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Forceps Injuries

Ohio and Northern Kentucky Forceps Injury Lawyers

During labor and delivery, it is not uncommon for doctors to use forceps for what is called an operative vaginal delivery if there are concerns about the safety of either mother or baby. These devices can be seen – at the time – as a lifesaving method, but if handled incorrectly, further complications have the potential to arise. In worst-case scenarios, a doctor’s failure to safely apply the forceps can result in the newborn receiving serious injuries, including brain injury, perinatal stroke, brachial plexus injury or worse.

The misuse of forceps can be life-altering for many different reasons. If you or a loved one suspects medical malpractice during the birthing process and your child received a preventable birth injury as a result, you may be eligible to file a birth injury claim. At TLF: The Medical Injury Law Firm, our experienced Ohio and Kentucky medical malpractice attorneys are ready to help you navigate the intricacies of a birth injury lawsuit so you and your family can receive the maximum compensation you are entitled to get your child everything he or she needs to maximize his or her potential.

Forceps Injury Medical Malpractice Attorneys

Coming to terms with your child’s birth injury is understandably difficult. For a free consultation in your case, call our toll-free number today at (800) 698-4054. You can also reach us at our Kentucky office by calling (859) 578-9130, our Ohio office at (513) 651-4130, or by completing the intake form found on our website.

What are Forceps?

Forceps are metal instruments that are used to assist with the delivery of a baby. These instruments are synced up in conjunction with the mother’s contractions to help the baby pass through the birth canal. A doctor may use the forceps to attempt to grasp and support the infant’s head. The sight of these tools can be unnerving for mothers under duress, but trained medical professionals should be able to apply the proper care so medical errors do not occur. 

There are many different scenarios in which a medical team might employ forceps for assistance during labor. Unfortunately, there are just as many types of birth injuries that can result from improper use of the instrument. That is why it is important to consult an Ohio or Kentucky birth injury lawyer whenever your child is harmed in one of these cases. 

What is a Forceps Delivery?

The medical team may call for a forceps delivery if certain situations arise during the birth process. Some factors that medical professionals take into account include a fluctuation in the baby’s heart rate, the rate of progression for the delivery, the location of the baby in the birth canal, and the previous medical history of the mother. 

Generally, a healthcare professional will attempt an operative vaginal delivery with either forceps or a vacuum extractor before opting for a cesarean section. Both procedures offer life-saving solutions for difficult labors, but also carry the risk of further birth injuries. If you or your child were injured on account of a negligent forceps delivery, do not hesitate to reach out to an experienced Covington, Cincinnati, or Dayton birth injury attorney at TLF. 

Northern Kentucky Forceps Injury Lawyer

Types of Forceps Delivery

Everyone’s body is unique in different ways, so a medical team must have a large variety of forceps to account for every possible scenario. There are over 700 different models of forceps in medical care, and – while they all are visually similar – they serve different fundamental purposes. 

To prevent the possibility of serious injury occurring during birth, forceps are hyper-specialized and curated to their niche. Some of the most common forceps used during labor and delivery include:

  • Simpson’s forceps – Used to support a baby’s head when it has been squeezed by the birth canal.
  • Wrigley’s forceps – Employ short stems to minimize the risk of a uterine rupture.
  • Elliot’s forceps – These forceps are rounded to support a round head.
  • Kielland forceps – Used mainly to rotate the baby within the birth canal.
  • Piper’s forceps – Employ downward-curving stems to support the underside of the baby’s body.

All of these are typically considered life-saving instruments. However, any and all mistakes must be accounted for, especially when it comes to your children. That is why a family should always establish an attorney-client relationship with a birth injury lawyer following forceps delivery malpractice. Our team at TLF has seen all types of birth injury cases in Ohio and Kentucky, and we know what to do to get your family everything you are owed in these unfortunate circumstances.

Forceps Delivery Complications

A forceps delivery is generally a safe procedure and in certain situations can be life-saving during a child’s birth. However, even a seasoned medical professional can make a devastating medical error leading to traumatic injuries. If a doctor failed to properly execute a forceps delivery, there is an increased chance of the potential for preventable birth injuries to develop. 

