Protecting the Legal Interests of Injured Mothers

Fetuses and newborns are incredibly fragile during pregnancy and during childbirth — but they are not the only people who can be harmed by a doctor's oversight during these times. Far too often, medical negligence causes mothers to be injured or even killed during pregnancy or during the delivery of a new baby.

At the Olson Law Firm, in Atlanta, Georgia, we provide skilled legal representation for women who suffer serious permanent injury as a result of medical negligence. Since we devote our entire legal practice to medical malpractice matters, we have the knowledge, skills and experience needed to properly handle these complex legal claims.

Contact our office today for more information about our firm or to discuss your legal concerns with skilled medical malpractice attorney Erik Olson.

Understanding Legal Claims for Mothers Injured During Pregnancy

Women who receive substandard prenatal care or whose doctors fail to diagnose critical medical conditions are at higher risk to suffer major injury. These medical conditions include:

• Placental insufficiency : Failure to test for and diagnose placental insufficiency during pregnancy can result in damage to the fetus's central nervous system. The mother faces increased health risks as well.
• Preeclampsia : Failure to test for or diagnose moderate to severe preeclampsia (high blood pressure in the mother) can put both the mother and fetus at risk of serious health complications.
• Oligohydramnios : Relatively simple treatments have been shown to successfully manage low amniotic fluid levels. Without such treatment, the fetus may develop spinal cord injury or musculoskeletal abnormalities. Oligohydramnios may increase the risk of a difficult delivery, which places the mother and child at greater risk of health complications.

Understanding Legal Claims for Mothers Injured During Delivery

Much like any other medical procedure, the potential complications during childbirth vary widely. An obstetrician may do everything correctly, and a mother may still develop severe internal bleeding or have a negative reaction to anesthesia.

However, in some cases the doctors don't do everything correctly. A doctor may make a surgical error during a c-section, fail to recognize signs of a surgical complication, or perform an unnecessary hysterectomy. Improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors can cause unnecessary infections and serious lacerations. In some cases, a doctor's mistakes can lead to maternal death.

When doctors don't act properly and their mistakes lead to serious injuries, they must be held accountable. Through medical malpractice and wrongful death claims, we work to ensure that these mistakes are not ignored and repeated.

Working With Medical Experts To Develop Strong Cases

Developing a strong malpractice case requires a lawyer who can explain the story behind the harm suffered by the injured mother —including the mistakes of the doctor, the injuries to the mother and the long-term consequences of these injuries. Medical testimony by expert witnesses is one critical component of this story. When a medical malpractice case goes to trial, expert witnesses must be able to translate complex medical subjects into plain English for a jury. This is not an easy task for most doctors.

As an experienced medical malpractice lawyer, attorney Erik Olson has access to a network of skilled medical experts who are able to effectively explain complicated medical issues to judges and juries. Our medical experts are all board-certified specialists in their respective fields, allowing them to testify with authority.

If you or someone you love has been injured during pregnancy or childbirth, we have the resources and the experience needed to effectively handle your legal claims. Contact our offices today through e-mail or call us at 404-897-1014 to schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced lawyer.