Childbirth is a natural and joyous event, but it can also be dangerous for both the mother and the baby. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), serious complications during childbirth account for over $17.4 billion in hospital costs each year. What’s more, birth injuries are responsible for more than one-quarter of the medical malpractice claims paid out by hospitals in the United States annually.
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Why Choose Our Atlanta Birth Injury Attorneys?
Why Should I Hire A Birth Injury Attorney in Atlanta?
What Are The Procedures of a Birth Injury Case?
What is a Birth Injury?
Birth Injuries vs. Birth Defects
The Main Causes of Birth Injuries
What if Birth Injury Was Caused by Medical Malpractice?
Atlanta Birth Injury Frequently Asked Questions
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Why Choose Our Birth Injury Lawyers in Atlanta?
While not all childbirth complications are preventable or the result of medical malpractice, some are. If you suspect that you or your child has suffered an injury during childbirth due to the negligence of a medical professional, you should contact our team of Georgia medical malpractice lawyers at once.
Julie A. Rice, Attorney at Law, & Affiliates, P.C., has helped numerous families recover compensation for birth injuries resulting from medical malpractice. Call our birth injury lawyers in Atlanta to schedule a free consultation.
Meet Attorney and Founder: Julie A. Rice
Since 1994, Julie A. Rice has been practicing law in metro Atlanta and beyond. With a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from the University of Minnesota, she majored in Psychology and Women’s Studies and minored in Scandinavian Studies. She then obtained her Juris Doctorate from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1993. Julie became a licensed attorney in Georgia on June 4, 1994, and is listed in the State Bar of Georgia under Julie A. Rice or Julie A. Hauge Rice, Attorney at Law.
Testimonials
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“Energetic, knowledgeable and innovative! Julie is accomplished at many topics; I’ve used her services over the past 20 years for employment benefits, vehicle and property damage, landlord-tenant issues, wills & legacy planning, even divorce.”
– ANONYMOUS CLIENT
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“I highly recommend her as your attorney. My family and I interviewed several attorneys before we found Ms. Rice. This attorney knows the law. We found her to be attentive, precise and thorough in every way.”
– BILLY JOE KING
Notable Case Result:
$3.7 MILLION – BIRTH INJURY MEDICAL MALPRACTICE FROM DELAYED DELIVERY RESULTING IN PERMANENT BRAIN DAMAGE TO THE CHILD CAUSED BY LACK OF OXYGEN TO THE FETUS DURING THE DELIVERY AND FETAL AND MATERNAL DISTRESS
Why Hire an Atlanta Birth Injury Lawyer?
There are several reasons why hiring a Atlanta birth injury attorney can be beneficial if you or your child has been injured during the birthing process. Here are some of the key reasons:
- Legal knowledge: Birth injury cases can be complex and require a deep understanding of medical malpractice law. An experienced birth injury attorney in Atlanta will have the legal experience and understanding to navigate the legal system and advocate for your rights.
- Medical knowledge: In addition to having extensive legal knowledge, a birth injury lawyer should also have a solid understanding of medical procedures and terminology. This knowledge will help them to better understand your medical records and to communicate effectively with medical experts.
- Investigation and gathering evidence: A skilled Atlanta birth injury lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation to gather evidence related to your case. This may include interviewing witnesses, reviewing medical records, and consulting with medical experts.
- Negotiation and settlement: A birth injury lawyer in Atlanta will work to negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company or the responsible party. They will fight for your rights and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
- Trial representation: In some cases, a birth injury case may go to trial. In these situations, a skilled birth injury lawyer will represent you in court and fight for your rights and best interests.
Hiring a birth injury lawyer in Atlanta can provide you with the legal understanding, medical knowledge, and representation you need to navigate the complex world of birth injury cases and achieve the best outcome for your case.
Procedure in a Birth Injury Case
If your child has suffered a birth injury due to medical negligence, understanding the procedure involved in pursuing a birth injury case is crucial. As experienced birth injury attorneys, we are dedicated to guiding you through this process and advocating for your rights. Here is an overview of the general procedure in a birth injury case:
Initial Consultation: Schedule an initial consultation with a birth injury attorney. We will listen to your story, review medical records, and assess the viability of your case. This helps us understand your situation and provide informed legal advice.
Investigation and Gathering Evidence: If your case has merit, we will conduct a thorough investigation, gathering evidence to support your claim. This may involve obtaining medical records, consulting experts, and identifying instances of potential negligence.
Building the Legal Strategy: Based on the evidence, our legal team will develop a strong strategy tailored to your case. We will establish a clear link between the negligence and the birth injury, demonstrate the expected standard of care, and highlight the damages suffered.
Filing the Lawsuit: We will file a birth injury lawsuit on your behalf, adhering to procedural requirements and statutes of limitations.
Discovery and Negotiations: During the discovery phase, both parties exchange information and evidence. We will depose witnesses and engage in negotiations to potentially reach a settlement.
