A C-section may be necessary to protect a mother or baby, but performing one without a valid medical reason can cause unnecessary harm. When a preventable injury results from an unjustified C-section, you may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim.
At The Moses Firm: Medical Malpractice Lawyers, our Atlanta unnecessary C-section lawyers can review your medical records, investigate why surgery was recommended, and determine whether the decision met accepted medical standards. Contact our Atlanta, Georgia, law firm at (404) 721-1050 for a free consultation.
How Can The Moses Firm: Medical Malpractice Lawyers Help After an Unnecessary C-Section in Atlanta, GA?
An unnecessary C-section can put both the mother and baby at risk of serious complications. Determining whether the procedure was medically justified requires a careful review of the circumstances leading up to surgery.
At The Moses Firm: Medical Malpractice Lawyers, our Atlanta personal injury lawyers have over 50 years of combined experience and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for clients.
Our team can investigate your case by:
- Reviewing medical records to determine why the C-section was recommended
- Examining fetal monitoring results and labor progress
- Determining whether safer alternatives were available
- Reviewing whether the patient was properly informed of the risks
- Investigating whether unnecessary surgery caused preventable injuries
- Consulting medical experts to evaluate the care provided
Our Atlanta medical malpractice lawyers can help determine whether medical negligence contributed to your injuries and pursue compensation on your behalf. Call today for a free case review.
What Causes Unnecessary C-Sections?
A C-section may become questionable when the clinical circumstances do not support surgery or when the decision is made without adequately evaluating the patient’s condition. Malpractice depends on the medical evidence and whether the provider’s conduct fell below the professional standard of care.
Potential problems surrounding the decision may include:
- Misinterpreting fetal monitoring information
- Misjudging the progress or duration of labor
- Failing to reassess an initial concern before proceeding to surgery
- Using an intervention that is not supported by the documented condition
- Providing inadequate information needed for meaningful consent
A later disagreement with the treatment choice does not establish negligence. The records must support that the C-section was not reasonably necessary and that undergoing it caused harm.
What Injuries Commonly Occur in Unnecessary C-Section Cases?
Cesarean delivery is a major abdominal surgery. If the procedure was not medically necessary, complications from the operation can raise the additional question of whether the patient was exposed to avoidable surgical risk.
Possible injuries and complications include:
- Surgical injury to nearby organs or tissue
- Significant bleeding requiring additional treatment
- Postoperative infection that prolongs recovery
- Blood clots or other serious postsurgical complications
- Complications affecting future pregnancies or deliveries
Damages must be calculated to reflect the actual consequences of the unnecessary procedure. Medical records can document additional treatment, recovery time, later procedures, and lasting effects attributable to the surgery.
What Compensation Is Available to Me?
An unnecessary C-section can lead to additional medical care, time away from work, and a longer recovery than the patient otherwise would have faced.
Compensation may cover losses caused by the unnecessary surgery, including:
- Additional medical expenses
- Lost income
- Future medical treatment
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
The amount available depends on the harm caused by the C-section and its lasting effects. Medical records, employment information, and other evidence can help show the full financial and personal impact of the unnecessary procedure.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit?
Georgia medical malpractice claims generally must be filed within two years after the injury or death arising from the negligent act. The law may also prevent some medical malpractice lawsuits from being filed more than five years after the medical error occurred.
Other rules or exceptions may affect the filing deadline. Georgia also generally requires a medical malpractice lawsuit to include a statement from a qualified medical expert explaining at least one way the provider may have been negligent. We review these requirements early so there is enough time to have the medical records evaluated before filing the lawsuit.
Contact an Atlanta C-Section Lawyer for a Free Consultation
An unnecessary C-section claim depends on what the medical team knew, why surgery was chosen, and whether the procedure caused harm that could have been avoided. Those questions must be answered from the record.
We can investigate the obstetric care, consult appropriate medical experts, and explain your options for pursuing a claim. Contact The Moses Firm: Medical Malpractice Lawyers for a free consultation with our Atlanta C-section attorneys.