Your New Jersey Obstetrical Malpractice Lawyers
Mothers put their full trust for their well being in the hands of their doctor. Obstetricians (OB/GYNs) follow their patients from the early stages of pregnancy to the birth of the child. Visits to an Obstetrician during pregnancy can exceed the total number of visits to any other doctor in a woman’s lifetime. A huge bond of trust develops between a mother and her Obstetrician over the course of nine months.
When something goes wrong with the mother or the child, it can be a devastating and life-altering experience. When that harm is the direct result of negligence then you are dealing with an instance of Obstetrical Malpractice.
Is it Medical Malpractice?
Complications may be an obvious immediate impact or more subtle with damage evolving over time. Our wish is that no family should experience the devastation of a serious medical incident during pregnancy or childbirth. The unfortunate reality is that negligent errors happen and can affect people for the rest of their life.
The following conditions may exist in an Obstetrical Malpractice case:
- Poor management of pregnancy
- Errors in reading results of ultrasound screenings
- Failure to provide appropriate diagnostic or genetic tests where warranted
- Unnecessary Cesarean section or failure to perform Cesarean section
- Delay in recognizing and treating fetal distress
- Poor monitoring of the mother’s and/or baby’s condition during delivery
- Medication errors with adverse effects on the mother or baby
- Errors during a vaginal delivery
- Failure of doctor to be present at time of delivery
- Obstetrician does not realize fetus is larger than average or one that is in a breech position and pulls too hard causing birth trauma and Erb’s Palsy
- Failure of the Obstetrician and other medical staff to carefully watch for signs of a fetus in trouble
Though we may question what went wrong, we often don’t question where the fault lies and could this error have been preventable? As patients, we seek the advice and professional guidance of those we expect to have greater knowledge and expertise in a particular field. Obstetricians are trained to deal with difficult deliveries. A doctor should recognize when a fetus is at risk and take immediate action. When something does go wrong, it is important to seek the advice of a trusted attorney.
Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.