The first seconds of a person’s life are often the most fragile. Any mistakes made during childbirth can affect the child for the rest of his or her life. Doctors and nurses in Oregon and across the country are usually focused and attentive to both the mother and baby during all phases of the delivery process. However, mistakes or negligence during this delicate process can have life-long implications for both the parents and child. In another state, a lawsuit was filed after delivery errors resulted in brain injuries to a newborn.
The lawsuit said that the mother believed she was in labor so she visited the hospital. After the mother arrived at the hospital, the doctors apparently determined the baby’s heart rate was slowing. A measurement of the baby’s first stool was also thicker than normal, the lawsuit asserted.
However, doctors decided to delay the birth and not perform an emergency cesarean section, according to the claim. Unfortunately, the baby was born blind with severe brain trauma, the plaintiffs claimed. The lawsuit sought to hold the doctors responsible for the child’s injuries by failing to provide the appropriate neonatal care. The lawsuit was recently settled with a payment of $4 million to the plaintiffs.
Childbirth is one of the most wonderful experiences in the lives of Oregon parents. Although this is a time that requires special care and attention, providers are not always as careful as they should be. Oregon families that have experienced delivery errors may have the right to take legal action. A successful lawsuit could result in compensation to help families cope with the trauma associated with this experience.
Source: sandiegoreader.com, “Camp Pendleton baby birth case settled“, Dorian Hargrove, Feb. 4, 2018