Atlanta Birth Injury Attorneys

At ABC Law Centers, we understand the heartbreak and uncertainty that comes with learning your child has suffered a birth injury. Families in Atlanta face unique challenges, with high rates of maternal and infant mortality, especially among African American communities. Premature births are alarmingly common—last year, 11.8% of babies in Atlanta were born too soon. The March of Dimes has even given the city an “F” grade for its efforts to combat this issue, underscoring the urgent need for better healthcare. 

Babies who are born prematurely are at high risk for associated health complications, including birth injuries, because their organs are underdeveloped and vulnerable to damage. Some of those birth injuries include:

• Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE): a form of brain damage caused by a restriction in the flow of oxygenated blood to the brain
• Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL): damage to the brain’s white matter
• Birth trauma: a type of birth injury caused by excessive mechanical force during the birthing process
• Cerebral palsy (CP)
• Seizure disorders/epilepsy
• Intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DDs) 
• Vision and hearing impairments

If medical negligence or malpractice played a role in your child’s injury, an Atlanta birth injury lawyer from our compassionate legal team can help you hold the responsible parties accountable. Contact us today for a free consultation, and allow us to assist your family in seeking justice and securing the resources your child needs for the future.

Choosing the right legal team after a birth injury can make all the difference for your family’s future. At ABC Law Centers, we focus exclusively on birth injury cases, giving us deep insight into the complexities of medical malpractice claims. For over 25 years, we’ve dedicated ourselves to helping families like yours secure vital resources for their child’s care.

Our team stands apart thanks to our collaborative approach. We work closely with in-house registered nurses and leading medical experts. Together, we uncover instances of negligence and understand the full extent of your child’s needs. Whether your case involves hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), cerebral palsy, or another devastating injury, we have the tools and determination to fight for you.

We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney’s fees unless we secure compensation in your case. This way, you can focus on your child’s well-being without financial stress.

When you choose ABC Law Centers, you’re not just hiring a law firm—you’re gaining a compassionate partner to guide you through this challenging process. Contact us today to learn how we can help you secure justice and a brighter future for your child.

A birth injury occurs when a baby suffers preventable physical or neurological harm before, during, or shortly after delivery. While some minor injuries may heal with time, more severe birth injuries can result in lifelong challenges that affect mobility, cognition, and overall quality of life.

Many birth injuries are the result of medical negligence or malpractice. Birth injuries can happen when a doctor failed to properly monitor the baby’s health during labor or delivery, made critical errors in judgment, or didn’t act quickly enough to prevent harm. If medical care providers failed to meet the standard of care, they might be held accountable for the resulting injuries.

Filing a legal claim can help parents understand what happened. A successful claim also provides much-needed resources to cover your child’s ongoing medical expenses, adaptive equipment, therapy, and more. It’s a step that can bring hope and justice during an otherwise overwhelming time.

Birth injuries often stem from preventable mistakes made by medical professionals. Some of the most common factors include:

• Failure to Monitor Mother and Baby: Labor and delivery involve constant monitoring of the baby’s heart rate, oxygen levels, and overall well-being. If warning signs like fetal distress are missed or ignored, severe injury can occur.
• Delayed or Improper C-Section: When labor is not progressing, or there are signs of fetal distress, an emergency cesarean section may be necessary. Delays in making this decision, or errors during the procedure, can lead to serious complications.
• Improper Use of Tools: Obstetrical tools, such as forceps and vacuum extractors, require skill and precision. Improper use can result in fractures, nerve damage, or brain injuries.
• Medication Errors: Administering incorrect dosages of labor-inducing drugs or pain management medications can harm both mother and baby.
• Mismanagement of Neonatal Care: After birth, medical staff are responsible for quickly addressing conditions like jaundice, infections, or breathing difficulties. Delays or errors in neonatal care can lead to lasting harm.

Many parents never imagine that their trusted medical providers could make such preventable mistakes. However, when families suspect that negligence played a role in their child’s injury, investigating and pursuing legal action can help uncover the truth.

Birth injuries can take many forms, with some affecting physical health and others causing neurological damage. Some of the most common types of birth injuries include:

• Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE): HIE is a type of brain injury caused by a lack of oxygen and blood flow to the baby’s brain during labor or delivery. This condition can lead to developmental delays, seizures, and cerebral palsy.
• Cerebral Palsy: Often caused by brain injuries during or shortly after birth, cerebral palsy affects movement, posture, and coordination. It may require lifelong therapy and medical care.
• Brachial Plexus Injuries: These injuries occur when the nerves in a baby’s shoulder are stretched or torn during delivery, potentially leading to partial or complete loss of arm mobility.
• Neonatal Seizures: Seizures in newborns often indicate an underlying brain injury. They may lead to additional complications if not promptly treated.
• Bone Fractures and Physical Injuries: Incorrect use of delivery tools or excessive force during delivery can result in broken bones or other trauma.

Every case is unique, but the impact of birth injuries on both the child and their family is always profound. At ABC Law Centers, we focus on holding negligent parties accountable and helping families secure the financial support they need.

