A parent’s worst nightmare always begins with their child in a life-threatening situation. Luckily, most parents wake up from their dreams and find their children in the safety of their beds. However, one mother’s nightmare became a reality in a Chicago-based lawsuit.
According to AP News, a jury awarded $50 million to a mother after she gave birth to her son in a local hospital and her child suffered severe brain damage. During the trial, experts testified a cesarean section would have prevented the brain damage and allowed the now five-year-old to live a normal childhood.
Unfortunately, mistakes happen in the delivery room, but when does an error become medical malpractice?
Recognizing birth injuries
Birth injuries aren’t common occurrences in most hospitals because doctors and medical staff try to act proactively to protect both the child and mother during the delivery process. However, there are rare circumstances where a doctor fails to spot a complication or take the correct protocol during birth.
Most injuries have severe effects on the child’s health and development. For example, the mother in the lawsuit explained her five-year-old son could not walk, talk or sit up on his own due to the severe head injury he had during birth. Some of the most severe effects include:
- Ataxia (loss of full use of bodily movements)
- Delay in motor skills
- Intellectual disabilities such as problem solving and memory
- Speech problems
- Seizures
- Cerebral Palsy
- ADHD
Most of these symptoms won’t be spotted in the hospital after birth. It takes years of child development before anyone knows the real impact of a birth injury. It makes it critical for mothers across the United States, including New Mexico, to seek medical attention if you suspect your child is suffering due to a medical mistake during birth.
Don’t let birth injuries slip under your radar. Make sure to receive medical help for your child and learn about your options for compensation under current medical malpractice guidelines in New Mexico.
