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Epidural Injuries

Cleveland Epidural Malpractice Attorneys

Injured by A Negligent Anesthesiologist?

Anesthesia requires a delicate balance. Anesthesiologists must ensure the patient is unconscious during surgery while making sure he or she is getting proper oxygen and blood flow. Since there is so little room for error, anesthesiologists and other medical staff must follow strict protocols when administering general, local, spinal and regional anesthesia during childbirth/delivery.

When they fail to provide adequate treatment, patients can suffer life-changing injuries and even wrongful death. This is especially true when administering epidurals. Even a minor deviation from the correct procedure can cause life-altering injuries to the mother or child.

At The Becker Law Firm, we provide compassionate representation to people who have suffered due to anesthesia errors at hospitals and other medical facilities. Our Cleveland epidural injury lawyers are prepared to pursue full and fair compensation for the losses you have suffered.

Contact The Becker Law Firm today at (440) 252-4399 to schedule your free initial consultation with our epidural injury attorneys in Ohio.

Anesthesia Options for Childbirth

Sedatives or narcotics can be used early in the labor to minimize pain and relax the expectant mother. Drugs used often include fentanyl, morphine sulfate, and Demerol. Complications can include respiratory depression and increased risk of aspiration with the baby.

These drugs should not be given close in time to the expected delivery.

Another option is a pudendal block. Anesthetic, usually similar to lidocaine, is injected into the pudendal nerve. This procedure is often used when delivery occurs by forceps or vacuum; it is also used just before an episiotomy. It is usually given during the second stage of labor, just before delivery. There is some risk that the anesthetic can cross the placenta and travel to the baby.

Epidurals can also be used to limit the pain associated with childbirth. It is usually administered during the active phase of labor and is inserted into the space between L3 and L4 in the spine (lower back). The amount of medication can be increased if a cesarean delivery is required.

Lastly, general and spinal anesthesia are often used for C-sections. One complication linked to spinal anesthesia is low maternal blood pressure, which can cause low heart rate in the baby. General anesthesia is more frequently used for C-sections. The risks include:

The Consequences of Epidural Errors

According to a 2008 data collected by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 61% of women who delivered babies vaginally had epidural or spinal injections for pain relief.

An epidural is typically administered by an anesthesiologist during the active phase of labor when the cervix dilates rapidly and contractions are more forceful. A catheter is placed into the epidural space (between epidural column and outer membrane of the spinal cord), which can permit a constant infusion of pain medication (usually bupivacaine, lidocaine, or a similar drug).

From medical school, anesthesia doctors are taught the four P’s:

  • Preparation: physicians must use the correct needle, amount and type of medicine
  • Position: the patient must be properly positioned (typically on her side)
  • Projection: the needle should be placed where it is to be inserted
  • Puncture: the needle must be pushed into the intended area without deviation

At every stage, something can go wrong if doctors are not careful. The wrong medication, patient position, or amount of force can cause injury to the expectant mother and baby.

If an epidural is not properly performed, the mother can suffer from:

  • Nerve damage
  • Low blood pressure
  • Seizures
  • Headaches & dizziness
  • Cardiac arrest
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Wrongful death

The unborn baby can also be injured—brain injuries, strokes, coma, and death are all possibilities. Injections often cause an increase in the mother’s temperature, which is linked to higher risks of infant injuries. In fact, babies born to mothers who had fevers during labor have an increased risk for lower blood oxygen, the need for ventilation after birth, seizures, and other problems.

Call Now to Discuss Your Options

The decision about whether and when to use anesthesia during labor is a personal one that should be made in concert with the treating doctor. Childbirth can be incredibly painful, and these medications can provide significant pain relief when done properly. However, done incorrectly, it can cause devastating injuries to both mother and child. If you are suffering injuries from an epidural error or other anesthesia complication, contact The Becker Law Firm today.

Suffering injuries from an epidural mistake or anesthesia error? Contact The Becker Law Firm today at (440) 252-4399 for your free consultation.

  • $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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    Contact The Becker Law Firm

    Our lawyers do this work because we care about our clients and a just verdict or settlement will make a positive difference in their lives. If you believe that your anesthesiologist acted improperly during your labor and delivery and caused injury to you or your child please contact us to arrange a free initial consultation with a knowledgeable attorney at our firm.

    We can be reached online or by phone at (440) 252-4399.

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