Charlottesville forceps and vacuum extraction injury lawyer representation may be necessary when birth-assisting tools are misused and cause harm to a newborn. Giving birth is often described as miraculous, and for most parents, the health and well-being of their child is the top priority. While many pregnancies and deliveries proceed without complication, injuries can occur when medical professionals use forceps or vacuum extractors improperly during labor.

At the law office of MichieHamlett, our attorneys are prepared to advocate for families facing the devastating consequences of birth injuries. If your newborn has suffered harm due to medical negligence, we can provide the guidance and representation you need. Contact our skilled birth injury attorneys today to learn more about your legal options.

Forceps and Vacuum Extractor Injuries

Forceps and vacuum extractors are two types of medical devices that are often used during the birthing process to help free a newborn from the birth canal. These types of devices are used when a baby’s shoulder is stuck behind the mother’s pelvis, when labor isn’t progressing, or when immediate delivery is necessary. While these devices can be helpful and necessary in many cases, they are often improperly used in some cases. Excessive use of force or unnecessary use of forceps or vacuum extractors can lead to:

  • Facial injuries
  • Brachial plexus injuries
  • Bleeding within the skull
  • External eye trauma
  • Facial palsy
  • Seizures
  • Skull fractures

When doctors misuse forceps or vacuum extractors, the resulting injuries may cause long-term complications that affect both the child’s health and the family’s future.

Filing a Medical Malpractice Claim Following Forceps or Vacuum Extractor Injuries

If your newborn baby has suffered any of the above injury types as a result of the unnecessary or improper use of forceps, a vacuum extractor, or both, you may have grounds to bring forth a medical malpractice claim. In order to win your claim, you’ll need to prove that the doctor breached the medical standard of care owed to you and your child, and that the breach of the standard of care was the proximate cause of harm and subsequent damages your family has suffered, such as medical expenses to treat your child’s injuries.

To prove that a breach of the medical standard of care has occurred, you’ll need to get the expert statements of other doctors of similar training and background who can testify about why the doctor in your case improperly or unnecessarily used the forceps or vacuum extractor. Our lawyers can assist in this process by hiring experts, gathering evidence, organizing your claim documents, and calculating the value of your damages.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Charlottesville Forceps and Vacuum Extraction Injury Lawyer

Charlottesville forceps and vacuum extraction injury lawyer representation is essential when your child suffers harm due to the improper or unnecessary use of birth-assisting tools. At MichieHamlett, we know there is nothing more devastating than preventable injuries to a newborn, and we are committed to helping families pursue full compensation. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with our Charlottesville attorneys and learn how we can support your case.