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Delivery Mishaps

The Maine delivery mishap attorneys at Peter Thompson & Associates are dedicated to recovering compensation for victims injured during a baby’s delivery because of medical malpractice.

Gestation and delivery are critical periods for the expectant mother and child. Doctors and health care providers have a legal duty to closely monitor both patients during pregnancy and birth. Delivery mishaps can cause devastating birth injuries that will forever impact the child and parents. Showing that error injured the baby is the basis of a medical malpractice claim.

Cerebral palsy, for example, is a preventable injury caused by negligence. Improper use of a vacuum extractor severely damages the baby’s brain, impairing the child’s motor functions. Erb’s palsy is also caused by mistakes during a baby’s delivery that damage a crucial web of nerves known as the brachial plexus. It is easy to injure this fragile neck area, causing permanent paralysis of the child’s upper arm and shoulder. Delivery mishaps cause other injuries, including:

  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Partial or total paralysis
  • Musculoskeletal fractures
  • Mental or cognitive dysfunction
  • Intracranial swelling
  • Scars and forceps bruising
  • Optical or facial hemorrhage
  • Abnormal hematoma or bleeding

In most cases, delivery mistakes are caused by negligence. Health care providers breach a legal duty to patients when their acts or omissions injure the mother or child. Even if their negligence did not directly harm the patient, they may still be liable if it worsened an injury or increased its severity. Common delivery mishaps include:

  • Delayed response to bleeding
  • Dilatory treatment of fetal distress
  • Failure to diagnose birth complications
  • Untimely caesarean section
  • Misuse of vacuum extractor
  • Administration of labor-inducing drugs

Most patients are too intimidated to sue the hospital or physicians; they have to believe that all medical providers do their very best. But delivery mishaps are a fact of life and result in irreversible damage. Even subtle errors during delivery can result in a lifetime of pain. The costs to resuscitate the mother and save the baby alone can be astronomical. Further, innocent parents should not have to bear the cost of caring for a special needs child alone.

Beyond the expensive medical bills, the future costs to accommodate the child’s impairment can financially ruin a family. The physical and mental anguish of providing an accessible home, continuing medical care, and specialized education are only the beginning. A qualified legal professional is critical to prevail in a medical malpractice legal claim. A team of seasoned attorneys and medical experts can present the most compelling case showing all the damages incurred as a result of the delivery. Negligent parties should be held liable for these present and future costs.

If you or your child was injured during delivery, the experienced Maine delivery mishap lawyers at Peter Thompson & Associates can help. Using cutting-edge technology and innovative research tools, we can help your family recover the compensation it deserves. We have access to investigators and board-certified physician consultants to take on the most complex malpractice case. At Peter Thompson & Associates, we know that delivery mishaps are traumatic and are dedicated to maximizing your recovery through trial or settlement. Call our law firm at 1.800.804.2004 for a free consultation or contact us online.


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I feel I was treated with respect and was always 'kept in the loop' of what was happening throughout this process. I felt that I could ask any question and always receive an honest and professional response. K.L., Lewiston
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Although this has been a difficult time, you have made this much easier by your thoughtfulness and professionalism. M.W., Portland
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I would like to thank you for all your help, and taking the time to help me understand things. T.C., South Portland
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I am very satisfied with the great people at [your office]. Especially Wendy Clark and Mrs. Mann. Very happy, very pleased. Thank you. D.M., Arundel
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I was pleased with the level of professionalism and the effectiveness of your team. This was my first exposure to 'a case' and you made the process easy for me. M.D., Kittery
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My brother is an attorney in New York. After my accident 2 years ago I asked him what firm I should go with. He researched and told me to call Peter Thompson and Associates. I followed his recommendation and am glad I did. From the opening bell they were timely, informative, professional AND WARM. Thank you. R.S., South Portland, ME
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