Giving birth to your long-awaited baby is a very exciting event, but sometimes things go wrong
and your child suffers an injury during the labor and delivery process. When this happens, it’s a
horrific shock to the mother and her family. While a newborn can often fully recover from mild
birth trauma that may occur, many Georgia birth injuries come with lifelong consequences for
your child. These injuries can take the form of severe disabilities and other chronic issues, but
an experienced Atlanta birth injury lawyer like Kathryn Burmeister can help you hold those
responsible to account within the confines of the law.
A birth injury lawyer will fight for you and your child
If your child has suffered injuries during birth, it’s critical to consult with a birth injury lawyer to
discuss how she or he can help you receive the compensation you need and deserve. The first
thing to understand is that it’s not your fault. Birth injuries occur for a number of reasons,
including events which cause injury to a mother during pregnancy. Some examples of these
include:
- Dangerous medications prescribed during pregnancy
- Defective medical devices
- Automobile accidents
- Slipping and falling while on unsafe property
However, the most common cause of birth injuries is medical malpractice. Medical malpractice
can arise at any time during a pregnancy as well as during labor and delivery. Additionally, it
isn’t only the obstetrician who can be liable for medical negligence. Often nurses,
anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, or others on the medical team make mistakes that result
in serious birth injuries. In these situations, the hospital may also be liable due to the medical
errors and negligence of its employees.
The labor and delivery medical team and other staff have a duty to prevent birth
injuries. The obstetrician must monitor the health of both the mother and the baby throughout
pregnancy. This includes checking for appropriate weight gain in addition to screening for
gestational diabetes. The medical staff should know and use critical safety precautions for
things like an unusually large baby, long pregnancy, premature labor, long labor, use of
epidural, or inducing labor via Pitocin IV. Any failure to properly address these issues, which
results in a birth injury, constitutes medical malpractice.
Some other common causes of birth injuries resulting from medical malpractice include:
- Improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors during delivery
- Delay or failure to perform an emergency cesarean section to preserve the health and life of the mother and baby
- Failure to screen for, diagnose, and adequately treat a medical condition prior to labor and delivery
These represent a fraction of the possible causes of debilitating birth injuries that can have a
lifelong effect on your child and, consequently, your family as well. Common types of birth
injuries include, but are not limited to:
- Prenatal asphyxia (inadequate oxygen during birth), which may cause brain damage
- Cerebral palsy – damage to nerves controlling the upper arm and shoulder
- Brachial plexus injury – damage to a crucial nerve cluster, often cause by stretching, twisting, or a crushing motion to the baby’s neck and arm during delivery
- Hemorrhage – occurring in the mother, child, or both
- Paralysis
- Brain damage
- Death
Since birth injuries can arise out of an array of causes, lawsuits in Georgia involving these
injuries are typically challenging and complex. Not every birth injury results in a medical
malpractice claim. Kathryn Burmeister, a birth injury lawyer with a proven track record, will work
through any difficulties and complexities on behalf of you and your child.
Georgia Birth Injury Attorney Kathryn Burmeister understands that you have fears and concerns
about how the injury will affect your child’s future and the well-being of the family, in general.
Understandably, your child’s health is your primary concern, but it’s also natural to worry about
the effect the injury will have on your financial health. If your child’s injury is severe, you and
your family may face life-long medical and therapy expenses, costs to possibly modify your
home and vehicle for a wheelchair and many other financial strains.
Unfortunately, the full extent of the injury and its effect on your child’s quality of life as well as
your family’s financial stability won’t be known for many years. This is why it’s crucial to take
action immediately to see if there is a chance that medical malpractice occurred. Contact Birth
Injury Lawyer Kathryn Burmeister of Burmeister Law Firm for a free, no-obligation consultation
to discuss your child’s birth injury and start building your case now. Attorney Burmeister will
advocate and fight for you, so you can get the financial compensation necessary to rebuild your
life and properly care for your injured child. Call now!
