Questions?What Is Forceps Delivery Complications Compensation?
When doctors use the delivery assistance tool to assist with a birth and cause harm, the family may be entitled to forceps delivery complications compensation from a medical negligence claim.
Forceps look like large metal spoons or tongs. They are often used during a prolonged or difficult labor or when the baby is struggling to exit the birth canal.
When health care providers misuse these tools or use them too forcefully, they can cause forceps delivery injuries like brain damage, skull fractures, and nerve damage. While some injuries may heal, others can affect a child for the rest of their life.
Forceps delivery complications compensation helps families afford the care their child needs. Most forceps delivery complications claims are settled out of court, allowing quicker access to money without the hassle of a trial.
The Birth Injury Justice Center works with lawyers who can help families in all 50 states. Our legal partners have secured over $1 billion for families affected by preventable birth injuries like forceps delivery complications.
Find out if we can help your family — get a free case review now.
Forceps Delivery Complications Compensation Amounts
Forceps delivery complications compensation amounts vary based on the severity of the baby’s injury and how much care they may need in the future.
In cases of severe harm or when medical errors are extreme, multimillion-dollar forceps delivery complications settlements may be awarded.
- $97.4 million for an Iowa family with an infant who suffered brain damage after the medical team mishandled fetal distress
- $11.4 million to an Ohio family whose child endured brain damage after a prolonged delivery
- $1 million on behalf of a Pennsylvania child with Erb’s palsy and other birth injuries
- $7.6 million to a Missouri family for a child with paralysis, developmental delays, and vision problems
If your child suffered forceps delivery complications, you may be eligible for compensation, too. A birth injury lawyer can review the facts of your case and fight for enough forceps delivery complications compensation to pay for lifetime care.
Call the Birth Injury Justice Center right now at (800) 914-1562 or Click to Live Chat to see if a top birth injury lawyer may be able to file a forceps delivery complications claim for you.
Forceps Delivery Complications and Medical Malpractice
Obstetricians and other medical professionals are trained to use forceps correctly and safely. When they fail to do so and cause harm to the mother or baby, their actions may be considered medical malpractice.
- Applying excessive force: Using too much pressure with forceps can lead to serious injuries to the baby’s head or facial nerves.
- Delaying forceps use: Waiting too long for an assisted delivery can worsen conditions, resulting in serious issues like cerebral palsy due to a lack of oxygen.
- Neglecting to check the mother’s pelvis: If the mother’s pelvis is not wide enough during a vaginal birth, complications can arise.
- Not recognizing fetal distress: Not spotting signs of distress, like an abnormal heart rate, can lead to infant brain damage.
- Using incorrect positioning: When forceps are incorrectly positioned, the baby can suffer skull fractures or brachial plexus injuries.
Many birth injuries have serious long-term effects, requiring children to undergo expensive therapies, surgeries, and more. Parents may miss time from work as they get their child the care they need.
If the cause of forceps delivery complications in your baby could have been prevented, you may have legal options. A birth injury attorney may be able to fight for forceps delivery complications compensation to lessen any financial burdens.
Who Can File a Forceps Delivery Complications Claim?
Families of children impacted by complications of forceps delivery may be able to file forceps delivery complications claim to pursue compensation if medical negligence was involved.
Here’s who may be eligible to file forceps delivery complication claims:
- Parents: The child’s primary caregivers who have been directly impacted
- Legal guardians: Individuals with legal responsibility for the child
Forceps delivery complications like cuts or a blood-filled bump on the head called a cephalohematoma may be diagnosed immediately after birth. However, in some cases, they may not be noticed until weeks — or even months — later.
Common side effects of a forceps delivery on a baby, like developmental delays or movement problems related to cerebral palsy brain damage, for example, may not show up until your child grows.
You don’t need an official diagnosis to take the first step toward forceps delivery complications compensation. Our team is here to help you determine if you may be eligible to file a forceps delivery complications claim.
Reach out to one of our experienced labor and delivery nurses right now — for free.
Beth has more than 18 years of specialized experience in labor and delivery. She’s available to hear your story and help you figure out the cause of your child’s injury — and what you can do next.
Talk to A Nurse Now
Call or chat with a caring, experienced nurse right now — we’re standing by to get you help and answers.
Steps to Filing a Forceps Injury Claim for Compensation
Filing a forceps delivery complications claim involves several key steps. A lawyer can handle all of the legal legwork, so you can focus on your child’s health and well-being.
