The birth of a child is one of the most joyous occasions in a person’s life. Parents have the right to expect that every precaution will be taken to ensure the mother’s and baby’s health and safety during the labor and delivery process. Unfortunately, this does not always occur, and birth injuries occur. For far too many families, a doctor’s error takes away that moment of joy and the lifetime of happiness you had planned. When a doctor or nurse fails to act appropriately and fails to correctly identify or treat neonatal problems, the nurse, doctor, or hospital may be held liable for any harm done to your baby. If you believe your baby was harmed as a result of neonatology malpractice, the experienced birth injury lawyers at DeFrancisco & Falgiatano in Upstate New York can assist you in determining your legal options. We have several convenient locations across Upstate New York. Our extensive experience in the medical malpractice field is reflected in the results we have achieved for our clients.
Birth injuries are just one example of medical malpractice. There is no reason for any medical or healthcare professional to act negligently and fall short of the acceptable standard of care. When treating patients suffering from a specific disorder or disease, the standard of care refers to the practices and procedures that are generally accepted by a certain class of medical professionals in a specific geographic region. The situation is even more upsetting when it affects a helpless, innocent newborn, severing that infant’s life or severely compromising the baby’s quality of life. Preventable medical errors are a major public health issue that affects people of all ages, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Medical errors have been identified as the third-leading cause of death by the Journal of Patient Safety, accounting for as many as 440,000 patient deaths a year. Many more sustain serious and long-term injuries.
Neonatologists are trained to handle complex and high-risk situations involving newborns. Neonatologists are doctors who, after medical school, can train for three years in pediatrics and another three years in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). They are certified by the Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine sub-board and the American Board of Pediatrics. A pediatrician can handle most problems, but some are risky, such as when a newborn is born very prematurely, has an injury, or is suffering from a serious illness. They also provide care for newborns during C-sections or other deliveries in which the baby or mother has a medical condition that requires medical intervention during or shortly after delivery.