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New York Vacuum Extraction Injury Attorneys

Medical Malpractice Damage CapsMost vaginal births do not require assistive instruments. However, birthing tools may be necessary in some cases where labor alone cannot help move the baby through the birth canal. Physicians should first try to reposition the mother during the delivery to help ease and move the baby down the canal. If this is ineffective, the doctors may need to use vacuum extractors to avoid a C-section. Unfortunately, in some cases, although a vacuum extractor may avoid a C-section, it may also result in serious injuries to the baby.

If you believe that your child suffers from injuries as a result of the negligence of a physician’s use of a vacuum extractor, you may be entitled to compensation. These cases are complicated and require legal help from a knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney. At Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C., our legal team has more than three decades of experience in handling all types of medical malpractice claims, especially injuries to infants caused by vacuum extractors during the birthing process.

What Is Vacuum Extraction Delivery?

When vaginal delivery is not enough, the obstetrician may opt to use a vacuum extractor to avoid a C-section or prolonged fetal distress. During vacuum extraction, the doctor places a plastic cup on the baby’s head. The other end of the cup is then attached to a vacuum, which creates a suction that works with the mother’s pushing to move the baby through the birth canal.

More specifically, during each of the mother’s contractions, the vacuum extractor is pressurized to create suction on the baby’s head. The doctor then uses the vacuum extractor to pull on the baby’s head during the contractions.

Risks Of Using a Vacuum Extraction

At one point in time, vacuum extractors were seen as a useful tool during the birthing process. However, more research proved that these tools are potentially dangerous devices that if used incorrectly or by inexperienced medical providers, it could cause serious harm to the baby.

In 1998, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Public Health Advisory reporting neonatal injuries and deaths following vacuum delivery. The advisory was issued to doctors, nurses, hospital obstetric departments, and risk managers. In addition to the warning, the FDA also recommended that the vacuum extraction devices be used only when a specific obstetric indication is present and the physician using the vacuum is versed in its use and is aware of the indications, contraindications, and precautions.

If you or someone you know had a vacuum extractor complication during birth, it is important to immediately speak with an experienced attorney as you may be entitled to compensation.

Guidelines For Using a Vacuum Extractor During Delivery

Obstetricians and other medical professionals must follow certain guidelines in order to safely and effectively use vacuum extractors during the delivery process. If these guidelines are not followed, serious mistakes can happen leading to serious vacuum extractor injury to the baby. Moreover, physicians must take care to use these tools at the right stage of delivery to avoid serious harm and possible death.

Examples of these guidelines include:

  • Not using too much suction with a vacuum
  • The correct placement of the suction cup for vacuum extractors
  • Avoiding prolonged use of a vacuum (in most cases, no longer than 20 minutes)
  • Avoiding the use of a vacuum if the baby is too large
  • Avoiding twisting or excessively pulling on the baby
  • Using a vacuum at the precise stage of the delivery process

Signs or Symptoms Associated With Vacuum Extractor Birth Injuries

The signs of improper vacuum extractor use can appear immediately or can appear in the days or weeks following birth. Babies who have been injured as a result of the improper use of vacuum extractors may have one or more of the following signs or symptoms:

  • Sluggishness or lethargy
  • Apnea
  • Seizures
  • Difficult feedings

If your baby displays any of these signs or symptoms, you need to seek immediate medical attention. Your baby’s pediatrician should immediately order CT scans or MRIs to confirm if there is a bleed and if so to help guide the course of your baby’s treatment.

If you believe that your physician or birthing team failed to adhere to the guidelines of safely and effectively using a vacuum extractor which led to injuries to your baby, you may have a valid medical malpractice claim.

Complications Associated with a Vacuum Extraction Delivery

A vacuum extractor can be one of the most dangerous tools used during the birthing process. Complications from vacuum extraction delivery can include:

  • Scalp swelling and bruising
  • Subgaleal hematoma (bleeding between the skull and scalp)
  • Skull fractures
  • Intracranial hemorrhage (bleeding around or in the brain)
  • Intraventricular hemorrhage
  • Neonatal jaundice

All of these serious vacuum extraction injuries can lead to permanent brain damage and lifelong conditions, such as:

  • Cerebral palsy
  • Developmental delays
  • Intellectual disabilities
  • Motor disorders
  • Seizures

Our legal team at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. has the knowledge and experience in helping you get the full compensation that your child deserves. Filing a medical malpractice claim will not undo the harm to your baby, but it will help you get the financial means you and your baby deserve to obtain the full extent of the medical care and treatment he or she deserves.

You Need an Experienced New York Vacuum Extractor Birth Injury Attorney

In pursuing a medical malpractice claim, especially one that involves the serious injuries resulting from the improper use of a vacuum extractor, it is important to hire an attorney who has the necessary experience to help you get the best settlement possible so that you will have the money and resources to give the highest quality of care possible to your child.

If your child has suffered vacuum extractor birth injuries as a result of medical negligence, you need a good attorney on your side. The legal team at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. understands the ramifications of birth injuries on the lives of the victim and their family members. Our firm has been protecting the rights of victims for more than 39 years. We aggressively litigate these cases to hold the right parties accountable for their actions and help our clients obtain the full compensation that they deserve.

Call an Experienced NYC Vacuum Extractor Delivery Injury Attorney Today!

GLK LawyersAt Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C., we understand how devastating it is for parents when a newborn has suffered serious brain injuries at birth. While we understand that no amount of money can undo the harm caused, it can bring a sense of justice and financial stability to help pay for your child’s medical care and treatment.

If you suspect your infant’s vacuum extractor birth injuries were caused by medical negligence, please call us at 1-800-529-9997 for a free consultation to discuss the details of your case.

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