Forcep & Vacuum Extraction Injuries

New York Birth Injury Attorneys

Emotions run high when a child is born. Most of the time, this is one of the happiest days in a family鈥檚 life. However, a difficult delivery can bring a lot of stress for everyone involved. If a baby gets stuck in the birth canal or undergoes other forms of serious distress, the use of medical tools may be necessary to advance the delivery. If a medical professional is negligent in their use of delivery tools such as forceps or vacuum extractors, the infant can become injured. Of course, this can completely devastate new parents. Parents who have been negatively impacted by a birth injury due to medical negligence may want to consider their legal options. Attorney Mark L. Bodner is experienced in fighting on behalf of families who have suffered unimaginable pain due to medical negligence. If you need an experienced birth injury attorney, contact our firm today.

Why do doctors use forceps & vacuum extractors in New York?

During a complicated birth, the medical professionals assisting may need to turn to medical tools in order to help the mother complete the delivery. That being said, medical professionals typically cannot tell whether forceps or vacuum extractors will have to be used before the delivery. A few of the reasons that a medical professional may have to use delivery assistant tools include the following:

  • A baby that is very large may not be able to move through the birth canal effectively
  • If a baby is stuck in the birth canal for more than three hours
  • Babies that are in a breech or transverse position
  • If the mother is too exhausted to continue during labor
  • The baby shows signs of fetal distress and needs to be removed from the birth canal as soon as possible

If a baby is not positioned correctly in the birth canal, the medical staff may have to use forceps to either turn the infant or pull it through. Unfortunately, when the forceps are not used properly or are placed on the baby鈥檚 head incorrectly, the baby can become injured. A few injuries that are commonly attributed to forceps can include:

  • Erb鈥檚 Palsy
  • Brain hemorrhages
  • Fetal stroke
  • Skull fracture
  • Disfigurement
  • Injury to the mother

If a vacuum extractor needs to be used, it is usually because the mother is too tired to continue delivering or the baby gets stuck in the birth canal. Some of the injuries that can be attributed to a vacuum extractor can include the following:

  • Erb鈥檚 Palsy
  • Fetal stroke
  • Brain hemorrhages
  • Skull fracture
  • Injury to the mother

Contact a New York City Birth Injury Attorney

Mark L. Bodner, P.C. has over 35 years of experience providing clients with quality legal assistance when they are facing the devastating impacts of a birth injury due to medical negligence. The misuse of forceps and vacuum extractors can cause significant injuries to an infant and the mother. Our firm is here to guide you through this difficult time and fight for maximum compensation on your behalf. Contact our firm for a free consultation.

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