Approximately thirty percent of all United States births are via Caesarian Section (C-Section). Some of those C-Sections are planned. For example, if a woman has previously given birth by C-Section or a baby is breach then a doctor may schedule a Caesarian Section even before the woman goes into labor.
However, some C-Sections are not planned, but are equally necessary. Sometimes the need for a C-Section does not present itself until a woman is already in labor and the mother is in danger or the baby is showing signs of fetal distress. It is often the delay in these types of C-Sections that creates dangerous situations.
The failure to recognize that the baby is in fetal distress
The failure to closely monitor the mother and child during late pregnancy and labor
The failure of the hospital or doctor to secure an operating room and perform the procedure quickly enough
What Types of Birth Injuries Can Result From a Delayed C- Section?
There is a wide range of delayed C-Section birth injuries. The worst-case scenario is that the delay kills the baby. Short of that, the child may suffer a permanent brain injury, such as cerebral palsy, from a lack of oxygen, or a permanent disability such as Erb's Palsy from a difficult delivery.
Contact a New York Birth Injury Attorney for More Information
If your child has suffered a birth injury because of the failure to perform a C-section or a delay in performing an emergency C-section, then your child may be entitled to damages. We encourage you to contact a Manhattan birth injury lawyer at The Pagan Law Firm if your child was hurt by the delay of a C-Section in New York or New Jersey. We can be reached at 1-800-PAGAN-911 or via our online contact form for more information.