Welcoming a child into the world should be an incredibly wonderful time.
When something goes wrong with the process, it can be devastating, and it’s the littlest victims that suffer. No parent wants to see their newborn injured, sick or in pain, especially if it could have been prevented. Childbirth is the most prevalent reason for hospitalization in the United States and the majority of those hospital stays have at least one complicating condition, ranging in severity from minor to severe.
If your child has suffered a birth injury, it may have been the result of medical negligence. Given the complexity of these cases, it is important to contact an attorney if you believe your baby’s injury could have been prevented. For more than 50 years, the Middle Georgia birth injury lawyers of the Mann Law Firm have helped the families of injured infants throughout the state. You can rely on our experience with the legal system and our commitment to our clients to help you get the best result possible under the circumstances of your case. To learn how we can help you, call us today at (478) 742-3381 or fill out this online form. We are proud to offer free initial case evaluations.
Many injuries happen as the baby moves through the mother’s birth canal and should not to be confused with birth defects, which are usually the result of a genetic disorder. Birth injuries can range in severity from temporary bone fractures to bleeding and bruising to permanent brain damage. When they are caused by a medical professional’s negligence or mistake, the parents of the injured newborn may have grounds for a lawsuit. Although financial compensation cannot make up for the damage that has been done, it can help pay for the expensive and lengthy medical care that the injured baby will likely need. It can also help with other costs incurred in giving the injured child as healthy and productive a future as possible.
Some common medical mistakes include:
- Not getting the baby out of the birth canal soon enough
- Not detecting umbilical cord issues
- Misreading the fetal monitoring strip
- Misusing forceps or a vacuum extraction tool
- Mishandling shoulder dystocia
- Failing to identify that the baby is in distress and that a cesarean section needs to be performed
- Improperly recognizing and treating seizures after delivery
- Not responding to the mother’s health conditions.
Most birth injuries can be traced to two root causes: oxygen deprivation or physical trauma. Common birth injuries include:
- Bone fractures – a newborn’s bones are fragile and don’t heal in the same way as adult bones. Fractures can lead to permanent issues if not properly treated.
- Brachial Plexus Palsy (Erb’s Palsy/Klumpke’s Palsy) – through the arms and into the fingers can sometimes require the assistance of an experienced Brachial Plexus lawyer for legal matters related to injuries or medical conditions affecting this network
- Cerebral palsy – refers to several different neuro-muscular deficiencies, all marked by a lack of muscle control and coordination that makes many basic motions impossible. Cerebral palsy is a brain injury, and the part of the brain that is damaged determines which part of the body is affected by abnormal muscle tone.
- Perinatal asphyxia – lack of oxygen (usually related to the kinking or pinching of the umbilical cord). This can result in serious brain damage.
- Spinal cord injuries – seen most often along with blunt force trauma or a medical issue affecting the spine. The majority of infant spinal cord injuries occur in the neck area.
There are a number of people who may be held responsible for a birth injury other than the doctor, including attending nurses, support staff, technicians, and even the hospital itself. If you suspect that your child has sustained a birth injury, you should seek legal assistance as soon as possible after the birth. Even if you are unsure, the GA birth injury attorneys of the Mann Law Firm can review your case and advise you whether you have grounds to seek financial compensation.
We have years of experience handling Georgia birth injury law, and we fight to protect the rights of patients and their families. We would like to meet with you to discuss your case. Get started today with a free, no obligation case review by calling (478) 742-3381. You can also fill out this online form to discuss the details of your situation. We represent clients throughout the state of Georgia including the communities of Macon, Dublin, Warner Robins, and Milledgeville. Let us help you.
Attorney David Mann
Before leading his own firm, Mann served for several years as in-house defense counsel for a large insurance company, which gives him unique insight into how insurance companies work. He uses this critical knowledge as an advantage for his clients. He is a tough negotiator and litigator, and he is exceptionally strategic in building cases on behalf of personal injury victims.[ Attorney Bio ]
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