Minnesota NICU Lawyer
The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is a critical place for newborns who are born with a serious medical condition or injury. The NICU provides advanced treatment for babies who are born prematurely or who are gravely ill. The staff in NICUs have undergone extensive and specialized training, but that does not mean they do not make mistakes.
When NICU staff members make even the smallest error, it can have devastating consequences for a newborn baby. Newborns are extremely fragile and when the professionals treating them are negligent, they can be held liable for medical malpractice. These claims require an intricate knowledge of how NICUs work, and the specific medical conditions newborns suffer from. A Minnesota NICU lawyer will have this knowledge so you can claim the full and fair damages you deserve.
Medication Mistakes
Medication mistakes in the NICU can permanently damage a newborn’s liver, kidneys, intestines, stomach, and even their brain. This is due to the fact that a newborn’s system is not usually strong enough to deal with a medication error, particularly when they suffer an overdose. The body of a baby is very fragile and weak, and an overdose will be too powerful for the system to fight off.
Failure to Treat Jaundice
Many babies experience jaundice shortly after being born. The condition should resolve on its own, or with mild treatment, after a few days. If jaundice is left untreated and is not managed properly, it could lead to kernicterus. This is a very dangerous condition that causes cerebral palsy and it can seriously damage brain tissue. Kernicterus is usually considered medical malpractice due to the fact that negligent healthcare professionals should have treated the jaundice from the outset.
Resuscitation Errors
Newborn babies are extremely fragile. When they need to be resuscitated, it must be done very carefully. A newborn’s skin is paper thin and when a baby is born prematurely, it is even thinner in some cases. When a baby needs resuscitation and medical professionals are too aggressive with the child, it can permanently damage the skin. Organs can also become lacerated and bones can easily break.
One of the most devastating resuscitation errors made in the NICU is when doctors fail to resuscitate at all. Medical professionals in the NICU must be able to identify irregular heartbeats or breathing, as this will deprive the child of oxygen. When healthcare professionals fail to act accordingly, a child could suffer serious injuries and in the most severe cases, even wrongful death.
Our NICU Lawyers in Minnesota Can Provide the Sound Legal Advice You Need
NICU errors are all too common and they are usually caused by negligent healthcare professionals. If your child has been injured at a time when they should have been receiving the best possible care, our Minnesota NICU lawyers are here to help. At Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman, LLC, our experienced attorneys know how to prove medical negligence so you and your family can claim the fair settlement you are entitled to. Call us today or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation and to obtain the legal advice you need.
