Pittsburgh Forceps Injury Lawyers

Knowledgeable Medical Malpractice Attorneys in Pittsburgh Skillfully Handle Claims of Forceps Injuries on Behalf of Harmed Children and Their Families

If labor becomes difficult or prolonged, the obstetrician may choose to help delivery along by using an instrument known as forceps. Forceps are a hinged instrument that grasp onto the baby and thereby allows the doctor to “pull” the baby through the birth canal, enabling a safe delivery. Due to the force employed on a baby by the use of forceps, physicians must use this instrument in a careful and sensitive manner. Negligent or reckless use of forces can quickly lead to significant injury for a baby; these injuries can result in permanent and life-altering disabilities. Improper use of forceps can even result in injury to the mother, including damage to tissues through the birth canal, excessive bleeding from lacerations, or infection. 

At Berger Lagnese & Paul, LLC, our skilled medical malpractice attorneys have helped many clients recover compensation after they or their children have been injured through a medical provider’s negligent use of forceps during delivery. We know the lifelong catastrophic effects that a forceps injury can have on a child who suffers such an injury, so we work tirelessly to ensure that families affected by misuse of forceps do not have to bear the financial consequences of a medical provider’s negligent actions. We also believe that negligent healthcare professionals should be held accountable when careless or reckless actions lead to a patient’s serious injuries.

Contact our firm today for a free case review to discuss the details of your case and to learn more about the process of pursuing a medical malpractice claim in Pittsburgh.

Why Forceps Injuries Result from Medical Negligence

Although forceps can aid in the delivery of a baby who is having difficulty getting through the birth canal, doctors must exercise great care in deciding whether to employ forceps during birth, as even a small error in their use can lead to catastrophic injury to the baby. Ultimately, physicians must determine that the benefit of using forceps outweighs the risks posed by their use. Furthermore, when a doctor does decide to employ forceps, they must do so in a safe and careful manner so as to minimize the risk of injury. Negligent or reckless use of forceps can cause injuries to a fragile infant, including bruising, lacerations, broken bones, internal bleeding, nerve damage, or other trauma. For example, if a doctor uses too much force on a baby’s head with forceps, it can lead to skull fractures and/or brain damage that leave the child with permanent disabilities.

Of course, not every mistake made by a medical provider during childbirth, even mistakes with forceps, constitutes medical malpractice. Instead, mistakes in the use of forceps will only constitute malpractice when the provider’s use of forceps breached the applicable standard of care — namely, what another provider of similar training and experience would have done under identical circumstances.

The Pittsburgh Birth Injury Lawyers at Berger Lagnese & Paul, LLC Can Help You Recover Financial Compensation When Your Child Has Been the Victim of a Forceps Injury

Injuries from negligent or reckless use of forceps can result in uniquely difficult consequences for children injured by forceps and their families. When these consequences are established to have been avoidable with proper care and skill, the families of injured children may be entitled to pursue a medical malpractice claim against negligent health care providers. In a medical malpractice claim, you and your family may be entitled to recover compensation for damages such as:

• Medical treatment expenses, including surgeries and other medical procedures, doctor and specialist visits, prescription medication, physical and occupational rehab, and mobility assistance equipment
• Long-term care costs to assist with disabilities caused by forceps injuries
• Loss of quality of life due to disabilities
• Pain and suffering from injuries and disabilities

In order to give yourself the best chance at securing maximum financial compensation in your forceps injury case, you need experienced legal representation on your side. The medical malpractice attorneys at Berger Lagnese & Paul, LLC will not rest until we are confident that you and your family have gotten the fair and full compensation you are entitled to.

Schedule an Initial Case Evaluation with a Pittsburgh Med Mal Lawyer from Berger Lagnese & Paul, LLC to Discuss Your Family’s Rights and Options in Your Forceps Injury Case

When your child has suffered a forceps injury due to your physician’s negligent use of forceps during delivery, let the dedicated Pittsburgh birth injury attorneys of Berger Lagnese & Paul, LLC fight on your behalf to hold those at fault for your child’s injury accountable to provide the financial compensation your family need to treat and care for your child and his or her injuries. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to learn more about your legal rights and options and to discuss how our firm may be able to assist you in your case.

Frequently Asked Questions about Forceps Injuries in Pittsburgh, PA