In medical situations involving childbirth or other forms of medical care, the concept of medical negligence or malpractice becomes central when trying to determine responsibility for a baby’s injury. Medical negligence occurs when a healthcare provider, such as a doctor, nurse, or the hospital itself, fails to provide the standard of care expected in their professional duties, resulting in harm or injury.
To establish that an injury was the result of medical negligence, several key elements must be proven:
- Duty of Care: It must be established that the healthcare provider had a duty of care for the patient. Given the relationship between healthcare providers and their patients, this duty is generally presumed in medical settings.
- Breach of Duty: The plaintiff (the party bringing the claim) must show that the healthcare provider failed to meet the standard of care that a reasonably competent provider would have provided under similar circumstances. This involves comparing the healthcare provider’s actions to those of their peers in the same field.
- Causation: There must be a direct link between the healthcare provider’s breach of duty and the injury suffered. This means showing that the injury would not have occurred if the provider had not breached the standard of care.
- Damages: Finally, there must be actual damages that resulted from the injury. This could be physical harm to the baby, which might include long-term health consequences. In legal terms, damages are often translated into compensation that might cover medical bills, future care needs, and sometimes pain and suffering.
When are Doctors Responsible for Birth Injuries?
Doctors can be held responsible for birth injuries among infants if their actions or inactions during the prenatal care, labor, and delivery process are found to be negligent and directly cause harm to the infant.
- Failure to Diagnose: If a doctor fails to recognize and diagnose a medical condition in the mother or baby that should reasonably have been identified, and this failure results in harm, they could be held liable. For example, not diagnosing maternal gestational diabetes or preeclampsia, which are conditions that can significantly affect the health of both mother and baby during delivery.
- Improper Handling of Complications: Doctors are expected to respond appropriately to complications during delivery. If they fail to manage issues such as fetal distress, umbilical cord entanglement, or prolonged labor effectively, and this mismanagement leads to injury, they may be held responsible.
- Incorrect or Inappropriate Use of Delivery Tools: Using tools such as forceps or vacuum extractors requires significant skill, and improper use can lead to physical injuries like skull fractures or brain injuries in infants. If a doctor uses these tools inappropriately or unnecessarily, they might be liable for any resulting injuries.
- Inadequate Monitoring: During labor and delivery, monitoring the fetal heartbeat and other vital signs is crucial to ensure the baby’s well-being. Negligence in monitoring can lead to a lack of response to critical situations, such as oxygen deprivation, which can cause brain damage and other serious health issues.
- Poor Execution of Cesarean Section: If there is a delay in deciding to perform a cesarean section when it is clearly indicated, or if it is poorly executed, resulting in harm to the infant, the doctor could be responsible for the resulting injuries.
- Lack of Informed Consent: If a doctor fails to inform the mother of the potential risks of certain procedures or treatments during childbirth and an injury results from those procedures, there could be a claim for lack of informed consent.
Contact Gray and White Today
If you believe your child’s birth injury was due to medical negligence, get in touch with us today. We can evaluate the specifics of your case, including medical records and potential expert opinions, to determine if there is a viable claim. Call (502) 210-8942 or fill out our online form to request a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our experienced attorneys