Obstetrical Malpractice
A mother places her full-hearted trust into her OBGYN doctors and other healthcare providers during her pregnancy and delivery. Sadly, mistakes do occur on a regular basis during these events. What are the most common types of obstetrical malpractice, and what types of injuries can be sustained as a result?
Types of OBGYN Malpractice
OBGYN malpractice happens when an obstetrician or their staff members fail to meet the standard of care expected of them when caring for their patient. A lot of things can go wrong during pregnancy and childbirth, but doctors have a strict standard of care to uphold throughout the process.
Pregnant women and developing fetuses both need consistent monitoring to avoid common complications of pregnancy. There also needs to be consistent care during childbirth and after the delivery process. Here are the most common types of OBGYN malpractice:
- Improperly reading lab results
- Failure to diagnose birth defect or genetic disorder during pregnancy
- Performing unnecessary surgery
- Failure to perform c-section in a timely manner
- Failing to diagnose prenatal conditions (ectopic or tubal pregnancy)
- Improperly using forceps
- Asphyxiation of the newborn
- Failing to monitor or recognize umbilical cord complications
If a healthcare provider is negligent during pregnancy, childbirth or post-delivery, then the consequences can be extreme.
Consequences of OBGYN Malpractice
A misstep during pregnancy, delivery or post-delivery care can cause life-long complications. Here are a few of the common types of injuries sustained by either the newborn or mother due to OBGYN malpractice:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Fractures
- Internal injuries
- Erb’s palsy
- Brain damage
- Paralysis
- Soft tissue damage
- Streptococcal infections
These injuries are devastating. In most cases, the injuries could have been avoided had the doctor upheld the standard of care expected of them.
Losses Associated with OBGYN Malpractice
The physical injuries caused by OBGYN malpractice can have life-altering consequences. In addition to the pain, you may suffer losses in the form of:
- Increasing medical bills (current and future)
- Lost wages or an inability to return to work (becoming disabled or caring for a disabled child)
- Severe emotional distress
Serious injuries can greatly disrupt a person’s quality of life. Often, when the negligence has been extreme, courtrooms will give the victim additional compensation in the form of punitive damages. This award is meant to financially punish the reckless OBGYN healthcare provider.
Contact A Medical Malpractice Attorney for a Consultation About Your OBGYN Malpractice Case in New Jersey
Were you or a loved one injured due to OBGYN medical malpractice in New Jersey? Then you need to talk to an experienced medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible for guidance on how to proceed. The Haddonfield medical malpractice attorneys at Andres, Berger & Tran are prepared to assist you with your legal claim. We represent victims of negligent surgeons, doctors, nurses, and pharmacists throughout New Jersey, including Haddonfield, Cherry Hill, Voorhees and Marlton. Call us today at 856-317-6558 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation. Our main office is located at 264 Kings Highway East, Haddonfield, NJ 08033.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
