New York Epidural Error

An epidural is a type of anesthesia given during labor that affects only a specific region of the body. It is meant to provide pain relief. It is not meant “knock out” the mother. With an epidural the mother does not feel pain even though she remains fully conscious. It is administered via needle or tube into the spinal column and is meant to relieve pain in regions of body controlled by the spine below where the needle was inserted. Like any anesthetic, an epidural can be quite dangerous if not administered properly and if the mother is not monitored. As experienced New York delivery negligence attorneys at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates, we have seen far too many cases of serious birth injuries to the baby as well as injuries to the mother because of a negligent doctor. If you or your baby sustained an injury during delivery that you believe was caused by the negligence of your anesthesiologist, obstetrician or other medical professional, we are here to help.

Common types of epidural injuries

• Infections. Infections such as meningitis.
• Nerve damage. Nerve can mean numbness in the arms and legs or a burning sensation. It also can be so severe that the result is paralysis.
• Cysts. Formation of cysts on the spinal column.
• Brain damage. Stroke and brain hemorrhage leading to permanent brain damage.
• Allergic reaction. An allegic reaction may result in a rash, and respiratory difficulties.
• Cardiac arrest
• Epidural abscess
• Leakage of spinal cord fluid
• Low APGAR score in baby
• Seizures in baby

Pursuing compensation for an epidural error

As an epidural error attorney in New York will explain, doctors owe a duty of care to their patients. While some epidural complications are inadvertent, there are many cases where complications are the direct result of the doctor making a decision that a competent doctor in a similar situation would not have made. In other words, the decision was negligent. If your doctor’s negligence caused your nerve damage, paralysis, chronic pain other serious complications, you have the right to demand compensation for your medical bills and other related losses. The amount of your damages will be based on a variety of factors such as the severity of your injuries, whether your injuries are permanent, and the economic and non-economic losses you suffered.

Hypothetical

When Joanne went into labor with her third child she made it clear to her doctor that she wanted an epidural. The anesthesiologist who was called had been working for 24-hours. Nonetheless, he administered the epidural to Joanne. The anesthesiologist inserted the needle into the wrong part of Joanne’s back, leaving a hole in her spinal cord. As a result Joanne suffers chronic pain, permanent damage to her leg, and a host of other medical problems. With the help of a skilled epidural error attorney in New York, Joanne won a significant judgment that would cover her past and future medical expenses, her lost wages, and her pain and suffering.

Contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates

If you suffered serious complications from epidural anesthesia during the delivery of your baby, contact an experienced epidural error serving New York to discuss your case. The skilled attorneys at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates have the knowledge and resources to review your medical records to help you determine if medical negligence was involved. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.

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