College Park Birth Injury Attorneys

What’s supposed to be a momentous and joyous occasion can be a cause for grief if your child sustains an injury during delivery. Speak to one of Kaufman Injury Law’s experienced College Park birth injury attorneys immediately if you find yourself in this situation. Compensation may be available to help you and your family.

No amount of money can undo the pain and emotional anguish of seeing your child born with injuries. However, you don’t deserve to bear the financial costs of these injuries — you deserve justice, and with our firm’s help, it’s within reach.

Common Birth Injuries in College Park, Georgia

Our skilled attorneys can assist with cases involving a wide variety of birth injuries, including the following:

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy isn’t always the result of a birth injury. However, if the baby’s oxygen supply is disrupted during delivery, brain damage and conditions like cerebral palsy can quickly follow.

Your delivery team should look for signs of fetal distress and be ready to respond appropriately. The longer your child goes without oxygen, the greater the risk of lasting health problems.

You may not immediately notice signs of cerebral palsy in your child. It can take a few months for you to notice symptoms like developmental delays, weak or abnormal muscle tone, and involuntary movements. The longer your newborn is deprived of oxygen, the more severe their cerebral palsy may turn out to be.

Brachial Palsy

Obstetricians who use too much force on a newborn’s arms and neck during delivery can damage the nerves in that area. This can lead to brachial palsy, a condition characterized by weakness or paralysis in the affected arm.

Depending on the force used, this condition may heal over time with extensive therapy. However, some cases are severe, and it’s possible that your child may never regain full function.

Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

Another common birth injury that results from low oxygen flow to a newborn’s brain is hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). A newborn who suffers a stroke or brain bleed before, during, or after delivery is at risk of developing this condition. The longer your child’s brain is deprived of oxygen-rich blood, the greater their risk of HIE.

HIE is characterized by neurological and developmental issues. You may notice that your child displays abnormal muscle tone, is unusually alert or inattentive, or has seizures. As with CP, the length of time your child goes without crucial oxygen will determine the severity of their resulting disability.

If your child has experienced any of these birth injuries, reach out to Kaufman Injury Law and our capable College Park birth injury team. Our attorneys will evaluate your situation and help you understand your legal rights and options. When you’re ready, your attorney will be there to help you take action to address your child’s suffering.

How to Know Whether You Have a Valid Claim

You may be hesitant to seek legal help if you aren’t certain you have a case. Every situation is unique. At Kaufman Injury Law, our birth injury lawyers will take the time to hear your story. Only by listening and understanding can we offer you the legal guidance you need.

Generally speaking, you may have a birth injury claim if any of the following conditions apply:

Your Medical Team Provided Substandard Care

Obstetricians and nurses can never guarantee a problem-free delivery. However, they have an obligation to provide expectant mothers and their newborns with competent, reasonable care. Unfortunately, it can be challenging for parents to know the difference between the two. That’s where your College Park birth injury lawyer comes in.

Our attorneys are familiar with the standards of care that medical professionals in and around College Park must meet. A careful review of your medical records can reveal whether your delivery team abided by these standards in your case.

The Care You Received Resulted in Your Child’s Birth Injury

Next, the evidence must indicate that your child developed cerebral palsy, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, or another birth injury because of the care you received. For example, a nurse who fails to notice that a newborn’s oxygen level is dropping could be held liable for any resulting health issues.

As with the standard of care, it’s not always clear whether a medical error led directly to a birth injury. Your Kaufman Injury Law attorney has the resources and experience necessary to make that determination.

Your Family Suffered Harm and Needs Compensation

Finally, you must demonstrate that you’ve suffered financial or other losses that can be addressed through formal compensation. These may include:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Physical or occupational therapy costs
• Expenses associated with medical devices or home health services
• Emotional pain and suffering

The present and future costs of a birth injury can be difficult to quantify. Your attorney will patiently explain to you how your child’s injuries can affect their needs in the short and long term. Beyond that, they can help you file your claim and pursue compensation from those responsible for your child’s injuries.

Don’t let fear or uncertainty keep you from exercising your rights. Contact Kaufman Injury Law today to speak with a compassionate attorney. Your lawyer will evaluate your case and explain your rights clearly and without judgment.

We’re here to support you during this difficult time, so don’t hesitate to reach out.

Birth Injury Statute of Limitations in College Park

Georgia has strict time limits for filing injury claims, including those stemming from birth injuries.

The statute of limitations for filing a birth injury claim in Georgia is generally two years. This timeline begins when you discover or should reasonably have discovered the injury or its symptoms.

For example, suppose that your child’s oxygen levels drop during delivery due to a nurse’s oversight. However, it isn’t until months later that you begin to notice the signs of cerebral palsy and take your child to another doctor for a diagnosis. At this point, the two-year statute of limitations goes into effect.

You should never ignore the signs of a birth injury. In the previous example, the statute of limitations would begin when your child started showing symptoms of cerebral palsy, regardless of whether you followed up with a doctor. If you delay in seeking or following up on expert medical guidance, you could run out of time to file a claim.

Even if you’re unsure about your situation, it’s wise to speak with a qualified attorney. The sooner you seek legal counsel, the better off you and your family will be.

Where Are Birth Injury Cases Heard in College Park?

Birth injury lawsuits are civil cases that are heard in the local state court where the child’s injury occurred.

For example, if your newborn was delivered in DeKalb County, you would file your case in the DeKalb County State Court. Similarly, if the doctor who delivered your child and caused their injury works in Henry County, you could file your case in the Henry County State Court.

With a birth injury lawyer serving College Park on your side, you don’t need to worry about figuring out where to file your case. Your attorney will take the proper steps to ensure that your claim is filed properly and on time.

Turn to Kaufman Injury Law Today 

If you suspect that your child has suffered a birth injury, contact our office to arrange a consultation with one of our birth injury attorneys. Our accomplished legal team will provide the empathetic and effective advocacy you need to make things right.