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Birth injuries higher in military hospitals

On Behalf of | Jul 16, 2014 | Uncategorized |

Almost every parent from New Mexico has experienced anxiety during the birth of their child. Not many parents are prepared to handle unexpected complications during child delivery, but fortunately, most deliveries go smoothly. In situations where a complication during delivery results in a birth injury to the child, it may be difficult to ascertain whether the injury was caused by the failure of the doctor to respond to the conditions, or a natural birth defect. And according to reports, out of every one thousand babies born in the U.S., five will suffer birth injuries.

More than 50,000 babies are born in military hospitals each year. However, when compared to civilian hospitals, statistics show that military hospitals have a higher rate of harm and complications regarding maternity care and surgery. The research showed numerous cases of malpractice in these hospitals. One instance involved the death of a baby after doctor error lead to an operation of the wrong part of the mother’s body. In addition, a study conducted in 2012 showed that mothers who delivered at military hospitals were at higher risk of hemorrhaging after childbirth.

Although the situations leading to birth injures may differ significantly, it is observed that most birth injuries are due to a doctor’s failure to assess the conditions during prenatal care. Sometimes, a doctor may fail to perform a necessary caesarian section, use medical devices incorrectly, fail to assess the baby’s health in the womb, or not recognize pregnancy disorders. Recent reports indicate that children born in military hospitals are more likely to be injured during delivery than children born in civilian hospitals. Medical malpractice is prevalent in the country and the victims of medical malpractice have to bear the consequences. However, if the victim can show that a medical error during delivery caused a birth injury, the victims may file a suit against the negligent doctor and claim compensation for their losses.

Source: CBS6, “Reports: Military hospitals twice as likely to injure baby during birth,” July 2, 2014

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