Emergency C-Section Malpractice Lawyer In New Mexico
Was an emergency C-section performed? Was it needed? Why wasn’t it done? These are questions parents ask when a baby is born with brain damage caused by a lack of oxygen during birth or when a baby suffers physical injury because of being forcibly pulled from the birth canal. At The Law Office of Salazar, Sullivan & Jasionowski, an Albuquerque emergency C-section lawyer can help find the solutions for your medical malpractice concerns.
At The Law Office of Salazar, Sullivan & Jasionowski, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, we recognize the critical nature of emergency C-sections and the severe consequences that can arise from malpractice during these procedures. If you or your child suffered injuries due to mishandling of an emergency C-section, our dedicated team is committed to providing expert legal support. We serve clients throughout New Mexico, including Santa Fe, and are here to help you navigate through these challenging times.
What Is An Emergency C-Section?
An emergency cesarean section (C-section) is a surgical procedure used to deliver a baby quickly when waiting for a vaginal birth would endanger the life or health of the child and/or mother. Doctors may perform an emergency C-section in various situations, including labor complications, signs of fetal distress, such as an abnormal fetal heart rate or when the labor is not progressing normally. The urgency of these situations requires an immediate and precise medical response to ensure the safety of both mother and baby.
How Medical Errors During C-Sections Can Cause Birth Injuries
Even though emergency C-sections are sometimes necessary to prevent complications, errors during the procedure can lead to severe injuries. Common medical errors include:
- Delayed C-sections: Failure to timely decide to perform a C-section can result in prolonged distress for the baby, increasing the risk of brain damage and other complications.
- Surgical mistakes: Improper surgical technique can cause severe harm to both the mother and the baby. This can include lacerations or a failure to manage surgical complications effectively.
- Anesthesia errors: Incorrect administration or management of anesthesia during the procedure can lead to various complications, affecting both mother and child.
- Improper fetal monitoring: Failing to adequately monitor the fetus’s condition during labor and delivery can lead to missed signs of distress and inappropriate medical responses.
Common injuries can include serious harm to the mother and the baby. The mother may face excessive bleeding, infections, surgical injuries to organs and anesthesia-related complications. Harm to babies can include oxygen deprivation leading to brain injuries, physical trauma during delivery causing nerve damage and other birth injuries.
Fetal Monitors Can Detect Tachycardia And Heart Deceleration
Fetal monitors are an important tool in assuring doctors that a fetus is progressing well in the birthing process. However, when the fetal monitor shows a deceleration of the heart rate or a prolonged fast heart rate (fetal tachycardia), the doctor needs to take the appropriate actions to address a birthing complication.
Emergency C-sections cost more than vaginal deliveries, but that is not a good reason for placing a baby at risk. Failure to do a C-section (cesarean) or a delayed C-section can cost a baby a lifetime of severe brain damage because of cerebral hypoxia.
A baby should not be without oxygen for any period of time. Did the doctor act appropriately? There are accepted standards of care in the medical community. When a doctor fails to read the fetal monitor and takes steps to protect a baby from injury, that is medical malpractice. Signs of fetal distress can also indicate that the baby is too large for the birth canal or badly positioned for a safe delivery.
Contact Us To Discuss Your Case
At The Law Office of Salazar, Sullivan & Jasionowski in Albuquerque, our medical malpractice attorneys know how to review medical records and use this data to support a birth injury claim. We consult with experts to determine what happened and why. Contact 505-349-4003 today to learn more about how we can help you.