A mother should be able to trust that a doctor will act prudently when delivering a child. However, there are many cases where a doctor’s actions will cause a mother to suffer a maternal hemorrhage and may even pose some danger to the child. When this happens, the mother should consider pursuing a medical malpractice lawsuit against the doctor and possibly their employer. If you suffered a maternal hemorrhage while giving birth, you should consult with an experienced Houston maternal hemorrhage attorney as soon as possible.
The Queenan Law Firm, P.C., understands how a serious maternal injury could affect a mother and her pregnancy, and we want to help you seek the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Our skilled legal team possesses decades of combined legal experience handling medical malpractice cases, and we are here to fight for you. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss the details of your potential maternal hemorrhage lawsuit, call The Queenan Law Firm, P.C., at (817) 476-1797. You may also contact us online to schedule a free case review with one of our skilled Houston maternal hemorrhage attorneys today.
Common Causes of Maternal Hemorrhages in Houston, TX
Maternal hemorrhages may happen for a number of reasons. In some cases, a maternal hemorrhage could result due to the actions of a negligent medical practitioner. As a result, a medical practitioner could be held liable for their injuries in a medical malpractice claim.
Incorrect Use of Medical Instruments
When delivering a child, a doctor may make use of birth-assisting instruments like forceps or a vacuum extractor. Forceps and vacuum extractors are used to attach to the head of the child to pull them from the birth canal. However, if a doctor uses these medical instruments incorrectly or exercises too much force, they could cause the mother to suffer a hemorrhage.
Negligent Administration of Medication
In some cases, a doctor may administer medications like Pitocin in order to speed up a prolonged labor. However, the incorrect administration of Pitocin could result in a mother having violent contractions that could cause serious hemorrhaging.
Infections
Infections are another reason that a mother could suffer a maternal hemorrhage. Over the course of a pregnancy, a mother should be monitored by her doctor for infections that could affect her or the child. When a doctor fails to notice that a mother has an infection that could cause a hemorrhage, they may be held liable for the mother’s injuries.
There are many other circumstances where a doctor could be held responsible for a mother suffering a hemorrhage while giving birth. If you want to know more about filing a medical malpractice lawsuit for a maternal hemorrhage injury, you should consult with an experienced Houston maternal hemorrhage lawyer as soon as possible.
Liability for a Maternal Hemorrhage in Houston, TX
If a mother suffers a maternal hemorrhage due to the actions of a negligent medical practitioner, the mother could pursue damages for her injuries. Note, however, there could be multiple parties that may be held liable for a maternal hemorrhage injury.
As you might expect, the doctor that provided the mother with medical care would be one party that could be held liable for the mother’s injuries. While doctors cannot be legally pursued for every simple mistake, they are expected to uphold the standard of care within their field. If a doctor breaches the standard of care, they could be pursued for damages.
In some cases, the employer of a medical practitioner may also be held liable for a maternal hemorrhage injury. Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, an employer could be held vicariously liable for the actions of an employee. For example, if a doctor administered the wrong medication that caused a mother to hemorrhage during or after labor, the doctor’s negligence could be attributed to the employer.
It may also be possible for a maternal hemorrhage injury to be the fault of a nurse or other healthcare worker, depending on the circumstances of the accident.
While there are multiple parties that could be held liable for a maternal hemorrhage, it would typically be prudent for a potential plaintiff to seek compensation from the party with the capability to pay damages. As a result, a lawsuit against a nurse may be unwise for a victim of a maternal hemorrhage.
Note, however, that some hospitals may employ doctors as independent contractors. When a person is designated as an independent contractor, it means the employer does not have the ability to control all aspects of how the contractor performs their job. As a result, the employer may be able to avoid liability for the accident by designating a worker as an independent contractor.
If you are unsure of who could be held liable for your maternal hemorrhage injury, our firm is here to discuss your legal options.
Work with Our Experienced Houston, TX Maternal Hemorrhage Lawyers Today
If you or a family member sustained a maternal hemorrhage while giving birth, you should work with an experienced Houston maternal hemorrhage lawyer to discuss your legal options. The Queenan Law Firm, P.C., is committed to providing our clients with legal representation that meets their unique needs and goals. If you would like to schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your case, call our Houston personal injury lawyers at the Queenan Law Firm, P.C., at (817) 476-1797. You may also contact the firm online to schedule your free consultation.