In the United States, 32.1% of live births are performed via cesarean sections (C-sections).
A woman may need a C-section for a number of reasons, including situations such as:
- Fetal distress
- Placental problems
- Birth canal obstruction
- Labor that fails to progress
- Maternal health problems
- Being pregnant with multiple babies
- Older maternal age
- Prolapsed umbilical cord
- Previous cesarean birth(s)
In these cases, where a woman cannot safely give natural birth, C-sections are the common alternative, though some mothers may also simply prefer to have a C-section performed to avoid the pain of a natural birth.
Although the majority of C-sections are successful, some women experience complications because of negligence on the part of the doctor performing them. If you’ve had a C-section and you or your baby suffered an injury during the procedure in West Palm Beach, FL, you may be able to receive compensation for your medical bills as well as the pain and suffering you have endured.
At Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers, you can set up a free consultation with a West Palm Beach C-section injury lawyer to determine the value of your case today.
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How Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers Can Help With Your C-Section Injury Claim in West Palm Beach
The team at Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers has been helping those injured by medical malpractice, car accidents, and more since 1966. We offer empathy and experience, giving you the guidance you need to navigate personal injury claims in West Palm Beach, Florida.
In particular, our trusted West Palm Beach birth injury lawyer provides the following to each of our clients:
- Free consultations to assess their cases
- Evidence gathering
- Communication and negotiation with insurance companies
- Defense at trials
We know how difficult it is to struggle with injuries that result from someone else’s negligence, especially if you or your child suffered an injury during a C-section. Contact Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers today in West Palm Beach, Florida, to see if you are eligible for compensation.
Types of C-Section Injuries
It is, unfortunately, possible for the doctor performing the C-section to injure the baby or the mother in the process. One study found that over 1% of C-sections result in injuries to the baby, often as the result of medical errors, premature deliveries, or delays in decisions regarding the enactment of the procedure.
Common injuries to a fetus include a cephalohematoma, in which blood beneath the fibrous membrane covers the skull and ruptures blood vessels. Additionally, a newborn can also experience skin lacerations and fractures to their skull or collarbone.
In some cases, there may be injuries to the nerves that travel down the spinal cord from the neck to the arm. Medical error can also result in facial nerve palsy, damage to the facial nerve that weakens facial muscles.
For mothers, C-section injuries that occur as a result of medical error can include damage to an otherwise healthy organ and improperly closing the incision, which can result in infections such as endometritis, which is particularly dangerous given that it is an infection of the uterine lining.
It’s also important to know that if a doctor takes too long to decide whether to perform a C-section, that, too, can result in injuries. The baby might be deprived of oxygen, leading to the development of cerebral palsy, and in the most extreme cases, medical error during a C-section could result in the death of the child, mother, or both.
How Long Do You Have To File a C-Section Injury Claim in West Palm Beach, FL?
If you or a loved one suffered an injury during a C-section, you typically have two years to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. However, under the Florida Statute of Repose, some may have up to four years from the incident.
The best thing you can do is to reach out to a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as the injury occurs to quickly begin the process. Filing is complex and takes time; beginning the process early on not only means you won’t have to stress about not meeting the deadlines, but you may also have witnesses and evidence that you may not have in a year or two.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our West Palm Beach C-Section Injury Lawyer
Neither you nor your newborn child should have to live with the results of a medical error that occurred during a C-section. If you have suffered injuries that have resulted in pain and suffering, medical bills, and other damages, you may be able to receive compensation.
At Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers, we offer help to those in West Palm Beach, Florida, who are struggling with injuries that are someone else’s fault. Contact us for a free consultation with our West Palm Beach C-section injury attorney today to see if you have a case. Call us today at (561) 556-7873.