Minnesota Jaundice Lawyer
Jaundice in newborns is a very common condition and in most cases, it is very easy to treat. Still, when the condition is not treated properly, it can result in very serious birth injuries. If medical personnel failed to identify when a newborn suffers from jaundice, or does not provide the adequate treatment and your child was injured as a result, you may have a valid medical malpractice claim. A Minnesota jaundice lawyer can advise you of your rights.
Long-Term Impacts of Jaundice
Jaundice develops in newborns as a result of the liver’s inability to break down and process excessive bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a byproduct created when red blood cells naturally break down. In the womb, the mother’s liver processes this bilirubin for the infant but newborns must be able to do it on their own after birth. When an infant’s liver is not yet fully developed or is not strong enough to do this, jaundice will occur. Babies most at risk for jaundice include those born prematurely, with an infection, or that suffered from bruising during the birthing process.
Jaundice is very easy to recognize, as doctors and parents will first notice a yellowish tint in the face and in the eyes. Usually, phototherapy is the recommended treatment and is enough to clear up the condition. When proper treatment is not ordered though, it will affect how the child’s brain functions. Some of the long-term impacts of jaundice include:
- Cognitive disabilities
- Cerebral palsy
- Deafness
- Seizures
- Lethargy
It is important to identify when a doctor’s negligence has caused the above injuries so you can hold them accountable for paying the damages you are entitled to.
What Causes Jaundice?
If your child suffered from brain damage or other injuries as a result of jaundice, it is important to determine if a doctor’s negligence was to blame. A doctor may be liable for your child’s condition if they:
- Failed to identify the symptoms of jaundice
- Failed to diagnose jaundice properly
- Failed to treat jaundice
- Failed to properly monitor the child to make sure levels of bilirubin decrease
- Commit other medical mistakes related to the treatment or diagnosis of jaundice
A birth injury lawyer can determine if any of the above examples of negligence played a part in your case. A lawyer will reach out to medical expert witnesses, which are always necessary in Minnesota medical malpractice cases, to prove your case. A lawyer will also obtain other evidence that documents the range of your expenses and other losses related to the jaundice your newborn suffered from.
Speak to Our Birth Injury Lawyer in Minnesota Today
At Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman, LLC, our Minnesota birth injury lawyers can advise on your case of jaundice and will inform you of your legal rights. We will review your case for free and if negligence occurred, help you throughout every step of the personal injury claim process. Call us today or fill out our online form to schedule a meeting with one of our skilled attorneys.
