A forceps-assisted delivery can be a necessary medical intervention in a difficult birth. However, these surgical tongs are powerful instruments that, when used improperly, can cause devastating and lifelong injuries to a newborn. If your child was harmed during a forceps delivery, you may be left with crushing medical bills and the emotional trauma of knowing the injury was preventable.
If your child has experienced any injuries during a forceps delivery, it is crucial to consult with a forceps delivery complications lawyer.
A forceps delivery complications lawyer can help guide you through the legal process and ensure that your rights are protected.
You need to know that you are not alone, and you have legal rights. When the misuse of forceps leads to harm, it constitutes medical malpractice. A skilled forceps delivery complications lawyer can investigate what happened, hold the responsible medical professionals accountable, and fight for the financial security your child needs for a lifetime of care.
At CP Family Help, we have seen the catastrophic impact of improperly performed assisted deliveries. Our legal team is dedicated to helping families like yours get the answers, justice, and compensation they deserve.
When Does a Forceps Delivery Become Medical Malpractice?
It is important to consult with a forceps delivery complications lawyer who has experience in similar cases.
The use of forceps is not, in itself, malpractice. Negligence arises when a doctor or other medical professional fails to follow the strict standard of care required for this high-risk procedure.
A forceps delivery complications lawyer will investigate to see if the doctor committed errors such as:
- Improper Placement: Applying the forceps incorrectly to the baby’s head, putting pressure on fragile areas like the face, eyes, or the base of the skull.
- Using Excessive Force: Pulling too hard or twisting the baby’s head and neck, causing nerve damage, skull fractures, and brain bleeding.
- Using Forceps When Contraindicated: Using the tool when the baby’s head is too high in the birth canal or when the baby’s position is unknown.
- Failing to Abandon the Procedure: Continuing with a difficult forceps attempt when a timely emergency C-section would have been the safer option for the baby.
3 Major Forceps Delivery Complications a Lawyer Can Assist With
While minor scrapes or bruises can occur even with proper technique, improper forceps use can lead to catastrophic injuries. Here are three major complications that warrant an immediate call to an attorney.
A skilled forceps delivery complications lawyer can navigate the complexities of medical malpractice law for you.
In cases of severe complications, reaching out to a forceps delivery complications lawyer can be vital for obtaining justice.
1. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) and Cerebral Palsy
This is the most severe category of forceps injury. The immense pressure from improperly applied forceps can fracture a baby’s fragile skull. This direct trauma can cause intracranial hemorrhages (brain bleeds), such as subdural hematomas or cephalohematomas. This type of brain damage can lead to permanent, life-altering conditions, including:
- Cerebral Palsy: The brain damage can disrupt the signals that control muscle movement, tone, and coordination.
- Seizure Disorders (Epilepsy): Scar tissue on the brain from the injury can become a focal point for chronic seizures.
- Cognitive and Developmental Delays: Damage to the brain can impact a child’s ability to learn, reason, and meet developmental milestones.
A lawyer can link the forceps trauma directly to a diagnosis like Cerebral Palsy, proving that the condition was caused by a preventable medical error, not genetics or chance.
2. Permanent Facial Nerve Palsy
The facial nerve (the 7th cranial nerve) runs along the sides of the face and controls all expressions. If a forceps blade is placed incorrectly, it can compress or crush this delicate nerve. The result is facial nerve palsy, which causes paralysis on one side of the face.
Engaging a forceps delivery complications lawyer early on can help ensure that all evidence pertinent to your case is preserved.
Signs of this forceps injury include:
- A drooping eyelid that may not close completely.
- A crooked smile, as one side of the mouth doesn’t move.
- Difficulty with feeding due to lack of muscle control.
While sometimes temporary, severe nerve damage can be permanent, affecting a child’s appearance, ability to communicate, and self-esteem for the rest of their life. A forceps delivery complications lawyer can help secure compensation for the corrective surgeries and emotional distress this injury causes.
It’s essential to understand your options, and a forceps delivery complications lawyer can provide the necessary clarity.
3. Severe Eye Injuries and Skull Fractures
The amount of force required to pull a baby through the birth canal is significant. When that force is concentrated in the wrong place by a metal instrument, the damage can be devastating. Improper placement can put direct pressure on the baby’s eyes, potentially causing orbital fractures (a break in the bone surrounding the eye), damage to the optic nerve, or even rupture of the eyeball itself, leading to permanent vision loss.
The presence of a skull fracture is a clear sign that excessive and dangerous force was used. A lawyer uses evidence of a fracture not only to prove the doctor’s negligence but also as a gateway to investigating the extent of the underlying and often invisible brain injury.
Consulting with a forceps delivery complications lawyer may greatly assist your case and improve your chances of a successful outcome.
Many families have benefited from the expertise of a forceps delivery complications lawyer in similar situations.
Having a forceps delivery complications lawyer on your side can make a substantial difference in the trajectory of your case.
Forceps delivery complications are serious, and securing a knowledgeable forceps delivery complications lawyer is essential for pursuing compensation.
The advice of a forceps delivery complications lawyer can help you understand the nuances of your case and what to expect.
For your child’s future, consulting a forceps delivery complications lawyer can provide the support you need.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Our team of experts, including a forceps delivery complications lawyer, is ready to assist you in your time of need.
We understand you have urgent questions. Here are some answers to common concerns families have after a traumatic forceps delivery.
The doctor said the forceps were necessary to save my baby’s life. Can I still have a case?
Yes. In many legal cases, the issue is not that the forceps were used, but how they were used. A necessary procedure can still be performed negligently. A lawyer will investigate whether the technique was correct, if the force was excessive, or if a C-section would have been an even safer life-saving measure that was negligently delayed.
How much does it cost to hire a forceps delivery complications lawyer?
Our firm, like most reputable birth injury law firms, works on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay absolutely nothing upfront. We cover all the costs of the investigation, hiring medical experts, and filing the lawsuit. We only receive a fee as a percentage of the compensation we successfully recover for you. If we do not win, you owe us nothing.
What kind of compensation can be recovered in a forceps injury case?
The goal is to secure compensation that covers all of your child’s past, present, and future needs. This is determined by a life care plan and includes funds for medical bills, ongoing physical and occupational therapy, adaptive equipment, special education, home modifications, and damages for your child’s pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Speak With a Forceps Delivery Complications Lawyer Today
If your child was injured during a forceps-assisted birth, you deserve answers, accountability, and justice. With the help of a forceps delivery complications lawyer, you should not have to face the overwhelming financial and emotional costs of a medical professional’s mistake on your own.
The dedicated legal team at CP Family Help is here to fight for you. We have the expertise and resources, including a knowledgeable forceps delivery complications lawyer, to stand up to hospitals and their insurance companies to secure the future your child deserves. Contact us today for a free, confidential case evaluation.
