Forceps deliveries require precision, skill, and sound judgment. When used improperly or unnecessarily, these instruments can cause devastating injuries to your newborn. Skull fractures, facial nerve damage, brain bleeding, eye trauma, or spinal cord injuries are only some of the consequences of forceps misuse.
At The Janda Law Firm, our medical malpractice lawyers in Las Vegas know firsthand how traumatic forceps injuries can be. That’s why our lead attorney, Dr. Paul Janda, has dedicated his career to fighting for victims of medical negligence. Leveraging his background as Nevada’s only board-certified Neurologist-Attorney, our Las Vegas forceps injury attorney will work tirelessly to secure the justice your family deserves.
When Are Forceps Used During Delivery?
Forceps are typically introduced during the second stage of labor—the pushing stage—when delivery has stalled and either you or your baby faces health risks from prolonged labor. These metal instruments resemble large tongs and are designed to guide your baby through the birth canal.
Your medical team may recommend forceps delivery if:
- You have a condition that makes prolonged pushing dangerous, such as heart disease or severe hypertension.
- Your baby shows signs of distress through concerning heart rate patterns that suggest oxygen deprivation.
However, forceps are only appropriate when specific conditions are met. Your baby must be positioned at least halfway through the birth canal, your cervix must be fully dilated, and your provider must accurately determine your baby’s position.
Types of Injuries Caused by Improper Forceps Use
When forceps are misused during delivery, the consequences can be catastrophic. Your newborn may suffer injuries that affect them for life, such as:
- Skull fractures and brain hemorrhaging from excessive compression
- Facial nerve damage, causing paralysis or weakness on one side of the face
- Brachial plexus injuries that affect arm movement and sensation
- Eye trauma, such as retinal hemorrhages or permanent vision damage
- Spinal cord injuries leading to paralysis or developmental delays
- Cerebral palsy resulting from oxygen deprivation or brain trauma
- Seizure disorders caused by neurological damage
How to Prove Negligence in Forceps-Assisted Births
Medical professionals owe you and your baby a duty to meet the accepted standard of care: the level of skill and caution that a reasonably competent provider would exercise under similar circumstances. When they fall below this standard and cause injury during a forceps-assisted birth, you may have grounds for a birth injury lawsuit.
By filing a claim, you can recover compensation for medical expenses, ongoing therapy and care, pain and suffering, and your child’s diminished quality of life. To establish negligence, you must prove:
- A duty of care existed between the medical provider and the patient.
- A breach of duty occurred through substandard medical care.
- The breach of duty directly caused your child’s injuries.
- Your child suffered damages due to these negligent actions.
The Janda Law Firm’s unique medical-legal experience allows us to identify subtle deviations from proper protocols that others might overlook. Our experienced Las Vegas birth injury attorney leaves no stone unturned in building your case. We will review delivery records, consult specialists, and build evidence demonstrating how negligence caused your child’s injuries.
Reach Out to a Las Vegas Forceps Injury Lawyer Today
The Janda Law Firm has seen too many cases where forceps were applied with excessive force, used despite contraindications, or chosen when a C-section was clearly needed. Our Las Vegas birth injury lawyer will investigate whether your delivery team followed proper protocols and exercised reasonable care. Contact us at (702) 758-8888 for a free, confidential consultation and learn how we will fight for the compensation and justice your family deserves.