Weston Improper Use of Forceps Injury Attorney

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Forceps are a medical instrument that have been in use for decades. Doctors use them to help apply traction to an infant’s head to help aid its passage through the birth canal. They are shaped like a large pair of tongs designed to fit around either side of a fetal skull. Usually, they are only needed during difficult deliveries and should only be applied after a doctor has obtained informed consent from the mother. Informed consent means the doctor has explained the procedure, the potential risks involved, and any other options that may be available instead.

Situations involving potential use of forceps include the following:

• Labor has stalled, and contractions / pushing is not moving the fetus through the birth canal
• The fetus is experiencing distress from the labor or drugs given to the mother
• The mother has aortic valve stenosis that limits the amount of physical exertion she can perform

If your doctor improperly used forceps or used them without your informed consent, he or she may be guilty of medical malpractice. Talk to one of our skilled Weston forceps injury attorneys about your case and describe your situation. We can look at the details of your case and determine whether or not you may be a victim of negligence.

Risks to Infant

Forceps can cause complications during and after the delivery of an infant. These complications can include the following:

• Brain damage
• Cerebral palsy
• Death
• Eye trauma
• Facial injuries
• Intracranial bleeding
• Neck fracture
• Seizures
• Skull fracture
• Spinal cord damage

Some conditions caused by the use of forceps can last a lifetime. For example, cerebral palsy is an incurable condition that could cause your child issues with motor control for the rest of his or her life.