Welcoming a child into the world should be joyful and celebrated. But for some families, the holidays become a time of crisis due to preventable birth injuries. One factor that often contributes to these tragic events? Short-staffed labor and delivery teams during the holiday season.
At Grewal Law PLLC, we’ve seen the lasting impact these injuries have on both children and their families. Here’s what you need to know about how holiday staffing issues can increase risks—and what legal steps may be available if your family is affected.
The Reality of Short Staffing During the Holidays
Like many other institutions, hospitals face staffing challenges during the holiday season. Many nurses, doctors, and support staff request time off, and facilities may struggle to fill those shifts. While hospitals attempt to prepare for these fluctuations, the truth is that understaffing is a known issue in many labor and delivery units during this time of year.
In some cases, hospitals rely on temporary staff or less-experienced providers. In others, on-call physicians or overburdened nurses are left to juggle multiple patients without adequate support. This can lead to:
- Delayed responses to fetal distress
- Missed signs of complications like preeclampsia or umbilical cord issues
- Improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors
- Failure to order emergency C-sections in time
Any of these missteps can result in birth injuries such as cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, brain damage, or oxygen deprivation—all of which may have lifelong consequences.
When Does Staffing Become Medical Negligence?
Not every negative outcome during childbirth is the result of negligence. However, if a hospital fails to provide the standard level of care due to inadequate staffing or poor planning—and that failure directly leads to harm—it may be considered medical malpractice.
Examples of negligence might include:
- Assigning too many patients to a single nurse
- Allowing unqualified or inexperienced staff to handle deliveries
- Not having a physician available to respond to emergencies
- Failing to follow proper labor monitoring protocols
If your baby suffered a preventable injury during a holiday delivery, it’s important to have your case reviewed by an attorney with experience in birth injury law. These cases often require extensive investigation, including reviewing medical records, staffing logs, and hospital protocols.
What You Can Do if Your Child Was Harmed
No family should have to navigate the aftermath of a birth injury alone—especially when it could have been prevented. If you suspect your child was harmed due to a short-staffed delivery unit, the first step is to seek a legal consultation.
Michigan Birth Injury Lawyers
At Grewal Law PLLC, we understand the emotional toll these situations take. As a family-oriented firm with decades of experience in medical malpractice and birth injury claims, we’re here to listen, investigate, and fight for the answers and compensation your family deserves.
We work with top medical experts to build strong cases and hold negligent healthcare providers accountable. Whether the injury occurred due to delayed action, poor monitoring, or inadequate emergency care, our team will pursue justice with compassion and determination.
If your family has been affected by a birth injury during the holidays, contact Grewal Law PLLC today at (888) 211-5798 for a free consultation. We’re ready to help you take the next steps toward healing and recovery.
