Delayed Cesarean Section

A delayed Cesarean section claim alleges that a baby should have been delivered by C-section sooner. The medical question is whether signs such as a nonreassuring fetal heart rate, placental abruption, cord prolapse, uterine rupture, or failed labor required earlier delivery. Delay alone does not prove malpractice. The records must show the applicable standard of care, the timing of decisions and actions, and whether an earlier delivery would probably have prevented or reduced the injury.