Forceps Medical Malpractice in Oregon
Ask Our Medical Malpractice Lawyer for Help After Forceps Injuries Harmed Your Loved One
The birth of a baby is an incredible time for the parents to be. Babies born vaginally may require additional assistance to be delivered out of the birth canal. While this is often not uncommon, there are times when the use of extraction tools can lead to delivery complications. While there are risks during the labor and delivery of a baby, including risks associated with extraction tools, there are times when birth injuries could be avoided if extraction tools are used appropriately and per the standards of care. When extraction tools are used improperly and leads to birth injuries, this is considered to be negligence. Forceps medical malpractice in Oregon can result in serious personal injuries.
What are Extraction Tools?
Extraction tools refer to tools used during labor and delivery to aid in the delivery of the baby. Common extraction tools include the vacuum extractor and forceps. Forceps in particular pose risks as they have the appearance of a pair tongs or pliers which grab each side of the baby’s head to pull them out of the birth canal. Assistive deliveries carry added risks to the baby.
When is the Use of Forceps Appropriate?
There is certain criteria that should be met prior to the physician choosing to use forceps to aid in the delivery. According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists, the use of forceps should depend on the following:
- Fetal Distress – Fetal distress refers to signs that indicate that the baby is in some sort of fetal distress. Warning signs that indicate fetal distress include a fetal heart rate that is too high or too low, and abnormal contraction patterns which do not allow the baby’s heart rate to recover in between contractions
- Maternal Exhaustion – When the mother is unable to push efficiently due to exhaustion, the physician may opt for use of forceps
- Prolonged Labor – When the labor is prolonged and the mother has been pushing for 3 hours
Additionally, forceps should only be used if the cervix is fully dilated, membranes have ruptured, the baby is in the birth canal head first and the mother’s pushing is not yielding adequate results.
Forceps Birth Injuries
Birth injuries from forceps may include the following:
- Hydrocephalus – build up of cerebral spinal fluid within the brain causing serious brain swelling, leading to potential brain damage
- Intracranial Hemorrhage – When the use of forceps causes bleeding anywhere in the head or brain
- Hematoma – This refers to abnormal pooling of fluid or blood around the brain. Depending on the type of hematoma, it may cause brain damage if the internal pressure is not relieved
How Can Forceps Injuries Be Due to Medical Malpractice?
The use of forceps may be due to medical malpractice if the following circumstances occur:
- Forceps are used and the prerequisites for the use of forceps are not met
- Excessive force or twisting is used, causing significant injury to the baby
- Failure to treat injuries appropriately that occur as the result of a forceps-related injury
- Severe injury to the baby as the result of the use of forceps
These are just a few of the many ways in which medical malpractice may have caused your child’s forceps injury.
Ask Our Forceps Medical Malpractice Injury Lawyer in Oregon for Help
If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of medical malpractice contact the Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form. We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.
Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Sisters, Madras, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, La Grande, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton, Cottage Grove, Florence, Oregon City, Springfield, Keizer, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Tualatin, West Linn, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Newberg, Roseburg, Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Happy Valley, Tigard, Ashland, Milwakie, Coos Bay, The Dalles, St. Helens, Sherwood, Central Point, Canby, Troutdale, Hermiston, Silverton, Hood River, Newport, Prineville, Astoria, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.
We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take medical malpractice cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.