A birth of a child is often the most joyous time in a parent’s life, and thankfully most child deliveries go as smoothly as expected, with any difficulties successfully overcome. Unfortunately, complications can arise during both pregnancy and delivery and these problems may result in temporary or permanent injury to the baby. In situations such as these where the harm was avoidable, it is important that the legal rights of both baby and parent are fully safeguarded.

The facts of cases involving birth injuries to a baby can differ greatly depending on individual circumstances, but most situations can be boiled down to one of two general scenarios. Both types of cases will be discussed in this overview.

The first common case involves a doctor/obstetrician’s failure to correctly assess or respond to conditions, disorders, and complications during a woman’s pregnancy or delivery. For example, this type of case can include a doctor/obstetrician’s failure to recognize pregnancy disorders like hypertension; improper use of medical devices such as forceps or vacuum; failure to perform a necessary caesarian section; or improper assessment of a baby’s overall health in the womb. A lawsuit arising from these types of situations will usually include a medical malpractice claim against the physicians and other medical practitioners involved, and in some cases a claim against the hospital where the treatment or delivery took place.

The second typical fact situation occurs when, during pregnancy a woman has taken a prescription drug, under the guidance and supervision of a doctor or pharmacist. In such a situation, you may also have a right to legal compensation from the drug manufacturer or pharmaceutical company, and from the pharmacist who assisted you with your prescription.

Birth Injury Or Birth Defect?
When a baby is born, it can be difficult at first to know if certain complications were caused by a birth injury, or were the result of a birth defect. For example, a child born with cerebral palsy may not have been given enough oxygen during labor (making the condition an avoidable birth injury), or the situation may have been caused by an unpreventable birth defect. To help differentiate between the two, an examination of each will be helpful.

Birth Injuries
A birth injury to a baby occurs due to a complication in the labor or delivery process. It has been estimated that, for every 1000 babies born in the U.S., five will be injured during birth.  A birth injury can happen because of an obstetrician’s use of an improper medical technique during delivery, or through improper use of a medical device such as forceps or a vacuum. Resulting harm to the baby can vary from a lack of oxygen to severe head injuries.

Remember that not all birth injuries will give rise to a successful legal claim. Complications may occur during delivery that, despite an obstetrician’s use of reasonable and competent skill, resulted in unavoidable birth injuries.

Birth Defects
While birth injuries are generally caused by something that went wrong during the delivery process itself, birth defects involve harm to a baby that arose prior to birth, usually caused by something that happened during or before the mother’s pregnancy.

Proving Your Case
No matter what the particular facts of your case happen to be, in order to recover for birth injury you will likely need to show that medical providers and/or a pharmaceutical company failed to give you or your baby adequate medical care or medication advice during pregnancy and/or delivery.

Generally, to find a medical professional legally at fault, it must be shown that his or her conduct fell below a generally accepted standard of medical care. To establish the standard that will be applied, your attorney will consult with and present the testimony of another medical expert, who is qualified in the same area of medicine as the defendant. This expert will indicate what standard or level of care is commonly met by those recognized in the profession as being competent and qualified to practice. Your attorney will present expert testimony not only as to the applicable standard of care, but also testimony establishing that the defendant failed to meet this standard in your case.

In medical malpractice actions, causation is sometimes a challenge to establish. Specifically, your attorney must show that your health care provider’s deviation from the applicable standard of care resulted in his or her injury. This is challenging because sometimes, the health care provider’s deviation from the standard of care may not have caused the plaintiff’s eventual injury, and vice versa.

Elements Of A Claim – Caregiver’s Malpractice
If you bring a lawsuit against your obstetrician, other caregivers, and/or a medical facility for birth injuries to your child, it will be your attorney’s responsibility to show that:

  • Defendant (which can include an obstetrician, physician, nurse, medical facility, pharmaceutical company, medical device manufacturer) owed a legal duty of care to your baby (and to you, in some cases);
  • Defendant breached that legal duty or standard of care by acting or failing to act in a manner in which a reasonably competent individual would have, under the circumstances;
  • Defendant’s breach of the legal duty or standard of care caused harm to your baby (and to you, in some instances).


