Birth Injury Lawyer Houston, TX
Both mother and child must be kept safe throughout the process of pregnancy, labor, and post-delivery. If the doctor or medical personnel fail to provide proper medical care and attention during this time, it can cause the baby birth injuries or even death. Any parent who has a gut feeling that his or her doctor make a crucial mistake, may want to seek guidance from a legal professional. These matters are very sensitive, as it can be devastating to find out the doctor you relied on had failed to uphold his or her duty.
Parents who are suspicious that negligence or misconduct occurred at any stage during the pregnancy or delivery, may wonder what they can do to take action if a doctor or other personnel committed a tragic error.
Q: What is one of the leading causes of birth injuries?
A: Delayed birth is one of the most common reasons why birth injuries happen. Sometimes, doctors do not respond to signs of labor with as much urgency as they should, or take too long to finally decide that an emergency c-section is needed. When the baby undergoes pressure associated with delivery for as long as 20 hours or more, there may be signs of fetal distress including:
- Decreased movements
- Rapid heart rate
- Slowed heart rate
- Excessive vaginal bleeding
- Placental abruption
- Low amniotic fluid levels
- High amniotic fluid levels
- Extreme cramping
Q: How can oxygen deprivation happen during labor?
A: Many brain-related birth injuries are associated with oxygen deprivation during delivery. These injuries can be mild or severe, to where symptoms last temporarily or forever. A baby enduring external forces such as a prolapsed umbilical cord, or internal forces such as underdeveloped lungs, may become severely impaired both physically and cognitively. The treating doctor and medical staff must strictly monitor the mother and baby’s heart rate and oxygen level, to prevent against a life-threatening situation from arising.
Q: What if I had an infection during pregnancy?
A: Infections during pregnancy can be dangerous to the baby, as it can cause problems such as hearing loss, learning difficulties, visual impairment, and more. Your doctor is responsible for performing regular checkups and running diagnostics to identify if you have any infections that need treatment during pregnancy. Here is a list of infections that can harm the fetus if not treated properly and in a timely manner:
- Chicken Pox
- Bacterial Vaginosis
- Cytomegalovirus
- Chlamydia
- Chikungunya
- Parvovirus
- Flu
- Gonorrhea
- Herpes
- Group B Strep
- Hepatitis B
- HIV
- Syphilis
- Rubella
- Listeriosis
- Zika Virus
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Trichomoniasis
- Toxoplasmosis
Q: I think my doctor made a mistake, should I file a report to the hospital?
A: Before submitting a complaint to the hospital that treated you during pregnancy and/or delivery, you may want to confide in a birth injury lawyer Houston, TX trusts at John K. Zaid & Associates. The reason for this, is because if the hospital finds out about a potential lawsuit they may try to hide any related evidence before you have a chance to access it.
