Hawaii C-Section Error Attorneys

Cesarean sections, or C-sections, account for approximately one in three births in the United States. Although they are common, this does not mean that they are always needed, performed on time, or performed correctly. C-section errors can place mother and baby at risk of serious injury and when they occur, at-fault parties should be held accountable.

For over 40 years, the team at Davis Levin Livingston has represented injured children and their families in cases involving all types of obstetrical malpractice, including C-section errors. With a nurse and Medical Director on staff, they understand how and when a C-section should be performed and can identify deviations from standard care that cause serious birth injuries.

If you suspect that a C-section error caused you or your child harm, call (808) 740-0633 for a free consultation with an experienced Hawaii C-section error attorney at Davis Levin Livingston.

Failure to Recommend a C-Section

A doctor may recommend a C-section before a pregnant woman goes into labor if she or the baby is at risk of injury if a vaginal delivery were attempted. Your doctor should carefully assess the pros and cons of a C-section and should explain these to you so that you can make sure the right decision is made.

There are signs and risk factors that should alert your physician to the necessity of a C-section:

• The mother had a C-section in a previous pregnancy.
• The mother has an infection that could harm the infant during delivery.
• There is a problem with the placenta or umbilical cord, like placenta previa.
• The mother suffers from a high-risk condition, like diabetes or high blood pressure.
• The mother has a narrow pelvis.
• The baby is large.
• The pregnancy involves multiple babies.

If you experienced any of these risk factors during your pregnancy, but your doctor failed to recommend a C-section, you may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim, and should speak with our firm as soon as possible.

Failure to Perform an Emergency C-Section

If an emergency C-section is required, your doctor should move as quickly as possible to perform the procedure without sacrificing the quality of care. Failure to recommend a C-section can result in serious complications during birth, including infant brain damage or even a loss of life.

Signs that the mother may need an emergency C-section include:

• Labor doesn't progress or stops.
• The umbilical cord becomes pinched or prolapsed (slips into the vagina before the baby).
• The baby is not in a head-down position (breach).
• The infant is showing signs of distress.

Failure to perform an emergency C-section can result in injury or death to the mother and/baby. If the baby's shoulder gets stuck in the mother's pubic bone, it may suffer damage to the brachial plexus nerve. If labor is taking too long the infant may be at risk of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy or brain damage from lack blood flow.

Surgical Errors During a C-Section

When a C-section is performed incorrectly, the mother or baby may suffer serious harm. Types of C-section injuries may include:

• Fetal lacerations, which can lead to scarring, disfigurement, or paralysis
• Physical trauma sustained by the infant, such as broken bones
• Maternal lacerations, affecting the bladder, bowels, or other nearby organs
• Maternal infection, which can be caused by unclean instruments or an object left in the body
• Maternal hemorrhage or blood clots, for which the mother should be carefully monitored

Representing Clients in Honolulu and across the Hawaiian Islands

After your newborn sustains a serious injury during labor or delivery, you should be able to spend your time focusing on recovery; not dealing with insurance adjusters, never-ending paperwork and complicated legalese.

The Hawaii C-section error attorneys at Davis Levin Livingston are committed to the pursuit of justice after serious C-section errors. Although these cases are complex and technical in nature, they have the know-how to succeed. We are standing by to see how we can assist you.

Contact Davis Levin Livingston online or by phone at (808) 740-0633 for a free and confidential consultation.