Here are the steps to pursue forceps delivery complications compensation:
- Free case review: Top birth injury law firms offer free legal consultations to determine if you may have a case. Get your free case review right now.
- Collect evidence: Your legal team will gather key evidence, like medical records, witness testimony, and expert opinions, to build a strong forceps delivery claim.
- File the forceps injury lawsuit: Your attorney will file a birth injury lawsuit in the proper court and ensure all legal deadlines are met.
- Negotiate a settlement: Your lawyer will work to secure a forceps injury claim settlement, so you can access the compensation you need as quickly as possible.
If your forceps delivery lawsuit doesn’t settle, your legal team will be prepared to fight for your family in court with the goal of securing compensation from a trial verdict.
However, most birth injury lawsuits result in settlements, allowing families to secure compensation without ever stepping foot in a courtroom.
Factors That Affect Forceps Delivery Complications Compensation
Several factors may impact the amount of compensation families receive from a forceps delivery complications claim.
For example, when problems after forceps delivery are severe and may result in long-term consequences, forceps delivery complications compensation may be substantial.
- Degree of medical malpractice involved
- Expenses for birth injury treatments, like medications, therapy, and surgery
- Pain and suffering endured by your child and family
- Severity of forceps delivery injuries to the baby
- Whether your child is likely to suffer forceps delivery complications later life
State laws may also impact the amount of any forceps delivery complications compensation you may receive, as rules often vary by location.
The Birth Injury Justice Center works with skilled attorneys who can calculate your child’s lifetime care costs and pursue the forceps delivery complications compensation your family deserves.
Get a free case review to see if we may be able to help you, too.
When to Seek Forceps Delivery Compensation Compensation
Families should consider filing a forceps delivery compensation claim for compensation as soon as they suspect their child’s condition could have been prevented.
Acting without delay is important due to the statute of limitations, a deadline that limits the amount of time you have to take legal action. Once this window of opportunity passes, you won’t be able to file a forceps delivery complications lawsuit again.
An experienced birth injury lawyer can explain the time limit that applies to your case and ensure your forceps delivery lawsuit is filed correctly and on time.
Call us right now at (800) 914-1562 — while there’s still time.
Get Help Pursuing Forceps Delivery Complications Compensation
No family should ever have to deal with medical expenses while navigating the emotional and mental toll that a preventable birth injury can have.
Forceps delivery complications compensation can make the path ahead easier by lessening any financial worries you may have about providing your child with the best possible medical care.
We’ve partnered with experienced lawyers who can help families in all 50 states and hold negligent medical providers accountable.
Our legal partners have secured more than $1 billion for families affected by preventable birth injuries, and they may be able to help your family, too.
Call us at (800) 914-1562 right now or fill out our case review form to see if we may be able to help your family seek compensation.
Forceps Delivery Complications Compensation FAQs
What are the damages caused by forceps delivery?
Forceps can cause many different types of injuries to vulnerable infants, like bruises and small lacerations that often heal on their own. However, more serious injuries, such as brain damage leading to cerebral palsy, can result in permanent harm.
When a doctor’s use of forceps causes harm, families may be able to take legal action and seek forceps delivery complications compensation.
Get a free case review now to learn about your legal options.
Can forceps delivery complications occur later life?
Yes, complications from forceps delivery can occur later in life for the mother and baby. Babies may experience brain damage or spinal cord injuries that may not be detected until months after birth.
Forceps delivery complications for the mother may include chronic pain, uterine rupture, incontinence, and bladder or bowel injury.
Can forceps delivery cause learning disabilities?
Yes, forceps complications can cause brain damage, leading to learning disabilities and other developmental delays. Children who have been affected may lag behind their peers in speech and motor development.
If you’re concerned about your child’s development, a pediatrician can help ensure they get the care they need.
A personal injury lawyer may also be able to file a medical malpractice claim for a forceps birth injury.
Do forceps leave permanent marks?
In most cases, forceps leave marks or small cuts on a baby’s head or face that disappear in a week or so. However, when medical professionals use too much force, forceps can cause permanent damage, like skull fractures, brain injuries, or nerve damage resulting in facial palsy.
When this happens, families may be able to file a forceps delivery complications claim for compensation.
Call (800) 914-1562 now to see if our team may be able to assist you.
