Vacuum Extractor & Forceps Injury Lawyers in Pittsburgh

Our Pittsburgh Birth Injury Lawyers Will Advocate for You

When a baby has trouble passing through the birth canal, obstetrician/gynecologists (OB/GYNs) will sometimes use vacuum extractors or forceps to help with delivery. In most cases, these tools are helpful and do not endanger the health of the baby or the mother, but when they are misused or faulty, they can cause terrible injury.

If you or someone you love has been injured by vacuum extractors and/or forceps during childbirth, our birth injury attorneys at Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C. will fight to recover your full compensation. Since we first opened our practice over 40 years ago, we have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for Pittsburgh residents after they have been touched by tragedy. We accept cases throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia on a contingency fee basis, which means you will not be charged a cent if we do not win your case.

Call (844) 383-0565 today to connect with an acclaimed Pittsburgh lawyer with experience in vacuum extractor & forceps injury litigation.

The Risks of Vacuum Extractors & Forceps

First, it is important to note that although vacuum extractors and forceps carry risks, they are typically safe when used properly; usually, it is when negligent medical professionals are involved that injuries result. Furthermore, these medical instruments are not to be used for long periods of time, and they must never be used one after another. If your OB/GYN already used forceps, attempting to use a vacuum extractor afterward (or vice versa) will most likely lead to injury.

About Vacuum-Assisted Delivery

There are two types of vacuum extractors: those with a metal cup on the end and those with a soft cup. Metal cups are not as gentle as soft cups and, thus, more likely to cause injury to a baby. Soft cups also have downsides, as they tend to pop off during use.

Regardless of whether a metal or soft cup is used, the medical professional must carry out the vacuum extraction very carefully. They must monitor the vacuum’s suction strength, its insertion into the birth canal, and the pressure it exerts on the baby.

Several injuries that may result when vacuum extractors are misused include brain damage, seizures, hemorrhaging of the scalp, vision problems, and even infant death. A child may also develop Erb’s palsy if the brachial plexus, the bundle of nerves in the shoulder, is damaged during vacuum extraction. As mentioned, the mother may also suffer injury, such as a damaged genital tract, anemia, and weakened pelvic organs.

Assisted Delivery with Forceps

Obstetrical forceps, or medical tongs, have been used since the late 16^th century to help with child delivery. An OB/GYN uses forceps to gently pull on the infant to help them through the birth canal — the key here is that this must be done gently. If too much pressure is applied to the baby’s head, injury will certainly result. The same is true when the OB/GYN attempts to reposition the forceps or uses them more than three times.

Common examples of forceps injuries include bruises, lacerations, and bumps on the baby’s head, as well as brain damage, skull fractures, facial paralysis, and brachial plexus injuries. In the worst cases, infant and/or maternal death may occur.

Skilled Attorneys Dedicated to Winning You Justice

The sad truth is that medical professionals almost always attempt to avoid accountability, even when they know that they have committed malpractice. Don’t let them take advantage of you and your family. If you work with Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C., our award-winning trial lawyers will fight tooth and nail to secure you the financial support you and your child deserve.

Contact our Pittsburgh firm online today to schedule a risk-free, confidential consultation with a vacuum extractor & forceps injury attorney.