When a baby is born, it may experience a mild or severe injury while being delivered. In some cases, the injury may be caused by the negligence of a Washington doctor. For instance, a mother may be given too much anesthesia, and that can have an impact on the baby’s health. It is not uncommon for babies to have fevers or other symptoms if the mother is given an epidural.
A drug called Pitocin is sometimes administered during a delivery as it can help to make the labor easier. However, the drug is not approved by the FDA. Injuries can occur if the wrong dose is given to a patient or if that dose is given too close to delivery. Machines that provide medication to a mother or a vaccine to a baby may not work properly. This may result in the wrong drug being given to the mother or child.
It is not always possible to immediately determine if a baby has experienced a birth injury. In some cases, the impact of the injury is subtle or won’t show up for many years. For example, a child could experience ADD or ADHD because of an injury that he or she experienced in the delivery room. Other injuries can include brain damage or paralysis.
Babies and their family members who experience birth injuries may be entitled to compensation if they were caused by a doctor’s negligence. Damages could include the payment of medical bills and in some cases the award of a sum equal to an estimate of the infant’s projected lost future earnings if the injury is serious enough. Parents who have been harmed in such a manner might want to meet with an attorney in order to learn what recourse might be available.
