One of the most wonderful and joyous occasions in the lives of Delaware parents is the birth of their children. Childbirth is an extensive process, and one that must be handled with care and precision. Any mistake made during childbirth can result in birth injuries that may impact the child for the rest of his or her life. A mother in another state recently received a over $73 million from a lawsuit that was filed after her child was injured during birth.
It was alleged that a botched childbirth left the woman’s infant son with permanent brain damage as well as other injuries. According to the claim, the mother was 36 years old at the time of her son’s birth and also suffered from diabetes. Because of this, the woman was at risk for delivering a larger baby and should have received several ultrasound exams during the course of her pregnancy, the lawsuit asserted. Allegedly, the woman did not receive the needed examinations, causing doctors to underestimate the baby’s weight.
During childbirth, the infant became stuck because his shoulders were too wide and he suffered nearly 10 minutes without oxygen. The woman’s doctor then applied an extraction device to the infant and forced him through the birth canal, ripping apart the nerves that controlled the infant’s right arm, the lawsuit said. The plaintiffs say the boy will never be able to live independently due to his permanent brain damage and limited use of his right arm. The jury sided with the family and awarded them $73.2 million.
The moment of birth is arguably the most vulnerable time in a person’s life. This wonderful moment can quickly turn to tragedy when birth injuries occur. Parents in Delaware who have been affected by negligence during childbirth could benefit from discussions with an experienced attorney. A successfully litigated lawsuit could result in much-needed compensation to assist families with medical expenses and other monetary losses.