Bilirubin Birth Injury Attorneys

Excessive Bilirubin in Atlanta Newborns

Over half of babies born in Atlanta experience some degree of jaundice caused by excessive levels of bilirubin in the blood stream. In severe cases, medical treatment is necessary to prevent permanent brain damage or even death. If your child has suffered a birth injury a as a result of a doctor’s failure to diagnose or treat high levels of bilirubin, call or visit us at The Tolson Firm, LLC as soon as possible to discuss your options for taking legal action. Ms. Tolson was personally recruited by Johnnie Cochran as the first attorney to work in the local office of his practice many years ago. Since opening her own firm, she has earned such honors as being named among the Top 100 Female Lawyers in Georgia and the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Georgia for four consecutive years. With more than 30 years of combined legal experience and dozens of multi-million dollar settlements litigated for our clients, we know how to achieve results.

Babies are born with a surplus of red blood cells, and their bodies immediately set about the task of breaking down these cells to achieve the normal levels. Bilirubin is a product of this process, and it is normally excreted from the body in the stool. When the newborn’s liver is not strong enough to handle all of the bilirubin, it can enter the blood stream and cause jaundice, also known as hyperbilirubinemia, which manifests as a yellow coloration of the skin or eyes. For mild cases, the parents are advised to expose the child to sunlight, and the condition usually clears up relatively quickly.

Brain Damage Caused by Bilirubin

When bilirubin levels are high, the substance can enter the brain and cause kernicterus, a brain injury which can lead to hearing loss, mental retardation or even death. Treatments for excessive levels of bilirubin include phototherapy and blood transfusions, but they must be provided quickly to prevent injury to the child. An Atlanta medical malpractice lawyer from our firm may be able to help you recover compensation for your child’s suffering by filing a medical malpractice lawsuit against a doctor who failed to diagnose or treat the condition. Call us or visit our office for a consultation, to determine whether you have grounds for a lawsuit and to learn what your claim may be worth.