Hagerstown, MD Maternal Birth Injury Lawyer

Attorney for Mothers Injured During Childbirth in Hagerstown, Maryland

Childbirth is a complex medical process that requires careful attention and skilled care to ensure the safety of both mother and child. Unfortunately, medical mistakes can occur during labor and delivery, leading to birth injuries. While these cases often focus on birth injuries affecting children, mothers can also experience serious injuries due to medical malpractice. These injuries can result in long-term health complications, emotional trauma, and financial burdens.

In many cases, birth injuries could have been prevented with proper medical care. If you are struggling to recover from a birth injury, Serafini Law can help your family take legal action against the healthcare providers or institutions responsible for causing you to suffer harm. By investigating the circumstances of the birth, consulting with medical experts, and building a strong case, our experienced attorney can help ensure that you can receive compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Common Types of Birth Injuries Affecting Mothers

The injuries that occur during childbirth can vary in severity, ranging from temporary complications to life-threatening conditions. Some of the most common types of injuries that mothers may experience include:

• Perineal Tears: Damage to tissue are common during vaginal deliveries, particularly in first-time births. While minor tears can heal with proper care, severe tears can damage the muscles that control bowel and bladder function, leading to long-term complications.
• Postpartum Hemorrhage: Severe blood loss is one of the most dangerous complications that can occur during childbirth. Mothers may experience heavy bleeding after delivery, and without proper treatment, excessive blood loss can lead to shock, organ failure, and even wrongful death. Immediate medical intervention is crucial to prevent severe outcomes in these situations.
• Uterine Rupture: This rare but serious condition in which the uterine wall tears during labor, often due to previous C-sections or other uterine surgeries. Uterine ruptures can lead to life-threatening bleeding for the mother, and emergency surgery may be required to repair the damage and prevent fatal complications.
• Infections: Improperly sanitized medical equipment, unsanitary conditions in a hospital, or failure to manage and treat existing maternal infections before or during labor can lead to infectious diseases that may affect both the mother and child. Infections such as sepsis or endometritis (infection of the uterine lining) can have long-lasting effects, and they may even be life-threatening.
• Retained Placenta: After childbirth, the placenta must be fully expelled from the uterus. If any part of the placenta remains inside the uterus, it can cause severe bleeding, infection, or even death. A retained placenta may require surgical removal.
• Nerve Damage: During delivery, improper use of forceps or excessive pressure on certain parts of the body can lead to nerve damage. This can result in temporary or permanent issues such as numbness, pain, or weakness in areas like the legs or bladder.
• C-Section Complications: Cesarean sections are common surgical procedures, but they can carry risks, including infections, blood clots, or damage to surrounding organs. In some cases, medical negligence during a C-section can lead to serious injuries for the mother.

Birth injuries can result in long-term health consequences, requiring ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation, or surgery. If you have experienced any of these complications, it is important to seek legal assistance to determine whether medical negligence played a role in your injury.

Medical Negligence and Birth Injuries to Mothers

Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care, leading to harm to the patient. Several types of medical negligence can contribute to injuries suffered by mothers during childbirth. Common examples include:

• Failure to monitor: Throughout labor and delivery, medical professionals are responsible for monitoring both the mother's and baby's vital signs. Failure to properly monitor and respond to signs of distress can result in delayed responses to complications such as excessive bleeding, putting the mother's health at risk.
• Delayed C-section: In some cases, a timely C-section delivery is necessary to prevent complications during labor. If a doctor fails to recognize the need for an emergency C-section or delays the procedure, serious injuries such as uterine rupture, hemorrhage, or damage to internal organs may occur.
• Improper use of delivery tools: Forceps and vacuum extractors are sometimes used to assist in delivery, but improper use of these tools can cause significant harm. Excessive force or incorrect application can lead to nerve damage, severe tearing, or other injuries.
• Medication errors: Administering incorrect medications or dosages during labor and delivery can have serious consequences. For example, administering too much Pitocin, a drug used to induce labor, can lead to dangerously strong contractions, increasing the risk of uterine rupture or other injuries.
• Failure to address high-risk pregnancies: Some pregnancies involve higher risks due to preexisting medical conditions, age, or multiple pregnancies. Medical professionals have a duty to provide extra care and attention in these cases, and failure to do so can result in preventable complications.
• Inadequate post-delivery care: After childbirth, mothers require close monitoring to ensure they are recovering properly. Failure to identify and treat postpartum complications, such as infections or blood clots, can lead to serious, life-threatening conditions.

Contact Our Hagerstown Birth Injury Attorney for Maternal Injuries

At Serafini Law, we understand the profound impact that a birth injury can have on a mother and her family. Our dedicated birth injury lawyer is committed to helping families hold negligent medical providers accountable and seek justice for the injuries they have suffered. To set up a free consultation and learn how we can help you recover financial compensation, contact us at 240-744-1600.