Patients depend on doctors and nurses to provide exemplary care which comports with the standards of care accepted within the medical community. This premise also applies to the health and care of a pregnant mother and fetus prior to birth, and a baby at the time of labor and delivery.
Providing care within the following standards could very likely preclude a birth or other injury to the child: careful monitoring of the growth and development of the fetus, provision of adequate timely information about conditions during pregnancy and any potential harm to the fetus, and appropriate responses to complications which may arise during the prenatal course, labor and birth are all integral to maintain the health and well-being of both the mother and child. Conversely, shortcomings in treatment may result in significant injuries to a mother and child.
During fetal development and during labor and delivery, less than exemplary medical care and/or failures in the timely dissemination of information to expectant parents can result in birth defects or birth injuries. Injuries may include brain and nerve damage manifesting in conditions such as Cerebral Palsy and Erb’s Palsy (mismanaged delivery where there is “shoulder dystocia”). A lack of information provided to parents, and/or a failure to diagnose various genetic abnormalities prenatally, may result in the birth of a child with conditions including Down Syndrome and Spina Bifida.
When a child suffers from a preventable injury/condition, he or she may require lifelong medical treatment, various therapies and specialized education. They may require special modifications to their home, and may need medical or other special transportation. The costs associated with the referenced care can be quite significant, as can the lost earning capacity of an injured person; if they are able to be employed at all.
Blume Forte has decades of experience assisting parents pursue claims surrounding medical negligence resulting in the injuries and losses discussed above. If you believe that your child has suffered a birth or other injury due to medical malpractice, please do not hesitate to contact Blume Forte Fried Zerres & Molinari for a no-cost consultation at (973)635-5400.