The average pregnancy duration is 40 weeks, and when birth occurs before the completion of the 37th week of gestation, the medical field considers it premature. Premature birth escalates the likelihood of health issues, birth defects, and various ailments for newborns, and the earlier in pregnancy they are born, the higher the risks of complications become.
When early signs and symptoms of pregnancy begin, healthcare professionals’ actions often substantially impact the baby’s health and chances of survival. With the help of a practiced birth injury attorney, you could be eligible to collect compensation if your baby sustained harm because of a doctor, nurse, or other certified healthcare provider’s actions. A Kingston premature delivery injury lawyer could review the case and advocate for your rights and a fair settlement if the necessary elements are present.
Risk Factors of Premature Birth
Premature birth, or preterm birth, can have severe implications for the baby’s health, and there are risk factors to watch for to try to prevent it from happening. Some of the potential risks to watch for include:
- Abnormal cervix
- Vaginal bleeding
- Urinary tract infections
- Vitro fertilization pregnancies
- High blood pressure or preeclampsia
- Developmental anomalies in the fetus
- Insufficient monitoring of the infant during pregnancy
- Infections such as bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have conducted many studies on premature delivery over the years, showing that infants continue to develop and grow through the end of the pregnancy. During the final weeks and months of gestation, the brain, liver, and lungs undergo essential growth to develop completely.
Potential Complications
Preterm birth is often serious and may lead to complications, such as cerebral palsy, respiratory distress, learning disabilities, or impaired development. A Kingston attorney who is well versed in the nuances of the laws surrounding premature delivery injuries could conduct a rigorous investigation to determine whether there is cause for a medical malpractice case.
Establishing Medical Malpractice
Establishing medical malpractice to collect damages from the liable party requires proving the physician failed to provide the patient with a certain level of duty of care. That means establishing that the defendant deviated from the standard that any other doctor in the same position would have provided.
The claim must also show causation, or a link, between the medical care and the infant’s injuries. Finally, there must be verifiable damages, including bodily harm, such as medical bills, records, and expert witness statements.
Time Limit and Discovery
The injured party has two years and six months from the date the baby sustained injuries because of a healthcare professional’s actions to bring a claim. When the condition is discovered at birth, the time begins running that day. However, when the parents become aware of the damage later, there is an exception to the discovery rule, and the clock starts on that date. A premature delivery injury lawyer in Kingston could answer questions about the regulations and court process during the consultation.
Schedule a Meeting With a Knowledgeable Premature Delivery Injury Attorney in Kingston Today
Mothers may experience early onset labor for many reasons, and expecting parents often experience much anxiety and fear about the possible consequences and future. While sometimes medical providers must deliver the baby immediately for the safety of the mother and infant, in other cases, there may be other options.
Physicians and medical staff receive extensive training in both circumstances and must follow the appropriate protocols to reach the best potential outcome. When they fail to recognize and address the problem because they deviated from the acceptable standard of medical treatment, there may be cause for a medical malpractice suit. Call a Kingston premature delivery injury lawyer today for more information. Our outstanding legal team could help to protect your rights.