Elements Of A Claim – Mother’s Use Of Prescribed Drug
Your claim for birth injury may be based not on complications during delivery, but on the mother’s use of a prescribed drug or medication during pregnancy. These claims are typically brought against pharmaceutical companies, pharmacists, and treating physicians, and are usually based on a theory that the defendant(s) “failed to warn” the mother of the risk of taking the drug in question. If your lawsuit for birth injuries is based on the mother’s use of a legally-prescribed drug during pregnancy, you will generally need to show:

  • The mother used the drug in question during pregnancy
  • The mother’s use of the drug in question was prescribed by a physician, pharmacist, or other health care provider
  • The birth injury is not likely due to genetics, heredity, disease, or other factor (this is usually accomplished through expert opinion)
  • The drug in question is capable of causing birth defects
  • The drug in question actually caused the birth injury

Damages
If a child suffers harm due to an avoidable birth injury, damages awarded as part of a successful lawsuit will typically go to the child, sometimes in the form of a trust. Damage awards can include compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of future earning capacity.

Getting Legal Help in a Birth Injuries Case
Any situation involving avoidable birth injuries should be evaluated for a potential legal claim. Due to the complexity of the facts and legal issues involved in your case, discussing your situation with an attorney who is experienced in the area of birth injury and medical malpractice liability is the best way to ensure a thorough evaluation of the likelihood of your claim’s success and its potential value. Especially in light of deadlines for filing your lawsuit, meeting with an attorney sooner rather than later to evaluate your case is recommended.

At the law offices of The Law Offices Of Andrew Lynch we cannot promise you an outcome or predict the future, but if an outcome is possible we will work with you to make it a reality.

Please contact the Decatur, Georgia law office of The Law Offices Of Andrew Lynch for a free consultation today.

FAQs on Brain Injuries as a Result of Birth Injury

Brain injuries occurring as a result of birth trauma can be distressing for both the affected child and their families, as a Georgia brain and spinal cord injury attorney knows. Understanding the causes, signs, and available treatments for these injuries is essential for addressing the challenges they present. When you suspect your child’s brain injury is a result of medical negligence, reach out to The Law Offices Of Andrew Lynch.

What is a birth injury-related brain injury? 

A birth injury-related brain injury refers to damage sustained by the baby’s brain during the process of childbirth. These injuries can occur due to a variety of factors, such as oxygen deprivation, improper use of birthing tools, or complications during delivery. Trauma during birth can lead to bruising, bleeding, or swelling of the brain tissue, which in turn can result in a range of neurological issues.

What are the common causes of birth injury-related brain injuries? 

Birth injuries that lead to brain damage can result from various circumstances. Oxygen deprivation, known as birth asphyxia, can occur if there are complications with the umbilical cord, placenta, or the baby’s positioning during delivery. The use of forceps or vacuum extraction during delivery can also cause trauma to the baby’s head, leading to brain injuries. Additionally, prolonged labor or an emergency cesarean section can increase the risk of birth-related brain injuries.

What are the signs and symptoms of birth injury-related brain injuries? 

Your Georgia brain and spinal cord injury attorney knows that the signs and symptoms of birth injury-related brain injuries can vary widely depending on the severity and location of the injury. In mild cases, the baby may experience temporary symptoms such as lethargy, feeding difficulties, or irritability. More severe injuries can result in seizures, developmental delays, muscle weakness, and cognitive impairments. Some babies might exhibit difficulty in coordinating movements or reaching developmental milestones.

How are birth injury-related brain injuries diagnosed? 

Diagnosing birth injury-related brain injuries often involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests. Pediatricians and neonatologists will assess the baby’s neurological function, motor skills, and reflexes. Imaging techniques such as ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) scans can provide detailed images of the brain, helping to identify any abnormalities or damage.

Can birth injury-related brain injuries be treated? 

The treatment options for birth injury-related brain injuries depend on the extent of the damage and the specific challenges faced by the baby. Early intervention is crucial in providing the best possible outcomes. Treatment plans may include physical therapy to improve motor skills, speech therapy to address communication difficulties, and occupational therapy to enhance daily living skills. 

Birth injury-related brain injuries can have significant implications for a child’s development and overall well-being. Early detection, timely intervention, and a comprehensive treatment approach can contribute to improved outcomes and a better quality of life for children affected by birth injury-related brain injuries. It’s important for parents to communicate openly with healthcare providers and seek specialized care to ensure the best possible outcomes for their child’s future. If you would like to take legal action following your child’s injury as a result of medical negligence or malpractice, reach out to your trusted Georgia brain and spinal cord injury attorney from The Law Offices Of Andrew Lynch.