(845) 802-0047Premature babies are those who are born before reaching the full term of pregnancy – which is 37 weeks in their mother’s womb. They are especially vulnerable to health risks, birth injuries, and lifelong issues, and the more premature the baby is, the more likely they are to suffer health complications. It can also lead to long-term mental and developmental disabilities for the child.
Doctors have a duty to be aware of the symptoms and take action to prevent premature birth or prepare the child if their birth is unavoidable, such as giving the mother medications to help mature the baby’s lungs. When you believe a doctor’s negligence led to your baby’s premature birth, you may be able to hold them accountable through a malpractice lawsuit. Lawsuits can be complicated and take months or years to finish, which is where a seasoned birth injury attorney can help. You need a Poughkeepsie premature delivery injury lawyer on your side to navigate the convoluted legal system so you can focus on your child.
Indicators of Premature Birth
Premature births are usually unexpected, but certain conditions such as previous premature births, sexually transmitted diseases, gestational diabetes, or cervix abnormalities indicate a premature birth is likely, and doctors must be aware of these when reviewing a patient’s file.
The more premature a baby is, the more likely they are to have health problems such as cerebral palsy, vision problems, or hearing loss. For example, some have Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS), in which babies have breathing problems because they lack the protein that prevents the small sacs in the lungs from collapsing. Another example is Patent Ductus Arteriosis (PDA), when an opening between two blood vessels coming from the heart results in the baby having breathing problems or dying.
A Poughkeepsie attorney with experience in premature delivery injury cases could help file a claim when a doctor’s negligence or lack of attention to detail harmed a baby.
Legal Options
Malpractice occurs when a doctor fails to provide care at the appropriate standard of competence. When an injured person chooses to sue a doctor, they must do so within the time permitted by the local statute of limitations, which in New York is two and a half years from when an injury happens. If someone tries to file a lawsuit more than two and a half years after the date of their injury, they may lose their chance at getting compensation.
When plaintiffs decide to go to court, they can seek economic or non-economic damages to cover costs like past and future medical bills, therapy, and emotional trauma. Damages in medical malpractice cases can account for past, present, and future costs, as well as the baby’s pain and suffering. To win these damages, a plaintiff must have strong evidence, and a Poughkeepsie lawyer could collect and present evidence in a premature delivery injury case, and fight for the maximum compensation possible.
Work With a Poughkeepsie Attorney After a Premature Delivery Injury
Premature births are much more manageable today than in the past, but they are still worrisome when they happen. If a doctor fails to uphold their duty to prevent a premature birth, they can be held accountable. You may have strong grounds to have a lawsuit. Contact a Poughkeepsie premature delivery injury lawyer today and schedule a consultation.