The birth of a child can be exciting occasion. When doctors or other medical staff make a mistake during labor, the injuries can instead be catastrophic. Long-term, and often permanent, effects can result from negligence during this critical time in the baby’s early life. A traumatic birth may be the result of medical malpractice or other types of negligence caused by a medical professional. It could also be the result of a defective medical device or medication used during delivery.
A College Park birth injury lawyer can build a strong claim to help with the financial and emotional costs of this traumatic incident. With proper guidance through this process, you can hold those responsible for your child’s harm to account for their negligent actions.
Malpractice as a Cause of Birth Injury
Birth injuries most often occur during labor or delivery of the baby. Childbirth can be difficult for the mother and child, even when things go well. However, when negligence is present, the infant could suffer harm. Common mistakes that may cause a birth injury include:
- Skull fractures during delivery
- Forceps-related injuries
- Pitocin and other antibiotic mistakes
- Failure to supervise and monitor mother during delivery
- Inability to recognize fetal distress
- Vacuum extractor injuries
Many other potential harms are addressed in a birth injury claim. If the plaintiff believes that medical staff may be the cause of a birth injury, they should immediately speak with a competent attorney to protect their rights.
Limitations in Filing Medical Malpractice Claims
In most cases, Georgia Code § 9-3-71 limits the filing of a medical malpractice claim to two years from the date of the alleged accident.
Oxygen Deprivation Injuries
Sadly, one of the most common injuries that occurs during a delivery is when the baby is deprived of oxygen for too long. This can result in:
- Cerebral palsy
- Brain damage and cognitive deficiencies
- Neurological and physiological delays
- Death
This kind of injury most often occurs because the umbilical cord became wrapped around the baby’s neck or because the medical staff failed to make a timely decision about when to perform a caesarean section.
Compensation for Birth Injuries
In a successful birth injury claim, a plaintiff may be entitled to damages such as medical costs, rehabilitation, and injuries to the infant. The parents may also be compensated for their losses, such as lost income, pain and suffering, and much more.
Find a College Park Birth Injury Attorney to Handle Your Claim
Birth injuries can be devastating for both the infant and the mother. The costs of tending to an injury – including in the long-term is high; but you may be able to hold the negligent party responsible for those costs. To pursue compensation in your case, contact an experienced College Park birth injury lawyer today.
