Jacksonville Forceps Injury Lawyer

Legal Help After A Forceps Birth Injury

When a delivery involves forceps, parents trust that the medical team will use them safely. If your baby or the birthing parent suffered an injury after a forceps delivery in Jacksonville, it can be frightening and confusing. You may be wondering if this was a tragic complication or if something went wrong that should have been prevented.

At Edwards & Ragatz, P.A., we help families across Duval County evaluate what happened in the delivery room and what options they may have. Our attorneys have spent decades handling serious injury and medical negligence cases, including complex birth and newborn injury claims. We offer free consultations and take the time to listen, explain, and help you decide on your next steps.

Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for injured clients, including one of the largest judgments in Florida history. When a child’s future and a family’s stability are at stake, we work to bring clarity and direction at a time that can feel overwhelming.

If you are ready to talk about what happened during your child’s birth and what options you may have, reach out today for a free consultation.

How Forceps Are Used During Delivery

Forceps are medical instruments resembling large, curved tongs that are used to assist in vaginal deliveries. An obstetrician may recommend forceps when labor has stalled, the baby is in distress, or the mother is too exhausted to continue pushing. When used correctly and in appropriate circumstances, forceps can help safely guide the baby through the birth canal.

However, forceps delivery requires precise skill, proper positioning of the baby, and careful monitoring. The physician must place the forceps around the baby’s head without applying excessive pressure or twisting force. Even a minor error can result in serious injury. Because of these risks, forceps should only be used when clearly indicated and by providers trained in their safe application.

When a healthcare professional fails to meet these standards, the result may be a preventable birth injury—and potential grounds for a medical malpractice claim.

Common Types of Forceps Delivery Injuries

Improper forceps use can lead to a wide range of injuries, some of which may not be immediately apparent at birth. Common forceps delivery injuries include:

• Facial nerve damage, which may cause temporary or permanent facial paralysis
• Skull fractures or bruising to the baby’s head
• Brain injuries, including bleeding in or around the brain
• Cerebral palsy, often linked to oxygen deprivation or trauma
• Eye injuries and vision impairment
• Neck and spinal cord injuries
• Seizure disorders resulting from brain trauma

Mothers may also suffer injuries during forceps delivery, such as severe vaginal tears, pelvic floor damage, uterine rupture, or long-term incontinence. Our Jacksonville forceps injury attorney can evaluate both maternal and infant injuries when determining the full scope of damages.

Common Causes of Forceps Delivery Injury

Forceps delivery injuries often stem from preventable errors or poor clinical decisions. Some of the most common causes include:

• Improper forceps placement on the baby’s head
• Excessive force or pulling, increasing the risk of trauma
• Using forceps when the baby is not positioned correctly
• Failure to switch to a C-section when forceps are not appropriate
• Inadequate training or experience with forceps-assisted delivery
• Delayed response to fetal distress, leading to oxygen deprivation

Medical professionals in Florida are required to follow established standards of care. When they fail to do so, and a child is harmed as a result, they may be held legally accountable.

When Is Forceps Use Considered Medical Malpractice?

Not every forceps delivery injury qualifies as malpractice. To pursue a claim, it must be shown that the healthcare provider acted negligently and that this negligence directly caused the injury. Examples of malpractice may include:

• Attempting forceps delivery despite known contraindications
• Ignoring warning signs of fetal distress
• Failing to obtain informed consent from the mother
• Applying forceps multiple times after failed attempts

Compensation Available in Forceps Injury Claims

Families affected by forceps delivery injuries may be entitled to compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Depending on the circumstances, a claim may seek recovery for:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Ongoing therapy and rehabilitation costs
• Assistive devices and special education needs
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Long-term care expenses

At Edwards & Ragatz, P.A., we understand that birth injuries often require lifelong care. Our goal is to pursue full and fair compensation that reflects your child’s long-term needs.

Forceps Delivery Injury FAQs

Are forceps deliveries still commonly used?

Yes, though their use has declined in favor of vacuum extraction and C-sections. When used, forceps must be applied with extreme care.

How long do I have to file a forceps injury claim in Florida?

Florida has specific statutes of limitations for medical malpractice and birth injury cases, with special rules for minors. Speaking with a lawyer as soon as possible is critical.

What if the injury wasn’t discovered until months later?

Some forceps injuries, particularly neurological damage, may not be immediately obvious. You may still have legal options even if the diagnosis came later.

Do I need proof of negligence to file a claim?

Yes. A Jacksonville forceps injury lawyer can help gather evidence, medical records, and expert testimony to establish negligence.

How much does it cost to hire a forceps injury lawyer?

Most birth injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless compensation is recovered.

Why Families Choose Our Jacksonville Firm

Forceps injury cases are not simple disputes. They usually involve detailed medical records, questions about timing and judgment calls during labor, and strong opposition from hospitals and insurers. Families often look for a forceps injury attorney with real trial experience and a history of standing up to powerful defendants.

Our firm is led by Thomas S. Edwards Jr., a Board-Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, and Managing Partner Eric C. Ragatz, an AV-Rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell. Board Certification signals that an attorney has met rigorous standards for trial work, and an AV rating reflects high marks from peers for legal ability and ethics. For families dealing with a serious birth injury, these credentials provide reassurance that their case is in capable hands.

Since 2009, we have represented injured clients in Jacksonville and throughout Duval County. Our verdicts include a $228 million judgment and a $178 million medical malpractice verdict, one of the largest in the country that year. Results like these show that we are prepared to take on complex, high-value cases that may involve lifelong medical and care needs.

Recognition from Best Law Firms, Best Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, TopVerdict.com, and The National Law Journal reflects the respect of the legal community for our work. Just as important, we strive to provide hands-on, client-centered service. We respond promptly to calls, texts, and emails, and we offer evening, weekend, and virtual meetings when needed so families do not have to choose between caring for their child and speaking with a lawyer.

We are deeply rooted in the Jacksonville community and support organizations such as Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Hubbard House, and The Mandarin Food Bank. That local commitment means we are not just handling cases here, we are invested in the well-being of the people who live here.

Call (904) 295-1050 to speak with our team.