Trial and Resolution: If a settlement cannot be reached, the case proceeds to trial. Our trial attorneys will present your case, advocating for your rights. The judge or jury will consider the evidence and make a decision on liability and damages.
Please note that the specific steps and timeline may vary for each birth injury case. Having a knowledgeable birth injury attorney by your side ensures your case is handled with expertise and care. We are committed to fighting for justice on behalf of your child and your family throughout the legal process.
What is a Birth Injury?
A birth injury is any physical harm that the mother or the infant suffers during or shortly after childbirth. Birth injuries can occur for a variety of reasons, including malpractice by a medical professional.
Some common Atlanta birth injuries suffered by infants include:
- Cerebral palsy
- Erb’s palsy
- Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
- Brachial plexus injury
- Developmental delay
- Face or body paralysis
- Brain damage
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Shoulder dystocia
The most common injuries sustained by mothers during childbirth are as follows:
- Vaginal tearing
- Postpartum hemorrhaging
- Prolapsed uterus
- Incision infection
- Blood clots
- Injuries to the bowel, bladder, or surrounding organs
- Adverse reactions to general anesthesia or medication
Birth Injury vs. Birth Defect: What’s the Difference?
Birth defects and birth injuries are often confused, but they are not the same. Birth defects occur when a baby’s body does not develop properly while in the womb, typically during the first trimester of pregnancy. Birth defects can result from genetics, maternal or paternal health problems, or environmental factors.
Birth injuries, on the other hand, occur during or immediately after delivery, and they are caused by something that went wrong during the delivery process. While birth defects are more common than birth injuries, birth injuries still affect an estimated seven in every 1,000 births in the United States. Our birth injury lawyers in Atlanta guarantee we know the difference between an injury and defects.
The Main Causes of Birth Injuries
Birth injuries can occur naturally or as a result of medical malpractice. Medical malpractice occurs when a medical professional deviates from the accepted standard of care and causes harm to the mother or the infant.
Some of the most common causes of birth injuries resulting from medical malpractice include:
- Delays in responding to a medical need
- Failure to respond to fetal distress
- Delays in performing a cesarean section
- Inappropriately administering Pitocin or other drugs to induce labor
- Failure to anticipate birth complications
Additionally, birth injuries can occur if a medical professional uses delivery equipment (such as a vacuum cup or forceps) incorrectly, which can lead to injuries such as paralysis, skull fractures, or brain bleeding. In the event a doctor has performed poorly during the delivery process, contact our obstetrical error lawyer in Atlanta for the compensation you deserve.
What If the Birth Injury in Atlanta Was Caused by Medical Malpractice?
If you or your child has suffered a birth injury due to medical malpractice, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact our Atlanta medical malpractice lawyers today to learn more. This compensation can help cover the costs of medical bills, future medical care, future loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and disfigurement or impairment.
However, not all birth injuries are the result of medical malpractice. To determine if you have a viable medical malpractice claim, a thorough review of your medical records will need to be performed by a qualified medical expert.
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Atlanta Birth Injury FAQs
Can I file a birth injury claim if my child has developmental issues later in life?
Yes, you may still be able to file a birth injury claim if developmental issues arise later in your child’s life due to medical negligence during childbirth. It’s recommended to consult an attorney to determine the best course of action based on your circumstances.
How do I start a birth injury claim in Atlanta?
To begin a birth injury claim, reach out to our dedicated attorneys at Julie A. Rice, Attorney at Law, & Affiliates. You can contact us through our website or call our office to schedule a free consultation. During this meeting, we’ll discuss your situation, answer your questions, and provide guidance on the legal steps ahead.
Can both the mother and child be affected by medical malpractice during childbirth?
Yes, both the mother and the child can be affected by medical malpractice during childbirth. Injuries to the mother could include complications from surgical procedures, anesthesia errors, or other negligent actions by medical staff.
How long does a birth injury case typically take to resolve?
The duration of a birth injury case can vary widely based on factors such as the complexity of the case, the willingness to negotiate, court schedules, and more. An attorney can provide an estimated timeline after reviewing your case.
Contact Julie A. Rice, Attorney at Law, & Affiliates, P.C. to Learn More About Your Legal Options
If you or your child has suffered a birth injury in Atlanta, you need a dedicated and experienced Atlanta birth injury attorney on your side who can fight for your rights and seek the compensation you deserve. At Julie A. Rice, Attorney at Law, & Affiliates, P.C., we understand the devastating impact that birth injuries can have on families, and we are committed to helping our clients obtain justice.
Our team of Atlanta birth injury attorneys have a wealth of experience in this area of law, and we are passionate about holding negligent medical professionals accountable for their actions. Call us today at (770) 865-8654 or contact us to schedule a free consultation. Our Atlanta birth injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means we do not collect a legal fee unless we obtain compensation for you.