Forceps are sometimes used during childbirth to help guide a baby through the birth canal. However, improper use of forceps can cause serious injuries to a baby or mother. When a healthcare provider in Atlanta, Georgia, makes a mistake during delivery, families may have grounds for a personal injury claim.
At Georgia Baby Safety, our Atlanta forceps delivery lawyers help families whose children have suffered preventable birth injuries. We can investigate what happened during delivery, determine whether medical negligence played a role, and help your family pursue compensation for medical expenses and other losses. Contact Georgia Baby Safety today at (404) 995-6033 for a free consultation.
How Can Georgia Baby Safety Help After a Forceps Delivery Injury in Atlanta, GA?
At Georgia Baby Safety, our Atlanta birth injury lawyers bring 50 years of combined experience and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for injury victims.
We can build a detailed account of the delivery by:
- Examining labor, delivery, and newborn medical records
- Reviewing why forceps were selected instead of another delivery method
- Examining the baby’s position and progress before forceps were applied
- Evaluating fetal monitoring information from the period surrounding delivery
- Consulting medical experts about whether the technique met the standard of care
Our team can use this evidence to determine whether medical negligence caused your child’s injuries and help your family pursue compensation for the resulting losses. Contact us today for a free case review.
What Causes Forceps Delivery Injuries?
A forceps injury may result when the instrument is used under inappropriate circumstances or applied with excessive or poorly directed force. Problems can also arise when repeated attempts continue despite signs that the approach to delivery is not succeeding.
Potential errors may include:
- Using forceps when the baby’s position is not adequately known
- Applying excessive pressure to the baby’s head or face
- Positioning the forceps incorrectly
- Continuing unsuccessful attempts instead of changing the delivery plan
- Failing to respond appropriately when fetal distress develops
The circumstances surrounding the delivery can help determine whether a different course of action could have prevented the injury.
What Injuries Commonly Occur in Forceps Delivery Accidents?
Some forceps-related marks or swelling resolve without lasting harm. More serious trauma, however, can affect nerves, the skull, the brain, or other structures. This is particularly true when significant pressure or difficult extraction is involved.
Possible injuries include:
- Facial nerve injuries that affect movement or expression
- Skull fractures or bleeding inside the skull
- Brain injuries associated with trauma or loss of oxygen
- Eye or facial injuries caused by instrument pressure
- Long-term neurological or developmental impairments
Newborn records and developmental assessments can help determine the extent of the injury. They may also show whether the child will need ongoing therapy, medical treatment, or other support.
What to Do After a Forceps Delivery Injury
Parents may not immediately know whether a newborn’s condition is related to forceps use. When there are unexplained injuries or serious complications after an assisted delivery, preserving medical information and obtaining appropriate care can help protect the child’s health and your legal options.
Important steps include:
- Seek prompt medical evaluation for concerning symptoms or injuries
- Follow recommended appointments with pediatric and specialty providers
- Keep copies of discharge instructions, test results, and later medical records
- Write down questions and information provided about what happened during delivery
- Speak with a birth injury lawyer before important records become difficult to obtain
Taking these steps can preserve important information about the delivery and the baby’s condition afterward.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit?
Georgia generally requires a medical malpractice lawsuit to be filed within two years after the injury or death caused by the medical error. However, special rules can affect claims involving children, and Georgia malpractice lawsuits generally require a qualified medical expert to identify at least one way the provider may have been negligent.
We review timing and filing requirements early so the medical records can be evaluated before a deadline is missed.
Speak With an Atlanta Forceps Delivery Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation
A forceps delivery injury can leave your child with serious health complications and your family facing unexpected medical expenses. If medical negligence caused your child’s injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, ongoing care, and other losses.
At Georgia Baby Safety, our Atlanta forceps delivery injury attorneys can investigate what happened during childbirth, determine who may be responsible, and help your family pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn more about your legal options.