Seattle Forceps and Vacuum Injury Lawyers
Compassionate Representation for Birth Injuries Due to Forceps and Vacuum Delivery
It can be heartbreaking for a parent to watch their child suffer due to a forceps or vacuum delivery gone wrong. Birth injuries due to forceps or vacuum delivery can range from nerve damage, broken bones, and lacerations to more severe complications such as cerebral palsy, paralysis, and even death in extreme cases.
In some cases, these injuries can be a result of medical negligence or mistakes made during labor and delivery. Parents can feel completely helpless when faced with such a tragedy. If your child was injured due to a forceps and vacuum injury that may have been a result of medical malpractice, you may be entitled to financial compensation.
At Schroeter Goldmark & Bender, we understand the struggles that parents face after such an injury, and we strive to provide compassionate representation for those affected by medical negligence. Our team of experienced birth injury lawyers will work diligently and fight for those affected by these traumatic events to receive fair compensation for the hardships they have endured. We will thoroughly investigate your case to identify any negligence or breach of duty on the part of your healthcare provider. If we find grounds for a successful claim, we will aggressively pursue justice on your behalf in court. We are here to fight for you every step of the way so that your family can focus on what’s important: your child’s recovery and well-being.
Understanding Forceps and Vacuum Injuries
During labor, healthcare providers often use forceps and vacuum devices to aid in the baby's delivery. Although these tools can be effective, they come with potential risks for both the mother and the infant. Injuries resulting from the use of forceps and vacuums can vary widely, from minor lacerations and bruising to more serious conditions like skull fractures or nerve injuries.
It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of forceps and vacuum injuries, which may include:
- Facial bruising or swelling in the baby
- Head injuries or skull fractures
- Nerve damage leading to paralysis or weakness
- Bruising or lacerations on the mother's pelvic area
Immediate medical assistance is crucial if you believe that you or your baby experienced a vacuum or forceps injury during delivery. At Schroeter Goldmark & Bender, our experienced forceps and vacuum injury attorneys in Seattle are ready to offer empathetic legal guidance as you pursue justice and the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
What Kind Of Compensation Can Be Pursued?
To mitigate the financial and emotional impact on your family, various forms of compensation can be sought in cases of forceps and vacuum birth injuries. As experienced forceps and vacuum birth injury attorneys in Seattle, we understand the complexities involved and strive to secure the maximum compensation for you.
Compensation may encompass medical expenses, such as surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing care necessitated by the incident. Economic damages might include lost wages if a parent is required to provide long-term care or if the child’s future earning capacity is compromised. Additionally, important aspects of a claim could involve non-economic damages like emotional distress, pain and suffering, and diminished quality of life.
Our forceps and vacuum birth injury attorneys in Seattle are ready to meticulously evaluate your case to ensure that all potential compensation avenues are considered, providing you with the support needed to rebuild your life. If your child has suffered an injury, do not hesitate to reach out to Schroeter Goldmark & Bender.
How Forceps and Vacuum Injuries Happen
When a medical professional uses forceps or a vacuum in the delivery room, it is typically done because of an emergency situation. The use of forceps or vacuum can be a necessary measure to ensure the safety of both mother and baby when there are complications during labor. Unfortunately, these tools can cause serious injury if not used properly by a skilled practitioner.
In some cases where a forceps or vacuum delivery has resulted in birth injuries, these injuries may have been caused by medical negligence or errors on the part of healthcare providers. These errors could include:
- Failing to recognize signs of distress in either mother or baby
- Misusing forceps or vacuums during the delivery
- Using excessive pressure while delivering with these instruments
- Improper positioning of the instruments during extraction from the birth canal
If you think your child’s injury was caused by any form of medical malpractice related to forceps or vacuum delivery, contact our team at Schroeter Goldmark & Bender online or call us at (206) 208-0318 so that we can help you explore your legal options further.
Injuries Caused by Forceps and Vacuum Deliveries
The range of injuries caused by forceps and vacuum deliveries can often be devastating and life-altering for the baby and their family. These kinds of injuries can include:
- Cerebral palsy – caused by hypoxia (lack of oxygen) during delivery which can result in neurological deficits and physical damage
- Traumatic Brain Injury – injury to the brain or spinal cord due to improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors
- Hematoma - a collection of blood outside of the blood vessels, caused by trauma or complications from forceps or vacuum delivery can occur in the scalp, skull, neck, and other areas of the baby's body due to excessive pressure during birth
- Intracranial hemorrhage - the use of forceps or vacuum delivery during childbirth can cause bleeding inside the skull, which can lead to brain damage and even death in extreme cases
- Retinal hemorrhage - pressure placed on the baby's head during extraction can damage blood vessels located within the retina of the eye, leading to bleeding, vision impairment, and even blindness
- Brachial plexus injury – the network of nerves including the nerves of the neck that control movement and sensation in the arms, shoulders, and hands can be damaged during extraction, which can lead to physical impairment and even paralysis
- Broken bones – in severe cases, the baby’s skull may fracture under pressure from the forceps/vacuum, leading to traumatic brain injury or even death in extreme cases
- Lacerations – due to improper positioning of instruments while extracting from the birth canal, leaving scars, and damaging tissue
It is important for parents to be aware that these risks do not always have immediate signs or symptoms. Babies should still be monitored for any signs of delayed effects such as seizures, difficulty breathing, slowed development, or coordination problems that may indicate an underlying birth injury. Early detection is key for proper treatment and recovery.
Legal Advocacy for Washington Birth Injury Victims
At Schroeter Goldmark & Bender, we believe that every family deserves justice for the hardships endured due to a forceps or vacuum delivery gone awry. Our team of experienced attorneys will fight hard for those affected by these traumatic events to receive the justice they deserve. Our firm has decades of experience representing families impacted by birth injuries due to forceps or vacuum delivery. We understand how difficult it is for parents when their child suffers from medical malpractice, which is why our team strives to provide personalized attention and support throughout the entire process.
Our team will relentlessly fight for justice on behalf of you and your family.
If you think your child has been affected by a substandard medical procedure involving a forceps and vacuum delivery that led to an injury or disorder, contact us through our online form or call us at (206) 208-0318 so we can discuss how we might best help you get the justice you deserve.
“We couldn't have found a better team of people to act on our behalf.”
