Brain Injuries

Respected Savannah Birth Injury Lawyers Aggressively Pursuing Compensation on Behalf of Families

Suthers & Harper represents families whose newborns have suffered brain injuries caused by preventable medical mistakes. Errors such as oxygen deprivation, improper fetal monitoring, or misuse of delivery tools can result in lifelong cognitive, physical, and developmental disabilities. Parents caring for a child with severe impairments often face overwhelming financial and emotional challenges.

A Georgia birth injury lawyer at Suthers & Harper investigates cases of preventable brain damage and fights for justice on behalf of affected families. Whether the injury resulted from a delayed C-section, mismanagement of labor, or an untreated infection, legal action may provide the financial support needed for ongoing medical care and specialized treatment.

Birth-Related Brain Injuries and Medical Malpractice in Georgia

Brain injuries at birth can lead to lifelong cognitive, physical, and developmental impairments. Some of these injuries result from unavoidable complications, but others stem from medical negligence during labor and delivery. In the last reported study, neonatal birth trauma increased by 23%, rising from 25.3 to 31.1 per 1,000 hospital births. While scalp injuries accounted for 80% of these cases, more severe birth trauma—including intracranial hemorrhages and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)—continues to pose serious risks for newborns.

A Georgia brain injury lawyer helps families determine whether medical negligence contributed to their child’s condition. If a healthcare provider fails to recognize distress, delayed intervention, or mishandled delivery tools, legal action may provide financial relief for medical treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care.

How Medical Negligence Causes Birth-Related Brain Injuries

Doctors must act quickly when signs of fetal distress or delivery complications arise. When medical professionals fail to meet the standard of care, a newborn may suffer severe brain damage. Common errors leading to birth-related brain injuries include:

• Oxygen deprivation (HIE) – Delayed C-sections or mismanaged umbilical cord complications can cause prolonged oxygen loss, resulting in permanent neurological damage.
• Traumatic head injuries – Improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors can cause skull fractures, brain swelling, or bleeding inside the skull.
• Undiagnosed maternal infections – Certain infections during pregnancy, such as meningitis or chorioamnionitis, can contribute to brain inflammation or developmental impairments.
• Failure to monitor fetal distress – A lack of oxygen, abnormal heart rates, or signs of distress require immediate intervention to prevent severe harm.

Brain injuries can range in severity, and some conditions may not become apparent until months or years later. A Georgia birth injury attorney reviews medical records and consults experts to determine whether medical malpractice played a role in a child’s diagnosis.

Types of Brain Injuries in Newborns

Brain trauma at birth can have various causes and impacts. Some injuries heal with proper treatment, while others result in permanent disabilities. The most common types of neonatal brain injuries include:

• Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) – A severe condition caused by oxygen deprivation, often leading to motor impairments such as cerebral palsy.
• Intracranial Hemorrhages – Bleeding inside the skull that may cause seizures, brain swelling, and long-term cognitive challenges.
• Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL) – White matter brain damage that increases the risk of motor disorders and developmental delays.
• Skull Fractures and Scalp Injuries – Though often considered minor, some scalp injuries serve as markers of underlying brain trauma.

While major birth trauma decreased from 5.44 to 4.67 per 1,000 hospital births, these cases remain a significant health burden. Compared to scalp injuries, severe birth trauma is linked to higher rates of HIE, seizures, mechanical ventilation, and meconium aspiration. Infants with significant brain injuries often require extensive medical intervention and long-term rehabilitation.

The High Cost of Brain Injury Treatment

Families caring for a child with a birth-related brain injury face overwhelming medical expenses. Studies show that for major birth trauma cases, the length of hospital stay increases by 56%, and total medical costs nearly double compared to minor birth injuries. Treatment often involves:

Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stays

• Surgeries to relieve brain swelling or bleeding,
• Physical and occupational therapy,
• Speech and cognitive rehabilitation, and
• Medication for seizures or neurological disorders.

Many families struggle to afford the specialized care their children need. A Georgia brain injury lawyer helps parents pursue compensation to cover medical costs, therapy, and long-term support.

Proving Medical Malpractice in Brain Injury Cases

Holding a negligent healthcare provider accountable requires strong legal evidence. Proving that a birth injury resulted from medical malpractice involves:

• Reviewing medical records to identify errors or delays in care;
• Consulting expert witnesses to explain how negligence contributed to brain damage; and
• Analyzing fetal monitoring data to determine whether doctors responded appropriately to distress signals.

A Georgia birth injury attorney works with medical specialists to build a compelling case. When hospitals or physicians fail to provide proper care, legal action can help families recover financial support for their child’s needs.

Suthers & Harper Fights for Families Affected by Birth Injuries

Brain damage at birth can lead to permanent disabilities, requiring lifelong medical care and specialized treatment. Suthers & Harper is known for taking on challenging medical malpractice cases and securing substantial recoveries for families. If a healthcare provider’s negligence led to your child’s brain injury, legal action can help ensure financial support for ongoing therapy and medical needs. Contact Suthers & Harper to discuss how we can help your family hold the responsible parties accountable. You can reach our Savannah birth injury lawyers by calling 800-320-2384 or through our secure online contact form.