certain procedural requirements that must be followed. In Maryland, the Health Care Malpractice Claims statute requires that before filing a lawsuit, a prospective plaintiff must first file with the Director of the Maryland Health Care Alternative Dispute Resolution Office. Statutes of limitations also restrict the time period within which an injured patient or the family of an injured child can take legal action. You must comply with the statute of limitations to have your case heard.
Consult a Knowledgeable Medical Malpractice Lawyer in BaltimoreAt Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers, our Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys have helped numerous patients pursue the compensation that they deserve for their harm. We can meticulously explore the facts of your case and advocate aggressively for you in settlement negotiations or at trial. Our birth injury attorneys can represent people throughout Maryland and the Washington, D.C. area, including in Baltimore City, Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Rockville, Germantown, Bethesda, Upper Marlboro, Hyattsville, Bowie, Silver Spring, Towson, Columbia, Takoma Park, and other communities throughout Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Prince George's, and Carroll Counties. Call us at (800) 654-1949 or at (410) 654-3600, or contact us online, to schedule a free consultation.