It is easy to take the process of labor and delivery for granted. Because most people in New York and across the country go through it with relatively few complications, it may be easy to forget that the lives of both the mother and infant are at risk. As a result, it is important for medical care professionals to carefully monitor both the mother and the baby during the process. Unfortunately, a woman now claims that doctor errors caused brain damage to her son.
The woman originally filed the lawsuit against the doctor who delivered her son in 2015. Reports indicate that her son suffered brain injury as a result of oxygen depletion that happened during birth. She claims that her son’s injury is at least partially the result of a faulty heartbeat monitor intended to monitor the baby during delivery.
Unfortunately, the monitor — according to the lawsuit — was not accurately measuring the baby’s heartbeat. In the trial, the jury ruled in favor of the doctor. However, an appeals court has recently ordered a new trial. In its decision, the court claims that the doctor could have used other measures to monitor the baby.
Patients rely on their healthcare providers to use the necessary tools to appropriately monitor their health. Failure to do so can have significant consequences; in this case, a mother claims that doctor errors led to her son’s brain injuries. Unfortunately, these types of injuries often require a lifetime of treatment, and a full recovery may not be possible. To ensure that negligent doctors are held accountable for their actions and that victims have the funds to seek appropriate treatment, they often seek recompense in a civil court. A professional with experience with such cases can help victims in New York understand all of their options.