Minnesota Childbirth Injuries Lawyer
Pregnant women often experience some degree of anxiety and worry when they think about the birthing process. They rely on the medical professionals in the room to calm their fears and provide the highest standard of care that will keep them and their child safe. It is then devastating when they suffer an injury, particularly when the harm was preventable and only occurred as a result of medical negligence.
Childbirth injuries always have the potential to be very serious. They can also turn what is supposed to be a joyful day into one of frustration and in the worst of cases, tragedy. If you were injured while giving birth and believe it was the fault of a healthcare professional, our Minnesota childbirth injuries lawyer can help you claim the financial compensation you are entitled to.
What Injuries are Common During Childbirth?
Some degree of tearing is normal during the childbirth process. In most cases, tearing occurs in the perineum area when an infant is quite large. In other cases, tearing can occur when a woman’s pelvic bone is smaller, or when it is abnormally positioned. Usually this tearing is quite minor but when it is substantial, it is often a sign that medical malpractice has occurred. Significant tearing can result in incontinence and intercourse that is painful. Surgery is usually required to fix the tearing.
Large babies also sometimes cause women to suffer other injuries, such as broken bones. The tailbone, in particular, can experience trauma during the birth of a large baby and it may fracture. When a baby is significantly large, it can also cause the uterine wall to rupture, or tear. This is never a common injury and trauma during the childbirth process can also cause the uterine wall to rupture. A uterine rupture is more common in women who have had a prior C-section, resulting in scar tissue on the uterine wall. Uterine ruptures are very serious and can cause urological problems, hemorrhaging, and even death.
Larger infants are not always the cause of childbirth injuries. Other common childbirth injuries involve the placenta and the uterus. When the placenta remains attached to the uterine wall, it can cause the uterus to turn inside out. This is an extremely serious childbirth injury that could require a hysterectomy to correct, meaning the woman cannot have any more biological children. The placenta may also not be delivered after the birth, which can result in hemorrhaging that is sometimes fatal.
Pursuing Financial Compensation for Childbirth Injuries
When a childbirth injury was due to medical negligence, parents can file a claim against the negligent, or careless, doctor. The damages available will depend on the facts of the case, but the most common include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income, if the woman cannot return to work
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma, particularly if the woman is unable to have more children
- Therapy expenses, such as hormonal therapy required after a hysterectomy
A Minnesota birth injury lawyer can review the facts of a case to determine the full amount of damages available.
Our Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Minnesota will Help You Claim the Full Settlement You Deserve
If you have suffered a childbirth injury and believe it was caused by a negligent doctor or other healthcare professional, our Minnesota medical malpractice lawyers can help. At Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman, LLC, we know the severe impact these injuries have and we want to help you make it right. Call us today or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help.