The types of birth injuries involved vary for both the mother and child. For instance, mothers may experience vaginal tears, uterine rupture, anal or urinary incontinence, and face a higher risk of blood clots following a forceps delivery. The stress of the delivery can also result in a steep spike in the mother’s blood pressure, also known as preeclampsia. This can put both her and the child in even more danger, especially if she already has a pre-established disorder like gestational diabetes.

For the baby, a medical mistake involving forceps can significantly affect their future development. If doctors apply too much force with the instrument or otherwise use it improperly, the child may also incur serious and lasting injuries. Common birth defects that can occur include brain injuries, perinatal stroke, cerebral palsy, brachial plexus injury, bone fractures, and shoulder dystocia. Depending on the extent of the complications, birth injuries may result in extensive future medical expenses as either mother or child may require surgeries, therapies, additional medical care and equipment and more.

Ohio and Kentucky Attorneys for Forceps Injuries

Common Forceps Delivery Injuries

Common birth injuries can range anywhere from facial bruising and lacerations to broken bones or even brain injuries and temporary or permanent paralysis. One of the most serious injuries in these cases is also one of the most common. Cerebral palsy is most commonly caused by a lack of oxygen or blood flow to the brain. This disorder typically affects the baby’s posture, balance, and muscle control. It is usually accompanied by rigid or floppy limbs and uncontrollable, spontaneous motions. Cerebral palsy stems from any interference that affects the development of a baby’s brain, either while in the development stages or as a side effect of birth injuries. 

Other potential birth injuries resulting from the misuse of forceps include:

In extremely unfortunate cases, a child may also suffer fatal injuries following the inappropriate application of forceps during labor and delivery. When this happens, it is highly recommended that the family seek the help of a legal team with experience in both birth injury and wrongful death cases. 

Our team of Ohio and Northern Kentucky wrongful death lawyers at TLF: The Medical Injury Law Firm understands how traumatic this situation is, and we will strive to make sure you get everything you and your family deserve. If you believe you have a medical malpractice claim for the preventable injury or wrongful death of your child, please give us a call as soon as possible. 

If Your Child Received Birth Injuries Due to a Misuse of Forceps, You May Have a Legal Claim

This is – understandably – an overwhelming time in the lives of everyone affected by such a tragedy. In addition to the pain and suffering that comes with a lifelong injury caused by labor and delivery malpractice, families will likely incur steep medical costs from both past and future medical expenses, as well as lost wages and other costs associated with caring for an injured or disabled child.

That is why it is imperative that you establish a relationship with a Northern Kentucky birth injury attorney like those at TLF. If your child sustained a forceps-related injury during delivery, our team of experienced Ohio and Kentucky birth injury lawyers will investigate your claim thoroughly while accounting for all medical records and other related expenses. With a thorough understanding of medical malpractice claims and personal injury law, we will do everything in our power to ensure you are compensated for everything you’re owed.

Ohio Forceps Injury Lawyer

Call the Birth Injury Attorneys at TLF To Learn More About Your Forceps Injury Claim and Other Birth Injury Lawsuits

One of the most prominent anxieties for soon-to-be parents is the possibility of birth injuries occurring to their newborn. The long-term effects of newborn birth injuries include cognitive and behavioral development delays and physical disabilities that can require a lifetime of assistance. Not only that, but birth injury victims also often include the mother, and many families cannot afford to lose a main source of income in addition to paying for the necessary medical care for both the mother and child’s injury. That is why it is important to have a team of medical malpractice attorneys that your family can rely on to work on your behalf.

If you or your child suffers from a birth injury following medical negligence, it is imperative that you hold the appropriate parties accountable. In order to receive the maximum amount of compensation for your birth injury claims, contact an Ohio or Kentucky birth injury attorney at TLF: The Medical Injury Law Firm today. 

For a free consultation in your birth injury case, give us a call at (800) 698-4054 or complete our online intake form.

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We are happy to offer a free consultation to evaluate your case. If you hire us as your legal counsel, we will represent you on a contingency-fee basis. You will pay no attorneys’ fees unless we recover financial damages.