The birth of a child is meant to be a moment of joy, but complications during labor and delivery can quickly turn that joy into heartbreak. When something goes wrong, families often find themselves asking difficult questions: Could this injury have been prevented? Was the medical team negligent? These questions lie at the heart of medical malpractice cases involving birth injuries.
Healthcare providers play distinct roles in labor and delivery. Obstetricians are medical doctors trained to care for pregnant women and manage complex deliveries. Maternal-fetal medicine specialists focus on high-risk pregnancies, offering advanced expertise when complications arise. Midwives, often nurses with a master’s degree in midwifery, guide mothers through much of the labor process but cannot perform surgical procedures such as cesarean sections. Nurses, meanwhile, are responsible for monitoring fetal heart rates, administering medication, and keeping the care team informed. Each professional has a critical responsibility, and each must meet the accepted “standard of care” in their field.
In Maryland, the law does not distinguish malpractice claims based on whether the provider was an obstetrician, midwife, or nurse. Instead, the focus is on whether the care delivered fell below the standard expected of that profession. When it does, the consequences can be devastating. Birth injuries may include oxygen deprivation leading to brain damage, nerve injuries from improper use of delivery tools, or fractures caused by excessive force. These outcomes can leave a child with lifelong challenges and place enormous emotional and financial strain on families
Get the compensation you deserve
If you suspect your child’s birth injury was caused by negligence or medical malpractice, a legal team may be essential.
The Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Normanteam is here to help your family move forward with confidence and care. Whether you’re seeking justice, compensation, or clear answers, this Maryland malpractice team is prepared to take the steps needed to protect your rights and your child’s future.
Visit malpracticeteam.com to learn more about birth injury and medical malpractice services.
Disclaimer: This article is educational and not meant to provide any official legal or medical advice or diagnosis.
Birth injury: Understanding the roles your healthcare providers play
