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Welcoming a child into the world should be filled with joy, not fear. But when medical professionals make preventable mistakes, families are often left with devastating consequences that never should have happened.
At The Dixon Firm, our Atlanta birth injury attorneys understand how hard it is to even think about legal action when you are focused on your child’s care. However, we also recognize the importance of holding negligent providers accountable. This is not just about a lawsuit – it’s about your family, your child’s future, and demanding justice when others fail to do what they were entrusted to do.
Types of Birth Injuries
Birth injuries can vary widely depending on what went wrong during delivery. Below are some of the more common and serious conditions we see at our firm.
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder caused by abnormal brain development or damage during childbirth. It affects muscle control, coordination, balance, and posture. Often, oxygen deprivation or head trauma during labor are contributing factors.
Brachial Plexus Injuries
This type of injury occurs when the nerves that control movement in the shoulder, arm, and hand are stretched or torn. It commonly happens during difficult deliveries where excessive force is used to pull the baby out. In severe cases, children may face permanent paralysis or require multiple surgeries to regain partial function.
Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)
HIE happens from a lack of oxygen to the baby’s brain during labor or delivery. It can lead to severe developmental delays, seizures, and permanent brain damage. Time is critical—even a few minutes without proper oxygen can change a child’s life forever.
Skull Fractures
While some fractures may heal with time, a skull fracture during delivery is always a red flag. These injuries often point to the use of forceps or vacuum extractors or even excessive pressure during a Cesarean section. Additional complications, like brain bleeds or swelling, can accompany a fracture and make matters worse.
Facial Nerve Injuries
Compression or stretching of the facial nerve during birth can result in facial paralysis. This may be temporary in some infants, but in others, especially when forceps are misused, the damage can be long-lasting and disfiguring.
Causes of Birth Injuries
A birth injury does not occur in a vacuum. It can be the result of one or more preventable medical errors. Below are some common birth injury causes we investigate.
Failure to Monitor Fetal Distress
When doctors and nurses fail to recognize or respond to signs that the baby is in distress, such as abnormal heart rates, the results can be catastrophic. Fetal monitoring is not optional—it is a standard part of labor and delivery.
Improper Use of Delivery Tools
Forceps and vacuum extractors should only be used in particular scenarios and with extreme caution. If a provider misuses these tools or without a clear indication, the risk of injury to both baby and mother increases dramatically.
Delayed Cesarean Section
Sometimes, a C-section is the safest route for delivery. But if doctors wait too long to make the call, especially when complications arise, that delay can cost a child their health or even their life.
Miscommunication Between Medical Staff
Clear, timely communication in the delivery room saves lives. When nurses fail to relay vital information to physicians or when teams are not aligned on treatment plans, errors happen. Sadly, those errors can result in irreversible injury.
Symptoms of Birth Injuries
Some birth injuries are immediately apparent. Others do not show up until weeks, months, or even years later. According to our Atlanta personal injury attorneys, birth injury symptoms to watch for include:
- Seizures within the first 24 hours
- Limp or weak limbs
- Difficulty sucking, swallowing, or feeding
- Delays in developmental milestones
- Muscle stiffness or floppiness
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, it is always worth asking questions.
Long-Term Consequences of Birth Injuries
The truth no one wants to hear is that many birth injuries have lifelong impacts. Children with brain damage, nerve injuries, or mobility issues often require constant care, specialized education, and repeated surgeries or therapies.
But it is not just the child who suffers. Mothers can experience physical trauma, such as uterine tears or nerve damage, and emotional trauma that lingers long after leaving the hospital. PTSD, anxiety, and even postpartum depression can be intensified when a birth goes wrong because of someone else’s negligence.
And for many families, these consequences are not just emotional—they are financial. The costs of long-term care can be staggering.
How Do You Prove Liability for a Birth Injury?
Proving that a doctor or nurse caused your child’s injury is not always straightforward. It typically involves:
- Thorough review of medical records
- Consulting with medical professionals to identify deviations from standard care
- Analyzing fetal monitoring strips, delivery room notes, and imaging
- Collecting testimony from witnesses, including hospital staff
It is not enough that something went wrong. We have to prove that what happened was preventable and that the harm was a direct result of that failure. That is where our firm steps in. We build the case with precision, dedication, and urgency.
Birth Injury Damages You Can Fight For
When a birth injury occurs due to medical negligence, families can pursue compensation for:
- Ongoing medical care and therapy
- Adaptive equipment and home modifications
- Lost future income if the child is disabled
- Pain and suffering, for the child
- Emotional distress, for the child
- Punitive damages in extreme cases
This compensation is not about “getting rich.” It’s about giving your child the best life possible despite the challenges they face.
Steps to Take After a Birth Injury
If you believe a birth injury occurred, here is what you need to do next:
- Request a full copy of all medical records related to the pregnancy and delivery.
- Keep detailed notes about any symptoms or diagnoses your child receives.
- Discuss your concerns with your child’s pediatrician.
- Contact a trusted Atlanta birth injury lawyer from The Dixon Firm for a free consultation.
Do not wait. There are strict time limits for filing claims, and an early investigation can make a significant difference.
How The Dixon Firm Can Help with a Birth Injury Claim
At The Dixon Firm, we do not just pursue compensation—we pursue accountability. Every case we take is about far more than a verdict or a settlement. It is about ensuring that your voice is heard and that the people who harmed your family are held responsible.
We understand the deep emotional pain that comes with these cases. That is why we lead with compassion, listening carefully to your concerns and walking beside you every step of the way. We fight hard in court, but we are also here to provide support, resources, and hope.
We believe in justice beyond the courtroom. For us, that means pushing for outcomes that help families reclaim their future—whether that is financial support for lifelong care or a sense of closure that comes with someone finally saying, “This should not have happened.”
Contact The Dixon Firm for Help with Your Case Today
If your child suffered a preventable injury at birth, you are not alone. The Dixon Firm is ready to stand beside you. Let us help you fight for your child’s future.
Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
