Portland, Oregon, Birth Injury Lawsuit Attorney
Is there anything more devastating than to see your infant's new life changed forever because of a serious birth injury? When the injury was the result of negligence on the part of the doctor or hospital staff, it is hard to believe that the injustice can never be fully corrected. Birth injury lawsuits are the only means our legal system has to help the family cover the costs of medical care and lost opportunity that may last a lifetime.
Birth Injuries can occur in a variety of way:
Failure to interpret electronic fetal monitor
- Electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) is available and used in nearly every modern hospital.
- Proper evaluation of EFM data is essential to ensure the safety of the baby.
- Failure to properly monitor or evaluate EFM data can result in catastrophic injuries.
- Most birth injury causes involve a lack of adequate EFM evaluation.
- EFM is a "lifesaver" for a baby in distress.
Failure to obtain timely cesarean delivery
- A problem pregnancy or delivery often requires prompt delivery of the baby by cesarean section.
- In some cases, cesarean delivery is the only viable option to protect the baby.
- Proper prenatal assessment and EFM interpretation helps to determine when cesarean delivery is necessary.
Failure to recognize fetal distress
- Fetal distress are SOS signs sent by the baby.
- Signs of fetal distress may be subtle, but can cause catastrophic injury if not recognized and treated.
- In high-risk pregnancies, fetal distress is avoidable by proper management.
Failure to manage high-risk pregnancy or delivery
- Certain conditions - such as pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) or gestational diabetes - require close observation of the mother and careful monitoring of the well-being of the baby.
- Gestational diabetes and other conditions may be treated, or may lead to induction of labor or cesarean delivery.
- PIH and other conditions can be life-threatening to both mother and baby if not diagnosed or managed properly.
Failure to provide appropriate prenatal care
- Failure to provide appropriate prenatal care and assessments of fetal well-being can lead to birth injures with catastrophic consequences.
- Proper prenatal care can predict problems with labor and delivery.
- Prenatal care includes adequate documentation of prenatal evaluations and any non-stress testing of the condition of the fetus.
- Problem deliveries are often preceded by warning signs in the prenatal period that are ignored or left untreated.
If your baby suffered an injury because of negligent medical care before, during or after birth, talk to the Savage Law Firm, in Portland. Our attorneys have helped many parents fight for full and fair compensation for injuries or wrongful death resulting from medical or hospital negligence.
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Call our offices at 503-222-0200 or contact us by e-mail to arrange a free consultation to discuss your birth injury claim with attorney Bill Savage.
Types of Birth Trauma and Birth Injuries
Birth injury refers to a variety of injuries incurred before, during or immediately after birth. Prenatal care is extremely important and doctors are responsible for providing comprehensive care to the mother to protect the development of the child. But, sometimes physicians fail to diagnose early development warning signs and may be liable for negligence.
Birth injury can also occur during delivery if blood or oxygen flow is hindered. These types of injuries can be devastating to an infant, affecting the rest of his or her life due to brain damage, cerebral palsy or Erb’s palsy or other conditions.
Common birth injuries to infants include:
- Cerebral Palsy
- Shoulder separation, dystocia
- Injuries to the brachial plexus, Erb's Palsy
- Brain injuries
Some typical causes include:
- Lack of oxygen to the brain
- Strangulation by the umbilical cord
- Delayed C-section
- Injuries from vacuum extractors and forceps
- Delayed treatment of jaundice and infections
Contact attorney Bill Savage to discuss your case right away. We have the professional and technical resources to handle the most complex birth injury case.
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