South Florida Injury Lawyer Blog
South Florida medical malpractice attorneys recognize obstetrics and gynecology as a medical practice area with higher-than-average rates of litigation. Malpractice in obstetrics and gynecology can result in catastrophic injuries and fatalities for both women and babies. A recent survey by Medscape revealed some of the top reasons for lawsuits against Ob/Gyns are:
- Patient suffers an abnormal injury – 36 percent
- Failure to diagnose – 22 percent
- Failure to treat – 15 percent
- Poor documentation of patient instruction and education – 5 percent
- Improperly obtaining/ lack of informed consent – 4 percent
- Failure to follow safety procedures – 3 percent
- Errors in medication administration – 2 percent
These usually involved a maternal or fetal death, failed tubal litigation, poor timing/ performance of a cesarean section, bowel perforation or shoulder dystocia. A recent case of a catastrophic injury suffered by a baby delivered by an Ob/Gyn at a federally-funded hospital was allegedly caused by the physician’s “unjustified and overly-vigorous use” of forceps during the birth of a child. The child reportedly now suffers from lifelong mental disabilities, and after a jury awarded the family $42 million for this severe brain injury, the federal government has withdrawn its appeal. Continue reading