C-section

Injuries caused by a negligently executed Cesarean section can be devastating. In many cases, the parents can see that the delivery is not going as planned yet are powerless to help. Fortunately, in many instances, people who are injured by the negligence of medical professionals are able to recover compensation for their losses.

In a C-section, an incision is made in the mother’s lower abdomen and uterus in order to deliver the baby. Some C-sections are planned and some are unplanned.

Planned C-sections are used when:

• The mother has an infection that could reach the infant during birth
• The infant is in a dangerous position close to the delivery date
• There is more than one infant
• The mother has delivered via C-section previously
• The mother is in a weakened state

Unplanned C-sections are used when:

• Labor is delayed to the extent that it threatens a life
• The mother or infant shows distress signs
• The umbilical cord wraps around the infant’s neck
• The infant is too large for vaginal delivery

When one of the causes of an unplanned C-section presents itself during delivery. A doctor typically has a limited period of time in which to begin the surgery.

Failure to begin the surgery a timely manner, usually within 30 minutes from the decision to operate, can result in serious complications for the mother and infant. This can constitute negligence on the part of the doctor and be grounds for a lawsuit.

Common injuries to the infant:

• Lacerations, abrasions and scarring sustained when the doctor made the C-section incisions that were too deep.
• Oxygen deprivation due to delaying a C-section. This injury can result in developmental problems or cerebral palsy.
• Erb’s palsy. This condition is caused by damage to the brachial plexus in the infant’s shoulder. It typically occurs when a doctor should have elected to perform a C-section, but instead used too much force when dislodging the infant from the womb.
• Premature birth will occur if the doctor chooses to perform a C-section before the baby is ready to leave the womb.
• Death of the infant can result in rare cases.

Common injuries to the mother:

• Excessive blood loss caused by cutting the uterus.
• Infections caused by improperly cleaned tools or failure to give antibiotics.
• Blood clots are more likely during C-sections.
• Bladder and bowel lacerations.
• Anesthesia-related injuries, such as a drop in blood pressure or feeling too much pain.

These injuries are serious and painful. The potential injuries to the infant can be long-lasting and require care for a lifetime.

The injuries from a negligent C-section can be costly, and the family of the injured child should not have pay for these injuries alone. The attorney at our law firm fights hard for injured infants and mothers to get the medical care and other compensation that they deserve.

Kilo Flynn attorneys have worked on C-section cases throughout Missouri and Illinois. Our clients reside in the Missouri counties of St. Louis, St. Charles, Lincoln, Jefferson, Franklin and Crawford, and the Illinois counties of Madison, St. Clair and Monroe. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 314-647-8910.