Giving birth to a child can be a complex process that could place significant stress on both the mother and baby. Unfortunately, a factor that could add to the risks is medical negligence. Birth injuries as a result of medical malpractice are more common than people think, and they can have severe health consequences.
If you or your child has suffered a birth injury in Atlanta, Georgia, what should your next steps be? At Georgia Baby Safety, our team of Atlanta birth injury lawyers can provide the support you need as you begin a legal process against the liable medical professional. Contact us today at 404-995-6033 for a free consultation.
How Georgia Baby Safety Can Help After a Birth Injury in Atlanta, GA
If a healthcare provider fails to notice fetal distress or uses too much force during labor, they can cause serious injuries that could affect the mother and child. If you have suffered losses because of medical negligence, filing a malpractice claim can be the best way to hold the other party responsible and receive compensation.
At Georgia Baby Safety, our Atlanta birth injury attorneys offer an array of services to assist you through this process. We can:
- Evaluate your claim during a free consultation
- Investigate how the birth injury occurred
- Gather evidence to demonstrate that you deserve compensation
- Establish liability
- Calculate your full losses, including emotional suffering
- Communicate and negotiate with insurance companies for a settlement
- Pursue the case in court if reaching a settlement isn’t possible
Our law firm is known for taking on complex and high-stakes malpractice cases. With five decades of combined legal experience, our attorneys know how to aggressively negotiate with insurance companies to help families hold medical professionals responsible for their negligent conduct. Contact our Atlanta medical malpractice lawyers today for a free case review.
Common Birth Injuries During Labor
During active labor, a number of errors could lead to injuries to the mother or baby. Certain injuries are the most common.
Caput Succedaneum
Caput succedaneum refers to swelling in the soft tissues of the baby’s scalp. It is generally a minor condition that resolves on its own. It often happens when assistive devices like vacuum extractors are used. If the doctor uses too much force, this problem is more likely to occur.
Erb’s Palsy
Erb’s palsy is one of the most common brachial plexus injuries that a baby can suffer during labor. It occurs when the nerves that control the arms and hands experience damage. The baby may lose the ability to rotate or flex their arm.
The injury could be minor and resolve in a few weeks, or it could cause permanent damage. It is often a result of the provider using too much force during the delivery.
Facial Nerve Paralysis
If the baby’s facial nerve sustains injuries during the delivery, facial paralysis could be the result. The baby may have no movement on one side of their face, and typically, they will not be able to close that eye. This injury can occur if the doctor uses forceps or if they allow labor to go on for too long.
Fractures
The baby can sustain broken bones, too. The most common of these injuries involves the clavicle (collarbone). It’s usually the result of excessive force during delivery.
Maternal Hemorrhages
Unaddressed complications during labor and delivery could result in maternal hemorrhage. If the mother isn’t monitored closely enough or issues like a retained placenta aren’t addressed, she can suffer severe blood loss. This can put her life at risk.
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy refers to a group of muscle tone, movement, and posture disorders that can occur as a result of damage to the developing brain. One of the most common causes of these injuries is reduced oxygen supply during labor. These disorders can vary in severity and could lead to learning disabilities, and speech, vision, or hearing challenges.
Contact Our Atlanta Birth Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you or your child has suffered injuries because of negligence during labor, you may be entitled to begin a malpractice claim. This will usually involve filing against the medical provider in charge during labor, but it could also mean pursuing a claim against the hospital that employs them.
To have a chance to receive the compensation you deserve, you need assistance from attorneys. At Georgia Baby Safety, we can assist you in beginning a legal process against those who have caused you or your loved ones harm. Contact our Atlanta birth injury attorneys today for a free consultation.