Georgia & South Carolina
Wrongful Death from Birth Injuries
Dedicated Savannah Birth Injury Law Firm Seeking Justice for Families Who Lost a Child
Suthers & Harper understand the profound loss families face when a newborn’s death results from a preventable medical error. Birth-related deaths account for 66% of all infant fatalities in the United States, underscoring the need for proper medical intervention. When doctors fail to perform a timely C-section, mismanage fetal distress, or make critical mistakes during delivery, the consequences can be fatal. Georgia law allows parents to pursue a wrongful death claim against negligent medical providers to seek justice and financial relief.
A Georgia wrongful death from birth injuries lawyer at Suthers & Harper helps grieving families understand their legal options. If a preventable medical mistake led to a newborn’s passing, holding the responsible parties accountable may provide closure and financial security. Cases involving fetal distress and monitoring errors, misdiagnosed infections, or improper delivery techniques require a legal team with the resources and experience to fight for justice.
Common Causes of Fatal Birth Injuries
Medical negligence can lead to fatal complications before, during, or shortly after birth. Some of the most common causes include:
- Oxygen deprivation – Conditions like hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) or umbilical cord compression can result in fatal brain damage.
- Delayed C-sections – Failure to perform an emergency cesarean can lead to prolonged distress, causing severe injury or death.
- Fetal monitoring errors – Misinterpreted heart rate tracings may prevent doctors from recognizing distress when intervening.
- Placental complications – Placental abruption, placenta previa, or uterine rupture can cause excessive blood loss, leading to fatal outcomes for the baby.
- Improper delivery techniques – Excessive force, misuse of forceps, or vacuum extraction can cause skull fractures, brain hemorrhages, or spinal cord damage.
Doctors are responsible for recognizing and addressing these complications immediately. When they fail to act, a Georgia birth injury attorney investigates whether medical negligence played a role in a newborn’s death.
How Medical Negligence Leads to Fatal Birth Injuries
Doctors and hospital staff must provide a standard level of care to ensure the safety of both mother and baby. Fatal errors often occur due to:
- Failure to monitor fetal distress – A low Apgar score or abnormal fetal heart rate may indicate serious complications, but some medical providers ignore or misinterpret these signs.
- Delayed response to complications – Prolonged labor, maternal bleeding, or meconium aspiration requires immediate intervention to prevent severe harm.
- Medication errors – Incorrect dosages of labor-inducing drugs or anesthesia can cause life-threatening complications for both the mother and baby.
- Failure to provide postnatal care – Some newborns require respiratory support or emergency treatment immediately after birth, but medical teams do not always act fast enough.
When these mistakes result in a fatal birth injury, families may have grounds for a wrongful death claim. A Georgia wrongful death birth injury lawyer helps parents hold negligent providers accountable.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Fatal Birth Injury?
Several parties may share responsibility when a preventable birth injury results in death. Potentially liable parties include:
- Obstetricians and gynecologists – A doctor who fails to recognize fetal distress or delays a necessary intervention may be held responsible.
- Nurses and medical staff – Labor and delivery teams must monitor both mother and baby closely to detect and address complications.
- Anesthesiologists – Errors in administering epidurals or general anesthesia can lead to fatal complications.
- Hospitals and birthing centers – If understaffing, improper training or lack of emergency equipment contribute to a newborn’s death, the facility itself may bear responsibility.
A Georgia birth injury attorney reviews medical records, consults expert witnesses, and builds a case to hold the appropriate parties accountable.
The Emotional and Financial Toll of Medical Malpractice During Labor and Delivery
Losing a newborn due to medical negligence brings unimaginable grief, but the financial strain can also be overwhelming. Families often face unexpected medical bills, funeral expenses, and lost wages from taking time off work to grieve. The emotional toll can lead to long-term psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
A Georgia wrongful death from birth injuries lawyer at Suthers & Harper not only seeks financial compensation but also advocates for the emotional well-being of grieving families. Pursuing legal action can provide a sense of justice and ensure that negligent medical providers are held accountable to prevent future tragedies.
Suthers & Harper Helps Families Pursue Justice After a Tragic Birth Injury
Losing a child due to a preventable medical error is a devastating experience no family should endure. Suthers & Harper has the financial resources and legal expertise to take on medical providers and hospitals, ensuring that negligent actions do not go unchallenged. A wrongful death claim can provide families with financial support for medical expenses, funeral costs, and emotional suffering. Contact Suthers & Harper to learn how we can help you seek accountability and justice for your loss. You can reach our Savannah birth injury lawyers by calling 800-320-2384 or through our secure online contact form.