Queens Failure to Respond to Fetal Distress Injury

The birth of a baby is a complicated process. There are a number of complications that could arise. One common complication is fetal distress, also known as hypoxia. Modern medical technology allows doctors and nurses to monitor the condition of the fetus before and during labor and delivery. Using a fetal monitor, the medical staff can determine whether or the not fetus is in distress by tracking the baby’s heart rate. For example, monitoring can show whether or not a baby is receiving enough oxygen. If monitoring indicates that the baby is in distress, then it is up to the medical staff to take the appropriate steps to make sure that the baby remains healthy. Failure to properly monitor the fetus and respond to fetal distress could result in a serious birth injury. For example, if a fetus suffers from a lack of oxygenation the baby may suffer a brain injury or respiratory problems. In the same way that a victim of a car accident or some other type of serious accident can seek damages from the person who caused the accident, New York law allows victims of negligent medical professionals to seek damages as well. If you or your baby suffered a serious injury as a result of a failure of the medical staff to respond to fetal distress, it is important that you immediately contact an experienced Queens birth injury lawyer who will help you pursue compensation for your injuries and your child’s injuries through a medical malpractice lawsuit.

One of the most common types of fetal distress is related to lack of oxygenation due to a problem with the placenta or a problem with the umbilical cord. Problems that can be detected through proper monitoring include:

• Brain injury
• Improper fetal development
• Erratic or decelerating fetal heartbeat
• Improper fetal positioning
• Lack of movement
• An umbilical cord wrapped around the baby’s neck
• Bad positioning of the baby prior to delivery
• Placental eruption
• Birth hypoxia
• Shoulder dystocia

If monitoring shows that the baby is in distress, the health care professional can take steps to help. On the other hand, if the fetus is in distress and nothing is done, the baby could suffer a variety of serious problems including delayed development, cerebral palsy, or blindness.

While an obstetrician can choose to perform fetal monitoring at any time, there are certain risk factors that would indicate that the doctor must monitor the fetus, including:

• There is lack of fetal movement, or a decrease in fetal movement
• The mother is past her due date
• The pregnancy is high risk
• There are complications

Medical malpractice occurs when a medical professional such as an obstetrician, nurse, or other health care professional fails to take reasonable care and as a result the patient suffers an injury. Thus, if a doctor fails to respond to fetal distress, and as a result you or your baby are injured, New York law allows you to hold that doctor and other medical professionals legally and financially liable. Medical professionals who may be held accountable for failing to respond to fetal distress include:

• Family doctor
• Obstetrician
• Neonatologist
• Emergency care phsycian
• Pediatrician
• Neurologist
• Anesthesiologist
• Nurse
• Hospital or clinic
• Midwife

Both you and your child may pursue compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity and pain and suffering.

If you suspect that you or your baby was injured because your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional failed to properly respond to fetal distress, do not hesitate to immediately contact an experienced New York birth injury attorney. The staff at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates is experienced in successfully representing clients who have suffered injuries due to mistakes made by medical professionals, as well as those injured in car accidents, truck accidents, construction accidents, and other types of accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.