Free Consultation
Tampa Labor & Delivery Negligence Lawyers
Respected advocacy when medical malpractice harms mothers and children in Florida
Obstetricians and every medical provider who participates in a mother’s labor and the delivery of her child should understand what risks may affect the health of the mother and newborn. At MattLaw, our birth injury lawyers work with medical experts who are able to show when medical care is competent and when it’s not. Our Tampa labor and negligence lawyers have been fighting for families for 35 years. When medical malpractice causes injuries or deaths, we demand compensation for all of the family’s economic damages, including medical expenses, and all personal damages, such as pain and suffering. Call us today to protect your family’s future.
Free Consultation
How we can help you
- What are the stages of labor and delivery of a newborn?
- Who is responsible for the birth of your baby?
- What types of negligence can occur during your labor in Tampa?
- What types of negligence can occur during the delivery of your baby in Tampa?
- How much is my labor/delivery negligence claim worth in Florida?
- Do you have a Tampa labor & negligence delivery lawyer near me?
What are the stages of labor and delivery of a newborn?
Labor
According to the Mayo Clinic, the first stage of labor and birth occurs when the mother feels ongoing contractions, which normally become stronger and more frequent. The next stage is when the cervix opens (dilation). The effacement stage begins when “the contractions also soften, shorten, and thin the cervix.” The effacement stage allows the baby to move into the birth canal.
Early labor isn't predictable. The average length can range from hours to days. Early labor is usually shorter for people who have had a baby before. Usually, mothers don’t have to go to a hospital or birthing center until the contractions become more intense and more frequent.
“During active labor, the cervix opens from 6 cm to 10 cm. Contractions become stronger and closer together. They also happen more consistently. Your legs might cramp. Your stomach may feel upset. Active labor often lasts 4 to 8 hours or more. On average, the cervix opens at approximately 1 cm an hour. But it may take longer for people who haven't had a baby before.”
The last part of active labor is often the most painful. The contractions come close together and can last 60 to 90 seconds.
Delivery
You deliver your baby during the second stage of labor. The delivery can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours.
“After your baby's head is delivered, the shoulders are delivered. Then, the rest of the baby's body follows shortly. The baby's airway is cleared if necessary. If the delivery didn't involve any health concerns for you or your baby, your healthcare professional may wait a few seconds to a few minutes before the umbilical cord is cut.”
Delivery of the placenta
The last stage of the birthing process is the delivery of the placenta. Your healthcare professional should examine the placenta to ensure it’s in one piece. After the placenta is delivered, the mother’s uterus should continue to contract to help it return to its usual size.
Who is responsible for the birth of your baby?
At MattLaw, we hold every medical provider who owed the child and mother a duty of care and failed to provide medically competent care, which then caused harm to either the child or mother. The possible defendants may include:
- The obstetrician
The hospital - Obstetric anesthesiologists
- The nurses
- Any other healthcare providers involved in the labor and delivery
What types of negligence can occur during labor and delivery of your baby in Tampa?
Our Tampa labor and delivery negligence lawyers review what happened at every stage of the birth of your child. We conduct this review by working with experienced obstetricians and other medical professionals. Our team also formally questions everyone involved in the delivery of your child.
Some of the reasons mistakes are made during labor and the delivery of your child include:
- Medication errors. These mistakes include administering the wrong drugs or the improper dosages, such as Pitocin (a medication used to induce labor). The possible allergic reactions need to be considered.
- Anesthesia mistakes. Improper use of anesthesia can cause heart problems and brain damage.
- Excessive use of force. Obstetricians may be responsible for birth injuries if they fail to properly use forceps or vacuum extractors during the delivery process.
- Various failures. These failures include:
- Failing to anticipate the many possible dangers that may occur during the delivery and failing to take appropriate actions.
- Failing to monitor the mother and child, such as electrical fetal monitoring and monitoring oxygen levels.
- Failing to perform a timely C-section.
Other acts of negligence include lack of communication, understaffing, improper equipment, intoxication, and many other acts of negligence.
What types of injuries can babies and mothers suffer due to labor and delivery negligence?
At MattLaw, we represent newborns and parents when the following birth injuries occur during labor and delivery – due to medical malpractice:
- Oxygen deprivation (birth asphyxia). If a baby doesn’t get enough oxygen during the delivery, the baby can suffer brain damage, including hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).
- Brachial plexus injury. This birth injury occurs when the baby’s neck is stretched to one side during the delivery. Brachial plexus injuries can affect the ability of your child to use their hand, wrist, arm, and/or shoulder.
- Erb’s palsy. This is an upper brachial plexus injury that affects your baby’s shoulder.
- Klumpke’s palsy. This is a lower brachial plexus injury that affects your baby’s arm, wrist, and hand.
- Cerebral palsy. This birth injury is permanent. Your child’s ability to use their muscles is greatly affected. Your child may also suffer cognitive difficulties and other harm. A lack of oxygen supply can cause cerebral palsy.
- Skull fractures. The slightest excessive force can cause a baby’s skull to fracture.
- Other birth injuries, including:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Sepsis
- Untreated infections
- Maternal bleeding
- Placenta abruption
How much is my labor/delivery negligence claim worth in Florida?
Do you have a Tampa labor & negligence delivery lawyer near me?
MattLaw meets parents and babies at our Tampa, Florida office located at 304 S Plant Ave., Tampa, FL 33606. We also have an office in St. Petersburg. Our birth injury attorneys make alternate arrangements when necessary. We also talk with clients by phone and through online conferences.
We understand how anxious you are. Our team is here to answer your questions and guide you through the birth injury claims process.
Speak with our respected Tampa birth injury lawyers today
Mothers should leave the hospital ready to start their lives with their newborns and the rest of their families. At MattLaw, we understand how devastating it is when doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers cause catastrophic, permanent, and serious injuries – that could have been prevented with competent medical care. We’ve helped many families obtain strong recoveries for medical malpractice. Call our Tampa labor and delivery negligence lawyers or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We handle birth injury claims on a contingency fee basis.