Baltimore Forceps Injury Lawyers

Forceps-Assisted Delivery Errors 

In some cases, medical providers must utilize various assistive devices to aid in the birth of a child. Forceps—a medical tool that looks similar to tongs—are commonly used when an unborn child is lodged within the birth canal. Without proper delivery assistance, the unborn child can begin to exhibit signs of fetal distress and may suffer oxygen deprivation, which can lead to an array of complications. However, when forceps are used improperly, both the child and the mother are at risk of serious injury.

If you, your child, or your loved one suffered a forceps injury during childbirth, you may be entitled to compensation. At Brown & Barron, our Baltimore forceps injury attorneys have extensive experience representing clients in all types of birth injury cases. We have access to high-tech tools, medical experts, and other resources used to effectively prove our clients’ cases. As your legal team, we are ready to aggressively advocate for you and the full compensation you are owed.

Learn more during a complimentary consultation. Call (410) 698-1717 or contact us online today.

When Do Medical Providers Use Forceps to Delivery Babies? 

Although the use of forceps during childbirth is relatively common, it is still considered non-routine. Medical providers should only use forceps to aid in delivery in certain circumstances.

A medical provider may utilize forceps delivery in the following situations: 

• The unborn child is stuck in the birth canal
• The unborn child has begun to show signs of fetal distress (change of heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels, etc.) 
• Labor is not progressing properly or at all 
• The mother is too tired to continue pushing or is otherwise unable to push 
• The mother has certain health conditions, such as heart disease or hypertension (high blood pressure) that could lead to complications 

When used properly, forceps can prevent serious birth injuries to an unborn child who has started to show signs of fetal distress. However, improper forceps use can have the opposite effect; it may lead to moderate or severe injury to the unborn child and/or the mother. 

When Should Medical Providers Avoid Using Forceps to Delivery a Baby? 

Just as there are certain times when medical providers should utilize forceps to safely deliver an unborn child, there are other instances in which forceps delivery is not advised.

Generally speaking, medical providers should avoid a forceps delivery when: 

• The medical provider does not know the position of the unborn child’s head
• The unborn child’s head has not reached the middle of the birth canal
• The unborn child has entered the birth canal arm- or shoulder-first
• The unborn child cannot safely fit through the mother’s pelvis
• The unborn child has certain medical conditions, such as weakened bones or a bleeding disorder, that could lead to complications

Medical providers have a responsibility to know when to use forceps delivery and when forceps delivery is not appropriate. When forceps delivery is not safe, medical providers should advise alternative options, such as vacuum delivery or a C-section. Failure to uphold this standard of care may constitute medical malpractice. 

What Types of Birth Injuries Can Be Caused by Improper Use of Forceps?

Improper forceps delivery can lead to all types of birth injuries, both to unborn children and mothers. 

Some of the more common birth injuries suffered by unborn babies due to forceps errors include: 

• Bone fractures
• Face and eye injuries 
• Facial paralysis 
• Spinal cord injuries
• Head and brain injuries 
• Oxygen deprivation (hypoxia, anoxia, etc.)
• Brachial plexus injuries
• Nerve damage
• Cephalohematoma 
• Cuts, lacerations, and contusions 

These and other forceps-related injuries increase the risk of various complications, such as birth asphyxia, Erb’s palsy, cerebral palsy, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, bleeding in the skull, bleeding on the brain, jaundice, seizures, and even fetal death. 

Meanwhile, mothers may suffer the following injuries due to improper forceps delivery: 

• Perineal tears 
• Vaginal/rectal tears 
• Blood clots 
• Temporary or lasting incontinence 
• Bladder injuries 
• Uterine rupture 
• Weakened pelvic muscles and ligaments 

As a result, mothers may be at a higher risk of serious and even life-threatening complications, such as pelvic organ prolapse, heart attack, stroke, excessive bleeding (hemorrhage), and infection. 

Speak to an experienced attorney at our firm today about your legal rights and options; call (410) 698-1717 or contact us online. 

DETERMINING WHETHER YOU HAVE A FORCEPS INJURY CASE

If you, your child, or your loved one suffered an injury during a forceps delivery or was diagnosed with a related health condition after a forceps delivery, you may be entitled to compensation. To determine whether you have a case, you must not only prove that you or your loved one was injured but also that the injury was the result of a medical provider’s failure to uphold the standard of care. This can be extremely difficult to do without the help of a knowledgeable legal professional. 

At Brown & Barron, our Baltimore forceps injury attorneys are well-versed in birth injury claims involving improper use of forceps and forceps delivery errors. We work with experienced medical professionals and other experts to evaluate available evidence and identify connections between medical providers’ negligence and our clients’ injuries. By developing innovative legal strategies and powerful, evidence-based claims, we are able to aggressively seek maximum compensation for the injured and their families.

We are available 24/7 to assist you.