Free Case Evaluation
South Carolina Attorneys Aggressively Represent Your Hypoxia Claim
Choose an experienced attorney to advocate for your family in Rock Hill, Anderson, Columbia, Sumter, and Georgetown
Labor and delivery is a delicate process. The health and wellbeing of the fetus largely depends on the actions of the doctor and the ability to render timely emergency services when necessary. However, the physicians we trust do not always meet the standards of proper medical care, resulting in extreme pain and suffering for a family. One of the most common consequences of obstetrical malpractice is hypoxia, which occurs when the baby’s brain does not receive enough oxygen.
When the actions of a medical professional result in a birth injury, the experienced South Carolina hypoxia birth injury attorneys of McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, are here to provide you with the representation you deserve.
Free Case Evaluation
What is hypoxia?
Hypoxia occurs when a part of the body receives an inadequate amount of oxygen. Unfortunately, this is a condition that commonly occurs during the birthing process. Some conditions that may lead to a hypoxia birth injury include:
- Pinching of the umbilical cord. If the cord becomes kinked or restricted during labor, the baby’s oxygen supply can quickly diminish. While a fetus is meant to sustain some oxygen deficiency during delivery, prolonged periods are problematic.
- Prolapsed umbilical cord. This occurs when the cord drops through the open cervix into the vagina before the baby moves through the birth canal. The danger in this situation is that the infant’s body may compress the umbilical cord when it moves through the vagina, causing a loss of adequate oxygen.
- Wrapping of the umbilical cord around the baby’s neck. If the umbilical cord wraps around the baby’s neck, it may constrict the movement of oxygen through the cord into the infant’s body.
These various birth complications cause the baby to stop breathing during or immediately following the birth. This keeps the brain from receiving adequate oxygen, which eventually leads to the destruction of vital brain cells. Seizures, developmental delays, and cerebral palsy may result. Hypoxia is also the cause of about a third of all infant deaths.
Hypoxia and medical malpractice
While there are many circumstances that may lead to hypoxia, it unfortunately happens all too often at the hands of a negligent doctor or medical staff. Some physician actions that may lead to hypoxia include:
- Failure to adequately monitor the wellbeing of the fetus. Fetal monitoring systems are in place to alert medical staff about potential complications with the fetus during labor. It is the responsibility of the physician and nursing staff to review the monitor and adequately react to any problems. When they fail to meet this responsibility, the infant may experience hypoxia.
- Failure to perform a C-section in a timely manner. When a complication presents itself during labor, the attending doctor needs to make timely decisions about the best way to proceed. If the appropriate solution is a C-section, delays in starting the procedure may have tragic results if the infant is not receiving enough oxygen.
- Failure to adequately diagnose a medical condition in the infant or the mother. Prenatal doctor visits provide obstetricians ample opportunity to screen pregnant women for medical problems and treat them accordingly. When a physician fails to diagnose a condition in the mother, there may be negative implications for the infant. Pregnancy-induced hypertension and diabetes can both lead to birthing situations where the baby suffers from hypoxia.
Birth injury cases are challenging to pursue due to the vast amount of medical evidence and documentation involved. In addition, court rules dictate what procedures must be followed and in what order. An experienced South Carolina birth injury lawyer assists you through the process. Our attorneys work with a variety of medical experts who assist with the review of medical records and provide professional input on proper industry standards. They may also serve as expert witnesses during trial to give the court a comprehensive understanding of the claim for compensation.
If your baby suffered hypoxia during labor, contact our South Carolina birth injury lawyers today
Hypoxia is a serious condition that can cause catastrophic harm to your baby. If medical negligence or malpractice caused your baby to suffer, get the help you need as soon as possible. McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, has been litigating in the courts of South Carolina for more than 20 years. Call 803-327-7800 or fill out our contact form to make an appointment for a free case evaluation in Rock Hill, Anderson, Columbia, Sumter, or Georgetown.