An epidural is a type of localized anesthesia that is sometimes administered to relieve pain during childbirth. When correctly administered, epidurals are generally considered safe and effective. If careless mistakes are made by health care providers, however, a preventable epidural error can have a range of serious effects and health complications for the mother and infant.
What Is an Epidural?
Epidural anesthesia is a type of regional anesthetic (a drug that temporarily blocks the ability to feel sensations) that is often used during childbirth to prevent and relieve contraction pains in the mother. It is administered to a pregnant woman through injection into the epidural space, or the outermost area surrounding the spinal cord. A thin catheter is put into this space to deliver the anesthesia medication in doses or continuously.
Common and Dangerous Types of Epidural Errors
Epidurals can effectively block pain to create a better and more tolerable birth experience for the mother. They can allow for rest during prolonged labor and come with adjustable dosing for various scenarios. However, this drug can also come with side effects and – even more concerning – serious potential complications when used incorrectly.
Examples of dangerous epidural mistakes include:
- Improper needle placement
- Excessive force
- Accidental puncture of the dura mater (the membrane surrounding the spinal cord)
- Nerve damage or permanent paralysis
- Injection into a blood vessel
- Incorrect dosage
- Lack of proper patient monitoring
Even when correctly administered, epidural anesthesia can cause side effects such as headache, hot flashes, bladder and bowel dysfunction, allergic reactions, infections such as meningitis, and bleeding. However, epidural errors by the practitioner greatly increase the risk of serious adverse health effects.
When Is an Epidural Error Medical Malpractice?
The definition of medical malpractice or medical negligence is an act or omission committed by a health care provider – such as a doctor, obstetrician, gynecologist, surgeon, nurse, hospital or birthing center – that deviates from the accepted standard of care. The medical industry has specific standards in place for how labor and delivery should be handled. This includes standards for epidurals.
If a physician breaches the standards of care when recommending or administering epidural anesthesia during labor, this is a tort or wrongdoing. A doctor who causes injury to the mother or child because of an epidural error could face a lawsuit if a reasonable and prudent physician would not have committed the same mistake in the same or similar circumstances.
Explore Your Rights as a Victim of an Epidural Error
If you suffered any type of harm, injury or lasting damage due to an epidural error, you have legal rights. You may be entitled to financial compensation for your related medical expenses, pain and suffering, reduced quality of life, harm to your baby, and more.
Holding the negligent health care provider accountable can provide you with justice and the ability to change things for future mothers in your community. A Minneapolis birth injury attorney can help you understand and protect your rights in the face of a harmful epidural error. Your lawyer can investigate the situation, search for signs of malpractice, gather evidence, and go up against one or more parties on your behalf. To discuss a potential epidural error case with an attorney in detail, contact Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC for a free initial case evaluation.