Malpractice Involving Twins and Multiples

Births involving twins, triplets, or other multiples are inherently riskier than single births. For this reason, medical professionals must be extremely vigilant when it comes to these births. If you believe that your children were injured due to a hospital or physician’s mismanagement of the pregnancy or birth, our firm may be of assistance. At Arfaa Law Group, a Baltimore birth injury lawyer can explore your medical records and determine whether malpractice likely took place. If we take your case, you can rest assured that we will zealously pursue all of the damages that you deserve for your child’s harm.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, more births in the United States are multiples than ever before. In fact, in 2014, 3.5 percent of all babies born were twins, triplets, or higher-order multiples, accounting for almost 140,000 births. Some of these births may be attributed to fertility procedures that have pushed multiple births to a higher rate.

Twins and multiple-birth pregnancies are naturally riskier than single births. Health care providers must take care when a woman is carrying twins or multiple babies, especially since preterm labor is more likely. As a result, regular sonograms must be performed, and non-stress testing may be an important tool in evaluating the well-being of the children. Potential complications that may arise with twins and multiple births include the following:

• Prolapsed umbilical cord;
• Placenta previa;
• Preeclampsia;
• Gestational diabetes;
• Failure to recognize fetal distress; or
• Failure to plan for a C-section when needed.

These problems have a variety of causes, including medical malpractice in some instances. Medical malpractice involving twins and multiples occurs when a medical professional causes harm to a patient because they failed to adhere to the standard of care that another reasonably prudent medical professional in the same specialty would have used when dealing with a situation involving twins or multiples. For example, if the babies are in the breech position (meaning that the head will not come out first), in most cases, it would be necessary to perform a C-section. If a physician fails to order or perform the C-section properly, they likely would be liable for any resulting injuries. This is because a reasonably prudent physician would have understood the risk of harm associated with a baby being in an abnormal position and would have proceeded accordingly.

In order to win in a Maryland medical malpractice case, the plaintiff has the burden of proof to establish that the medical professional owed the patient a duty of care, the medical professional breached the duty of care owed to the patient, and the patient suffered harm as a direct result of the medical professional’s breach.

There may be multiple parties that are liable in any given medical malpractice case, such as physicians, nurses, hospitals, pharmacists, and even professional corporations. A skilled lawyer can help you determine who may be accountable in your case after a careful examination of the specific events.

Claims of medical malpractice in Maryland must be filed within a certain time frame, known as the statute of limitations. Failing to file a claim within the statute of limitations may mean losing your legal right to pursue compensation altogether.

If your family was affected by possible malpractice involving twins and multiples, you need to reach out to a skilled Baltimore attorney who can handle your case. At Arfaa Law Group, we are committed to offering our clients the professional and personalized representation that they need in their case. You can rest assured that we will protect your rights at every step of the way. Our medical malpractice lawyers represent patients throughout the State of Maryland. If you are a victim of medical malpractice and have questions about your case, feel free to call 410-889-1850 or contact us online for a free appointment.