Delivering a newborn baby is a delicate procedure that requires precision and flawless execution from doctors and all medical staff. Any error during the process of childbirth can be catastrophic for both the mother and baby. Injuries suffered at birth can affect the child for the rest of his or her life. Unfortunately, thousands of families in Tennessee and around the country are affected by some form of medical negligence every year.
Medical malpractice lawsuit
In another state, parents filed a medical malpractice lawsuit after alleged negligence by medical staff caused their baby to suffer permanent injuries. It was alleged that the mother was given the drug Pitocin to induce labor. Allegedly, the mother went into excessive uterine activity after an hour. Four hours later, the fetal monitor strips apparently showed the infant became distressed.
The plaintiffs argued that a cesarean section should have been performed at that time and the Pitocin should have been halted. However, the lawsuit claimed this did not happen and it caused the baby to suffer a lack of oxygen which resulted in severe and permanent brain damage. Reportedly, a jury recently sided with the family and awarded them $31.6 million.
What can families do in the aftermath?
When doctors, nurses or other medical staff do not give the appropriate care or make mistakes, it can cause devastating harm to babies. Tennessee families who have experienced birth injuries or any form of medical malpractice should know they have options available to help them during this difficult time. By speaking with an experienced litigator, families can begin the process of obtaining rightful compensation to help pay medical expenses and recover other monetary losses.