While most healthcare professionals are highly competent and capable, some make mistakes that can lead to the injury and even the tragic death of a newborn. When a child is born with a birth injury, parents are often left wondering how they will be able to afford the medical care their child needs and, where to turn next. At Montlick and Associates, our team of Atlanta Birth Injury Lawyers want to help. We have the knowledge and skills necessary to help you fight for the compensation your child deserves to live as normal a life as possible. Contact us today to learn more about how we can take the appropriate steps to protect your rights.

While there are a wide variety of medical mistakes relating to pregnancy and birth, the most common we come across are as follows:

  1. Failure to Treat Fetal Distress – During a typical childbirth, a baby transitions from a low oxygen environment in the womb to a high oxygen environment at birth without complication. And, even if a child starts to experience fetal distress, such as a drop in the heart rate, a skilled doctor can take action immediately to avoid injury. However, problems can arise when a nurse, midwife, or doctor fails to recognize the signs of fetal distress and take action to prevent unnecessary injury to a newborn. Such failure may include everything from misreading a fetal monitoring strip to not diagnosing certain conditions, such as fetal bradycardia, decelerations in the heart rate, or a low fetal heart rate variability. In these cases, a child can end up suffering from hypoxia (a lack of oxygen) and acidosis (high blood acid levels), potentially leading to serious brain damage and even death.
  2. Failure to Appropriately Treat Shoulder Dystocia – Undoubtedly, the birth canal is extremely narrow, and sometimes, doctors or midwives need to perform an episiotomy (surgically cutting the vaginal wall) to help facilitate the birthing process. Even with an episiotomy, a baby’s shoulder can get lodged under a woman’s pelvic bone, causing the child to get stuck and be unable to progress further into the birth canal. However, seasoned medical professionals are trained to address these situations, and with the right technique (such as vacuum extractor, forceps and physical manipulation), can often dislodge the baby without injury or further complication. Yet, some medical professionals fail to take the necessary measures to address shoulder dystocia, potentially leading to brain damage or brachial plexus injuries (injury to the bundle of nerves that control the muscles of the arm and hand).
  3. Failure to Properly Manage High Risk Pregnancies – Pregnancy can place a lot of stress on a woman’s body, leading to such common complications as pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension. While prenatal complications can be effectively managed, they can be overlooked, exposing the mother and child to unnecessary risks, including brain damage and death.

Put Our Over 39 Years of Legal Experience to Work For You!

At Montlick and Associates, our firm has been representing those who suffer from birth injuries located throughout all of Georgia and in the Southeast for over thirty years, including but not limited to all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.