Determining liability in a birth injury case often requires a thorough review of medical records, expert testimony, and a nuanced understanding of the legal standards for medical malpractice. Various parties may be held accountable, including:

• Doctors and Obstetricians: Physicians are responsible for making sound medical decisions during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Errors in judgment, failure to monitor, or misuse of tools can result in liability.
• Nurses and Support Staff: Nurses play a crucial role in providing care and monitoring during delivery. Negligence in monitoring fetal health or responding to emergencies could constitute malpractice.
• Hospitals and Medical Facilities: If poor training, understaffing, or inadequate policies led to your baby’s injury, the hospital or facility might share responsibility.
• Labor and Delivery Specialists: Some medical professionals, such as anesthesiologists or neonatal specialists, may also be named in birth injury claims if their negligence contributed to the harm.

At ABC Law Centers, we are committed to uncovering every detail of what happened in your case. By identifying all responsible parties, we aim to secure the resources your child needs and bring you peace of mind as you plan for their future.

Proving negligence in a birth injury claim requires demonstrating that a medical care provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care, and that failure resulted in harm to your child. To successfully establish negligence, the following elements must be proven:

1. Duty of Care: Medical professionals have a duty to provide care that meets established medical standards. This includes monitoring both mother and baby, responding to signs of distress, and making timely and appropriate medical decisions.
2. Breach of Duty: A breach of duty occurs when a healthcare provider fails to meet those medical standards. Examples include not ordering an emergency C-section when necessary, improperly using medical tools, or failing to address complications during delivery.
3. Causation: It must be shown that the healthcare provider’s breach of duty directly caused or contributed to your child’s injury. Expert testimony is often used to establish this link between negligence and harm.
4. Damages: Finally, you must show that the injury resulted in damages, such as medical expenses, long-term care costs, or emotional suffering. These damages demonstrate why compensation is necessary to support your child’s well-being.

Our team of Atlanta birth injury attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case, consult with medical experts, and gather evidence to build a strong claim on your behalf.

When a birth injury is caused by medical negligence, families face many unexpected challenges and expenses. Compensation can help provide the financial resources needed to care for your child and support their long-term well-being. Depending on your case, you may be entitled to recover damages that include the following:

• Medical Expenses: Coverage for past, current, and future medical costs, including surgeries, hospital stays, medications, and specialized treatments.
• Therapy and Rehabilitation: Funds for physical, occupational, and speech therapy to help your child achieve developmental milestones.
• Assistive Devices and Technology: Compensation for mobility aids (such as wheelchairs), communication devices, and other tools that enhance your child’s quality of life.
• Home and Vehicle Modifications: Financial assistance to make your home and vehicle accessible and accommodating for your child’s needs, such as installing ramps, lifts, or widened doorways.
• Lost Income: Reimbursement for wages lost due to caring for your child or attending medical appointments.
• Pain, Suffering, and Emotional Damages: Recognition of the emotional toll on your family and compensation for the profound impact this injury has had on your life.

We understand that seeking justice is not just about financial recovery—it’s about ensuring your child has everything they need to thrive now and in the future.

Below are answers to frequently asked questions regarding birth injuries: 

In Georgia, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is generally two years from the date the medical negligence occurred. However, exceptions exist for minors. For children, the deadline may be extended to their seventh birthday, depending on the specifics of the case. Since these time limits are strict, it’s essential to consult a legal professional promptly to preserve your child’s right to compensation.

A birth injury is harm caused during pregnancy, labor, delivery, or the neonatal period, often as a result of medical negligence. Birth defects, on the other hand, are typically due to genetic factors or developmental issues. They are not usually linked to malpractice.

Yes, it is best to work with a lawyer that focuses on birth injury. A birth injury claim is a complex process that requires extensive legal and medical knowledge. An experienced birth injury lawyer can evaluate your case, work with medical experts, and fight for the compensation your family needs.

The timeline for a birth injury case varies depending on factors like the complexity of the case and whether it goes to trial. Birth injuries may take several years to show the effect on the child. Parents and doctors will have to watch for signs of developmental delays, seizures, or cerebral palsy. Birth injury cases may take years to observe the child before going to a settlement or trial. Your attorney will keep you informed every step of the way.

At ABC Law Centers, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means you won’t owe us any legal fees unless we win your case. This allows families to pursue justice without worrying about upfront costs.

The team at ABC Law Centers: Birth Injury Lawyers focuses exclusively on advocating for children with birth injuries, and we have both the legal and medical knowledge necessary to win these complex cases. Although our office is based in Michigan, senior attorney Rebecca Walsh is licensed to practice in Atlanta and throughout the state of Georgia.

Rebecca has been practicing law since 1992 and has won many awards for her work advocating for children with birth injuries. She spends a great deal of time getting to know each child and family she works for, and fights hard to ensure that her clients receive access to the resources they need for a secure, healthy future and good quality of life.

Taking legal action after a birth injury can feel overwhelming, and you may not know where to turn. At ABC Law Centers, we are committed to providing compassionate, legal guidance to families in Atlanta navigating the challenges of medical negligence. Here’s how we can help:

• Evaluate your case to identify instances of medical malpractice and negligence
• Work with leading medical experts and professionals to build a strong case
• Handle all legal documentation and negotiations so you can focus on your child
• Fight relentlessly to secure the resources your family needs for a secure and hopeful future

When your child’s future is on the line, experience and dedication matter. Contact the caring team at ABC Law Centers today at (248) 593-5100 or through our online form for a free and confidential consultation. Together, we’ll explore your legal options and help you move forward with peace of mind.