A woman in New York recently filed a lawsuit against the Staten Island University Hospital and her doctors for medical malpractice after doctors allegedly forced her to deliver her son via Cesarean section in July 2011. The woman wanted to give birth naturally after already having two previous C-sections, but the suit alleges that doctors pressured and threatened her into delivering surgically.
According to the lawsuit, the mother was told that if she did not go through with a C-section, her baby would be in danger, her uterus would rupture and she would be committing the equivalent to child abuse, causing her child to be taken away from her. Hospital records show a handwritten note from the doctor stating that he had decided to override the mother’s decision with the agreement of her doctor and the hospital’s lawyer.
The case draws attention to national debates concerning C-sections. Health officials warn that C-sections are more likely than natural births to cause health issues for both the mother and child. The woman in this case had her bladder cut during the surgery.
Someone involved in a similar case may wish to speak to a personal injury lawyer with experience in medical malpractice law. A lawyer may be able to help their client learn which options they have and could also help to guide them in filing the claim. The client may be entitled to compensation to cover any injuries they may have received as a result of negligence on the part of a medical professional or hospital.
Source: New York Times, “Mother Accuses Doctors of Forcing a C-Section and Files Suit“, Anemona Hartocollis, May 16, 2014
