Many conditions can result from a nurse mishandling your baby. Brain damage is one of the greatest risks of mishandling during birth. If a nurse bumps your baby’s head on a hard surface or drops them on the floor, then your baby may be at risk for one of the following developmental disabilities:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Cerebral palsy
- Erb’s palsy
- Hearing loss
- Intellectual disabilities
- Learning disorders
In addition to drops and bumps, babies can also experience medical conditions if their brain does not get the proper care during birth. For example, a range of developmental disabilities is likely when a baby fails to get adequate oxygen to its brain during the birth process. Medical professionals who fail to position and deliver a baby in the correct manner may cause a developmental disability or another form of brain damage. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that from 2014–2016, the prevalence of children diagnosed with any developmental disability increased, from 5.76% in 2014 to 6.99% in 2016.
The risks of the blatant mishandling of a baby are vast. If you or your baby experienced an injury during birth, and you believe this injury was caused by a nurse or other medical professional, then you may be entitled to recover compensation. However, fighting a hospital or large healthcare system on your own often proves to be a stressful and fruitless process. When you work with a lawyer who focuses on birth injury and medical malpractice, they will work to build a case that represents your position. A lawyer can compile evidence, conduct interviews, and analyze federal, state, and local laws on your behalf. In doing so, they will work to establish a liable party and go after any forms of compensation that you may be entitled to for your medical bills, trauma, and suffering.
Common Causes of Mishandling and Neglect in Newborns
As the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) notes, many factors contribute to patient neglect in healthcare environments. Healthcare workers who are overwhelmed by the demands of their environment may slip and make a mistake that causes lasting damage for a baby. Maternity wards are some of the busiest and most active areas in a healthcare facility. The hectic pace of a maternity ward may lead to patient neglect as nurses and other healthcare workers attempt to balance several concerns at the same time. The sheer volume of patients and action can fluster nurses and healthcare professionals, causing them to make critical mistakes during the birth process.
Employees who work long shifts are also at risk of making major errors during the birth process. Healthcare workers who fail to take adequate breaks are far more likely to have impaired judgment and critical thinking skills, both of which are necessary throughout the birthing process. In some cases where a nurse mishandles a baby, it may be discovered that the nurse was working too many consecutive hours. In such incidents, lawyers will investigate the incident to determine the role of the healthcare facility employing the nurse.
Some incidents of mishandling a baby are the result of miscommunication. If medical professionals are unclear in their intentions, they may perform risky maneuvers that put both a mother and an infant at risk of personal injury, infection, and ongoing conditions.
When you have a lawyer by your side, they will work to establish a liable party and pursue any monetary awards that you may be owed to cover the costs of your medical bills and other damages.
"If your child was born with a birth injury, or cerebral palsy, we can help."
We Help Victims of Birth Injuries, Contact Our Office Today
Many conditions can result from a nurse mishandling your baby and dealing with them is never easy. On top of the emotional pain you are likely feeling, you may also be confronted with a frenzy of legal and financial concerns. When you hire a lawyer to work on your behalf, they will give you the freedom to focus on healing from your pain.
A lawyer who focuses on birth injury and medical malpractice can lead a fight for justice by gathering evidence, establishing a liable party, and seeking any forms of monetary compensation that you may be owed for both your emotional and financial pain and suffering. For a free consultation, contact the Birth Injury Lawyers Group today at (800) 222-9529 to learn more.
"We are committed to helping families who have suffered medical negligence."