Birth Injuries & Maternal Morbidity

Birth Injury Lawyer Hackensack, NJ

Finding the Right New Jersey Birth Injury Lawyer 

A skilled Hackensack, NJ birth injury lawyer is familiar with questions like: what happens when one of the most joyously anticipated experiences of life goes tragically wrong? The pain must be unbearable. How do we know? Because we have represented families who have lost a baby or a mother from medical malpractice. Because we have represented the babies and the parents of those babies who were injured by negligence at the time of childbirth or because of decisions made by doctors during the pregnancy. If you have suffered a birth injury, do not wait to contact a lawyer like one from O’Cathain Law Group.

They have told us their stories and shared their losses with us.

Our attorneys have handled cases involving wrongful birth, negligent infertility care, negligent OB/GYN care, negligent maternal fetal medicine care, negligent anesthesia care during delivery, and negligent NICU nursing care. We have experts who screen those cases for us and identify the medical providers who are responsible for the medical malpractice.

When the Mother Passes Away – Maternal Mortality

According to the CDC, in 2020, 861 women in the United States died from maternal causes. That is 23.8 deaths per live births: https://www.cdc.gov/. The risk of a mother passing away can increase much higher than that depending on race and the age of the mother. In New Jersey, the rates are even higher with a maternal mortality rate of 36.2 per 100,000 live births in 2022. For black women in New Jersey, the maternal mortality rate is 132 per 100,000 live births.

Most maternal deaths are preventable when the doctors practice good medicine.

Some of the most common causes of the mother dying as a result of malpractice include the following:

• Preeclampsia
• Anesthesia Error
• C-Section Mistake
• Delayed Delivery of the Baby
• Failure to Manage Blood Pressure
• Infection

A certified civil trial attorney in New Jersey who handles medical malpractice cases is the best person to investigate if the death of the mother was caused by negligent doctors.

When the Baby is Injured or Dies – Birth Injury and Infant Mortality

According to the CDC, in 2020, the infant mortality rate was 5.4 per 1000 live births. And 3% of babies are born with a birth defect: https://www.cdc.gov/.

Sadly, some babies are not able to survive in the womb, are a serious threat to the health of the mother or are unable to survive delivery for reasons that are not related to the medical care provided by the doctors. Also, most birth defects have nothing to do with malpractice.

However, some infant deaths and birth defects are caused by medical malpractice and negligence, as a Hackensack birth injury lawyer is highly familiar with. If the death or injury was caused by medical malpractice, New Jersey recognizes the right to be compensated for the losses suffered.

Examples of Medical Malpractice that can cause the death of the baby include:

• Delayed Delivery of the Baby
• C-Section Error
• Maternal Pregnancy Complications that are Not Treated

Examples of Medical Malpractice that cause injury to the baby include:

• Delayed Delivery of the Baby
• Failure to do a C-Section
• Negligent C-Section – such as with the forceps and vacuum extractor
• Negligent Vaginal Delivery
• Maternal Pregnancy Complications that are Not Treated

Significant birth injuries can result in terrible physical injury and a lifetime of expenses for medical and life care.

Finding the right New Jersey Birth Injury Lawyer for you and your family:

More than most areas of personal injury and medical malpractice, it is important to find a birth injury lawyer who will properly represent your family and be sensitive to the hurt you are feeling. You will not get those answers from the doctors or the hospital unless you hire a lawyer and file a lawsuit.

Our New Jersey certified civil trial lawyers have experience litigating these cases and comforting families through the litigation process.

Why a New Jersey Birth Injury Lawyer?

• You are entitled to answers as to what went wrong: from doctors, from nurses, from the hospital.
• You are entitled to understand why the birth did not play out as the joyous experience you or your family were anticipating.
• If there was medical malpractice committed by the doctors and nurses, you may be entitled to financial compensation.

Financial compensation is how we attempt to reorder the world and make those who committed this malpractice pay through their insurance coverage. Money is how we try to make things easier for those left behind, in terms of medical expenses, additional living expenses, loss of future income, and loss of enjoyment of life. Money will not replace what has been lost, but the lawsuit will help you get answers and money will attempt to balance the scales of justice. And hopefully that will prevent another family from suffering the same loss.

We’re here for you at this unthinkable time. Call (201) 488-1161, fill out the intake form, or email a dedicated Personal Injury paralegal to speak with a Hackensack birth injury lawyer at O’Cathain Law Group.

Identifying Medical Malpractice In Birth Injury Cases: A Compassionate Perspective

The occurrence of a birth injury can be emotionally distressing for families, and in some instances, it may be attributed to medical malpractice, as a Hackensack, NJ birth injury lawyer understands. It is essential to approach this sensitive topic with compassion while recognizing the signs that may indicate negligence. The team at O’Cathain Law Group aims to provide support and guidance to affected families by shedding light on the indications of medical malpractice in birth injury cases and help with fighting for compensation.

Birth Injuries And Medical Malpractice

When a medical professional fails to monitor fetal distress, it can be a potential sign of medical malpractice during childbirth. Vigilant monitoring of the baby’s heart rate and oxygen levels throughout labor and delivery is crucial to ensuring the well-being of both the mother and the baby.

What Can Cause Birth Injuries?

The improper use of assisted delivery tools, such as forceps or vacuum extractors, can also be indicative of medical malpractice, as a Hackensack birth injury lawyer knows. When these instruments are applied incorrectly, they can cause severe harm to the infant, resulting in injuries like nerve damage, fractures, or skull trauma. Compassionate healthcare providers prioritize the safe and careful utilization of these tools.

Another indication of potential medical malpractice is the mismanagement of prolonged labor. If healthcare providers fail to appropriately manage and address prolonged labor, it can lead to complications such as oxygen deprivation, meconium aspiration syndrome, or umbilical cord issues. Diligent monitoring of labor progression and prompt interventions are essential for mitigating the risks associated with prolonged labor.

Avoiding C-Sections

Failure to perform a timely cesarean section (C-section) when necessary is another sign that medical malpractice may have occurred. Delaying or neglecting a required C-section can have severe consequences. Compassionate healthcare providers promptly assess and respond to signs of fetal distress, placental abruption, or umbilical cord complications that warrant an immediate surgical delivery.

Poor Postnatal Care

Inadequate postnatal care can also indicate potential medical malpractice in birth injury cases. This includes insufficient monitoring of the newborn for complications, delayed recognition of infection or other medical conditions, or failure to provide necessary treatment and support. Comprehensive and timely postnatal care is crucial for detecting and addressing any potential birth injuries, ensuring that the baby receives appropriate medical attention, and that families receive the support they need during the recovery process.

In the face of birth injuries, families dealing with potential medical malpractice need compassionate support. It is essential to acknowledge the emotional toll they experience during this difficult time. By providing a compassionate approach, we can offer reassurance and empathy while guiding families through the process of seeking legal assistance. Understanding the signs of medical malpractice, such as inadequate monitoring, improper tool usage, mismanagement of labor, delayed interventions, and insufficient postnatal care, empowers families to advocate for their rights. Together, with compassionate legal representation, they can seek justice and pursue the necessary compensation to support the child’s ongoing care and secure a better future.

Get Legal Help Now

Approaching the identification of medical malpractice in birth injury cases with compassion is vital for affected families. By recognizing signs such as failure to monitor fetal distress, improper use of assisted delivery tools, mismanagement of prolonged labor, delayed C-sections, and inadequate postnatal care, families can seek appropriate legal support while navigating the emotional challenges associated with birth injuries. When you are ready to move forward with your claim, contact O’Cathain Law Group to speak with our Hackensack birth injury lawyer.