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Forceps

Cleveland Forceps Trauma Lawyers

Ohio Forceps Injury Claims

During some births, medical professionals will choose to use forceps to help deliver the baby. This is called “assisted delivery.” A doctor may use forceps in situations where, for example, the baby is facing the wrong direction or doesn’t naturally progress down the birth canal.

Forceps use is typically safe and can even save a baby’s life by preventing oxygen deprivation; however, sometimes the force involved in using this assistive device causes injury to the infant. While many of these injuries are minor, others can cause lifelong, permanent damage.

If your child was injured by the improper use of forceps during childbirth, you may be able to hold the medical professional and/or hospital accountable for their negligence.

How Do Forceps Work?

Forceps are instruments that are used to pull the baby out of the birth canal. For most models, one end is curved to wrap around the baby’s head and connects at the base like a pair of scissors. Some forceps are designed to avoid being placed too far inside the mother’s body.

Forceps can be used when the baby is in distress or the mother is having difficulty delivering the baby. The obstetrician must use the forceps carefully to help guide the baby through the pelvis. In order to ensure safety, the mother must be fully dilated and membranes must be ruptured.

The use of forceps would not be appropriate with cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD), where the baby’s head is too large to pass through the mother’s pelvis.

In the hands of a competent obstetrician, delivery by forceps can be quick, painless and safe. Sometimes, forceps are necessary in the event of difficult or emergency deliveries. Improperly used, however, they can cause significant permanent injuries to mother and child.

Birth injuries caused by improper use of forceps are somewhat less common than those caused by vacuum extractors simply because physicians are less likely to use forceps in an instrument-assisted birth. Still, birth injuries can and do result from negligent use of both instruments.

Contact the Ohio forceps birth injury lawyers at The Becker Law Firm if your child suffered serious injuries as a result of negligent forceps use. Call us at (440) 252-4399 to discuss your case in a free initial consultation.

Forceps Delivery Risks

Common birth injuries caused by forceps delivery include bruising, tissue damage, swelling and bone fractures. Other possible and more serious injuries include:

Improper use of forceps can also cause serious injuries to the mother.

Forceps Use vs. Vacuum Extraction

The choice between forceps and vacuum is hotly debated in the obstetrical community. Many studies show that they have equal rates of injuries. However, a vacuum likely has a higher rate of cephalohematoma and shoulder dystocia, while forceps use leads to a higher rate of facial nerve palsies and maternal injuries. The most important factor is experience and comfort level.

Establishing Negligence in Your Case

To win a lawsuit for a birth injury caused by the misuse of forceps, you must show that the medical professional’s negligence caused the injury. Determining whether the doctor used the forceps negligently can be difficult, and will require uncovering answers to questions like:

  • Did the medical professional use the correct forceps (there are various kinds)?
  • Did the medical professional follow the standard of care required of them?
  • Would the infant have avoided injury if the doctor had not acted negligently?

If you believe your child's injuries were caused as a result of medical negligence, it is important that you discuss your case with an attorney at our firm. We will take the time to analyze the details and determine if you have the right to seek legal action. Additionally, we will consider who may be held liable and if the cause of your child's injuries was the negligent use of birthing forceps.

You may be eligible to receive compensation for the medical costs you have incurred, including future expenses if the injuries are long-term. Additionally, you could be entitled to compensation that covers pain and suffering, mental anguish, reduced quality of life, and more.

Call The Becker Law Firm at (440) 252-4399 to learn more about your options.

  • $13.5 Million Birth Injury

    Becker Law Firm attorneys Michael Becker and David Skall obtained a jury verdict for $13.5 million in Akron, Ohio. The case involved a now 16- year-old boy who suffered a brain injury at the time of birth (specifically a watershed injury). The doctor held liable for causing the boy’s injury is Laura Fortner, M.D., previously of Atrium OB/GYN, Inc.

    • David W. Skall
    • Michael F. Becker
  • $4.5 Million Birth Injury

    Failure to Carefully Ligate Umbilical Cord, Resulting In Severing Child’s Great Toe, Major Fluctuation In Child’s Blood Pressure And Subsequent Brain Damage (Cerebral Palsy & Developmental Delays)

    • Michael F. Becker
  • $4.25 Million Birth Injury

    Failure of Obsterical Caregivers to Recognize Maternal Hemorrhage Resulting in Brain Damage

    • Michael F. Becker
  • $4 Million Birth Injury

    Failure to provide intra-partum and immediate post-partum antibiotics.

  • $3.14 Million Birth Injury

    Failure to perform timely cesarean section which resulted in severe birth asphyxia.

    "Thank you for being our champions."

    Your unwavering dedication and expert guidance have truly been a lifesaver. Your sharp legal mind and compassionate heart have made all the difference. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being there for us every step of the way. We are forever grateful Words cannot express our gratitude for everything you have done for us. Your outstanding professionalism, attention to detail, and commitment to justice have been nothing short of remarkable. You have given us back our confidence and hope during a difficult time. Thank you for being our champions. Thank you so much.

    - The C. Family
    "Michael Becker helped us secure our daughter’s future needs. We will always be grateful for the impact he has had on our family."
    We were greeted with professionalism, expertise, compassion, respect, and a desire to provide the best quality of life for our daughter. She was always the top priority. Mr. Becker represented our daughter and family as if it was his own. His staff was equ
    - Kris Harmon, mother of Perri
    "Mike represented us as if he was fighting for his own family member. I knew that my son was getting the best representation in Northeast Ohio."
    It was an honor having such an experienced lawyer handle my son's cerebral palsy case. He represented us as if he was fighting for his own family member. Everyone at the firm made us feel comfortable about our case. I knew that my son was getting the best representation in Northeast Ohio. The Becker Law Firm is dedicated to bringing justice to their clients. I've already referred families that I know!
    - Knyesha Washington
    "David worked our case with professionalism and patience in an amazing way that ultimately led to a positive outcome."
    Right from the very beginning of our case, David Skall and his assistant Jean Witt were both extremely kind and compassionate to help us put closure on a wrongful death case involving my father at a care facility. They were quick to answer any questions that we had and they made sure we were kept in the loop of this entire process. even though we were in the middle of a pandemic, David and his team were able to adapt their technology and make it all work out for our benefit. I would strongly recommend them to anyone in need of legal help.
    - John Z.
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    Assessing the Facts of Your Case

    In every birth injury case, we carefully review the facts to determine whether negligence was involved. We have years of experience, in-house medical staff members, and access to respected medical experts to help us make this determination. If malpractice caused your child’s injury, we will fight hard to see that you receive justice and fair compensation for damages.

    If you believe your child suffered birth trauma during a forceps delivery, please contact our Ohio birth injury attorneys. Our lawyers offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case and advise you of your options.

    Contact us online or call (440) 252-4399 to schedule a complimentary case evaluation.

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