Common C Section Mistakes and Injuries Due to Oregon Medical Malpractice
Cesarean sections (or c-sections) are considered major surgery, but necessary at times to deliver the baby safely if a vaginal birth is not indicated or there are labor and delivery complications. During a C-section, an incision is made in the mother’s abdomen and uterine wall. The baby is then removed through the opening made by the incision. While many people have c-sections without complications, there are some women that have a c-section and have serious complications. While some of these complications are unavoidable, there are times when serious complications occur as the result of a surgeon or other healthcare provider’s error. C section mistakes can often be very serious types of medical malpractice in Oregon.
Potential Complications From C Section Mistakes
Complications that occur can affect the mother, the baby or both. Examples of some of these complications include the following:
- Internal organ damage
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Nerve damage
- Internal bleeding
- Perforated bowel
- Death
- Brain damage
- Anesthesia reactions
- Amniotic fluid embolism
- Uterine inflammation
- Erb’s palsy (infant), and
- Other injuries our medical malpractice lawyers in Oregon could help you with.
When are C-Sections Indicated?
C-sections are indicated for a variety of reasons. Some c-sections are scheduled or planned, while other c-sections are emergencies. Examples as to why a c-section may be indicated instead of a vaginal birth include the following:
- If labor is not progressing as it should
- If there is a maternal or fetal abnormality in which a vaginal birth is contraindicated
- The baby is in a poor position that will make delivery very difficult or impossible
- The baby is too large for a vaginal birth
- If there is fetal distress
- If there is maternal distress
- Twin or other multiple pregnancy
- Transmissible disease
- Placenta previa
- History of shoulder dystocia
- Primary genital herpes
- Maternal request, due to prior birth trauma or other reason
- Small maternal pelvis
- Failed labor induction
- Umbilical cord abnormalities
How Can C-Section Complications be Caused by Medical Malpractice?
While some complications are unable to be prevented, there are other complications in regard to c-sections that could be prevented. Examples of complications due to medical malpractice include the following:
- Failing to identify signs of fetal distress during a vaginal delivery, leading to a delay in performing a c-section
- Failing to identify signs of maternal distress, leading to a delay in performing a c-section
- Failing to identify signs of fetal distress during a c-section, leading to possible complications for the newborn, include hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), stillbirth, cerebral palsy, brain damage, and many other complications
- Failing to schedule a c-section ahead of time when a c-section is truly indicated due to risks with the mother or baby (i.e. maternal pelvis is too small, baby is too large, placenta previa, risk of communicable disease transmission, etc.)
- Performing the c-section incorrectly, leading to organ damage, internal bleeding oxygen deprivation, infection, newborn lacerations, broken bones
- Error made during the c-section leading to wrongful death
These are just a few of the many examples as to how a c section mistakes and complications can be due to medical malpractice.
Ask Our Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Portland, OR for Help After C Section Mistakes
If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of medical malpractice contact the Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form. We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.
Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Sisters, Madras, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, La Grande, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton, Cottage Grove, Florence, Oregon City, Springfield, Keizer, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Tualatin, West Linn, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Newberg, Roseburg, Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Happy Valley, Tigard, Ashland, Milwakie, Coos Bay, The Dalles, St. Helens, Sherwood, Central Point, Canby, Troutdale, Hermiston, Silverton, Hood River, Newport, Prineville, Astoria, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.
We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take medical malpractice cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.
