Legal Actions Available to You When You Are Injured in Labor and Delivery

With all the advancements in medical technology today, labor and delivery is a typically a very smooth process without many, if any, complications. Because of this, most women expect to go into labor and delivery, have their baby, and be home within two to three days max. And while a majority of deliveries do go as smoothly as planned, there are some, unfortunately, that still result in major post delivery complications.

Some post-delivery complications are minor – such as tears or fissures – while others can result in long-term or even permanent health problems. Furthermore, while some post delivery complications are completely unavoidable, others result from a doctor’s or other health care provider’s negligence.

If you were injured during childbirth, and if your injuries were a result of a medical professional’s negligence, you may be entitled to a medical malpractice lawsuit. At The Pendas Law Firm, our West Palm Beach medical malpractice lawyers can evaluate the circumstances surrounding your injuries and help you build a strong case so that you may receive fair compensation for the damages and losses you suffered.

Common Causes of Injuries to Mothers During Birth

Once upon a time, the death rate of women during childbirth was a staggering 600 deaths per 100,000 live births. Centuries before that, during the 1600 and 1700s, it was double that rate. Today, the death rate of mothers during childbirth has dropped down to 15 deaths in every 100,000 live births. While significantly lower than historical rates, this rate is still not a cause for celebration, as, according to the CDC, bearing a child is the sixth most common cause of death of American women between the ages of 20 and 35.

Childbirth is a notoriously risky event, and despite a doctor’s best efforts, can result in serious harm to the mother. Because of this, it is important to keep in mind that not everything that goes wrong in the labor and delivery room is the result of medical negligence; it may just be nature taking its course.

However, when a doctor, nurse, midwife, or some other medical professional does make a mistake during the childbirth process, it can have devastating consequences. Some of those consequences include:

• Vaginal Tears and Fissures: Because tears and fissures of the muscle tissue lining the vaginal region are a somewhat common birth injury, many OBGYNs will offer their patients an episiotomy—a procedure done to reduce the chances of tears and fissures—before pushing. If not carried out correctly, an episiotomy may cause problems with the sutures and result in infection, excessive bleeding, and improper healing.
• Cesarean Section: If not conducted properly, a C-section can result in a uterine infection. A uterine infection may lead to fever, pain, and tenderness. If left untreated, a uterine infection can lead to blood clots, kidney infections, or sepsis.
• Preeclampsia: Preeclampsia is a condition that results in high blood pressure and protein in the urine. Many doctors detect preeclampsia through a blood test and by keeping an eye out for symptoms such as swelling, unhealthy weight gain, high blood pressure, and headaches. If left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to serious injury or even death, for both the mother and the baby.

Retain the Help of a West Palm Beach Medical Malpractice Lawyer

At The Pendas Law Firm, our West Palm Beach medical malpractice lawyers believe that the birth of a child should be a happy experience, one that ends with you going home with your baby and caring for him or her in peace. Unfortunately, many mothers are unable to do this due to complications during the childbirth process. We advocate for those mothers, and for any other victims of medical malpractice. We also serve clients in the Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Fort Myers areas.