The birth of a child should be one of life’s happiest moments. Unfortunately, when healthcare providers misuse forceps, vacuum extractors, or other assisted-delivery tools, it may cause devastating injuries to both newborns and mothers.<\/p>\n
In situations where doctors, nurses, or other medical professionals fail to follow accepted standards of care and a preventable injury occurs, it may rise to the level of medical malpractice. The experienced Oklahoma City birth injury attorneys at Maples Harrison Zeaman PLLC<\/strong> can review your case and advise you about your options for seeking compensation.<\/p>\n An assisted delivery<\/strong> occurs when a healthcare provider uses specialized instruments to help guide a baby through the birth canal during labor. The two most common delivery tools are forceps and vacuum extractors. The improper use of these devices can result in severe injuries that may have lifelong consequences.<\/p>\n These instruments are often used when labor is not progressing, the baby shows signs of distress, the mother becomes exhausted, or medical complications require a faster delivery. In these situations, healthcare providers must carefully evaluate whether an assisted delivery is appropriate and perform the procedure according to accepted medical standards.<\/p>\n To establish a legal claim, it generally must be shown that a healthcare provider failed to act according to accepted medical standards and that the failure caused injury.<\/p>\n Examples of delivery room negligence may include:<\/p>\n Both forceps and vacuum extractors carry risks that healthcare providers must carefully evaluate before proceeding.<\/p>\n Forceps<\/strong> are metal instruments that resemble large spoons or tongs. They are placed around the baby’s head to assist with delivery. Forceps require significant skill and experience. Improper placement or excessive force can cause serious injuries to both the infant and mother.<\/p>\n Vacuum extraction<\/strong> involves attaching a suction cup to the baby’s head and gently assisting delivery during contractions. While vacuum extraction is often considered less invasive than forceps, improper use can still result in severe complications.<\/p>\n Forceps-related injuries can range from bruising to permanent neurological damage. In severe cases, forceps misuse may lead to permanent disabilities that require lifelong medical care.<\/p>\n Common forceps-related injuries include:<\/p>\n When these injuries occur because a provider used forceps improperly, families may wish to consult a forceps birth injury lawyer to evaluate their legal options.<\/p>\n Vacuum extractors can also cause serious harm when used improperly. Potential injuries include:<\/p>\n Subgaleal hemorrhage<\/strong> is particularly dangerous because it involves bleeding beneath the scalp that can become life-threatening if not quickly recognized and treated.<\/p>\n Healthcare providers have a duty to protect both mother and child during labor and delivery. Delivery room mistakes can also cause serious maternal injuries.<\/p>\n Maternal injuries may include:<\/p>\n One of the most serious consequences of delivery room negligence is an infant brain injury. These injuries can occur when medical providers fail to recognize fetal distress, unnecessarily delay delivery, misuse forceps or vacuum extractors, or fail to respond appropriately to signs of oxygen deprivation.<\/p>\n A lack of oxygen during labor or delivery can permanently damage a newborn’s brain within a matter of minutes. Potential consequences include:<\/p>\n Because these injuries often require lifelong treatment and support, the financial impact on families can be substantial.<\/p>\n Birth injury cases often involve multiple healthcare providers and institutions. An experienced birth injury attorney can investigate all potentially liable parties and identify available sources of compensation.<\/p>\n Potentially liable parties may include:<\/p>\n If you believe a preventable delivery room mistake harmed your child, consider taking the following steps:<\/p>\n At Maples Harrison Zeaman PLLC<\/strong>, we understand the emotional and financial challenges that families face after serious birth injuries occur. If you have concerns about the delivery room treatment your child received, we want to hear about it.<\/p>\n Our birth injury law firm represents families in OKC and throughout Oklahoma. Since 2002, we have been fighting for injured clients and pursuing maximum compensation.<\/p>\n Call (405) 705-5050<\/strong> to schedule a free consultation<\/strong> today.<\/p>\n Yes. When forceps are improperly positioned or excessive force is used during delivery, a baby may suffer injuries such as skull fractures, facial nerve damage, brain bleeding, or other serious complications.<\/p>\n Improper use of a vacuum extractor can cause scalp injuries, skull fractures, bleeding beneath the scalp, brain injuries, and nerve damage. In severe cases, these injuries may lead to long-term developmental or neurological problems.<\/p>\n A delivery room mistake may constitute medical malpractice when a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider fails to follow accepted medical standards and that failure causes injury to the mother or baby.<\/p>\n If a healthcare provider’s negligence caused your child’s injury, you may be able to pursue a birth trauma lawsuit seeking compensation for medical expenses, future care costs, pain and suffering, and other damages. An experienced birth injury attorney can evaluate the circumstances and explain your legal options.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The birth of a child should be one of life’s happiest moments. Unfortunately, when healthcare providers misuse forceps, vacuum extractors, or other assisted-delivery tools, it may cause devastating injuries to…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3029,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3028","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-medical-malpractice"],"yoast_head":"\nWhat Is Assisted Delivery?<\/h2>\n
When Does a Delivery Room Mistake Become Medical Malpractice?<\/h2>\n
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What Are Forceps and Vacuum Extractors?<\/h2>\n
Birth Injuries That Result From Improper Forceps Use<\/h2>\n
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Injuries That Result From Vacuum Extraction Errors<\/h2>\n
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Mothers Can Also Suffer Injuries From Delivery Room Errors<\/h2>\n
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Brain Injuries Caused by Delivery Room Errors<\/h2>\n
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Who Can Be Liable for a Birth Injury?<\/h2>\n
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What Should Families Do If They Suspect a Birth Injury?<\/h2>\n
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Speak With an Experienced Birth Injury Attorney in OKC<\/h2>\n
Frequently Asked Questions About Delivery Room Malpractice<\/h2>\n
Can forceps cause a birth injury?<\/h3>\n
What injuries can result from a vacuum extractor?<\/h3>\n
When does a delivery room mistake become medical malpractice?<\/h3>\n
Can I file a lawsuit if my child suffered a birth injury during delivery?<\/h3>\n