Medical Malpractice When Delivering Twins
For many, childbirth is an exciting and joyous experience. Unfortunately, others experience complications that lead to injuries for the mother and/or child. Birth injuries can have serious physical, emotional, and financial consequences, some of which are lifelong. Any birth can involve complications, but the risk is higher for twin and multiple births.
Knowing that twin births can be complicated, medical professionals should be extra vigilant when delivering multiples. If medical malpractice when delivering twins results in a birth injury, patients may be due financial compensation for resulting losses. Individuals in the Irvine, CA, area can work with attorneys at Burke Argos to determine if they have grounds to file a medical malpractice claim.
Potential Twin Birth Complications
Single births have always been far more common than twin and multiples births, and that remains true today. However, in recent years the number of pregnancies involving twins and multiples has increased. This may be at least partially due to the number of people pursuing fertility services and treatments, which carry a higher rate of multiple pregnancies. While twin and multiple pregnancies can be a great source of joy, these births have a higher risk of complications. Some of the most common complications of multiple and twin births include:
- Placenta previa
- Preeclampsia
- Prolapsed umbilical cord
- Gestational diabetes
- Fetal distress
Medical Malpractice and Twin Birth Injuries
Although twin births are naturally more risky, that doesn’t automatically excuse a medical professional from fault if a birth injury occurs. Medical professionals should be prepared for the increased risk of complications surrounding a twin or multiple birth, and should be proactive about monitoring both the mother and child throughout pregnancy and delivery to minimize the risk of complications. Unfortunately, many twin birth injuries are the result of negligence or medical malpractice. Examples of medical malpractice that can lead to twin birth injuries include:
- Failure to monitor the mother and/or child during labor and delivery
- Failure to respond to signs of fetal distress
- Failure to respond to a prolapsed umbilical cord
- Delaying or failing to perform a C-section
- Poor infant care immediately after birth
Do I Have Grounds for a Medical Malpractice Claim?
Medical professionals are highly unlikely to take accountability when a twin birth injury occurs. In fact, they may act as though the injury were unavoidable. To determine if there is grounds to file a medical malpractice claim after a birth injury, parents in the Irvine area should work with the knowledgeable attorneys at Burke Argos.
Our legal team examines the details of a birth injury and gathers the evidence necessary to determine if medical malpractice was involved. To establish a claim of medical malpractice, we must be able to demonstrate the following key factors:
- A doctor-patient relationship had been established
- The doctor or acting medical professional was negligent in their care, meaning they delivered care that did not meet up to the accepted standard
- The negligent care was directly responsible for the birth injury
- The patient suffered other measurable damages related to the birth injury
Contact Burke Argos
If your child suffered a birth injury that you believe was caused by negligent medical malpractice, we urge you to discuss your case with the attorneys at Burke Argos. To schedule a legal consultation at our Irvine law firm, send us a message online, or call (949) 644-3434.
