(845) 303-1000Jaundice is a prevalent illness in newborns. It occurs when the baby’s liver is not able to remove bilirubin from the body. It is easily diagnosed because of the primary symptom: yellowing of the skin or eyes. It is also 100% treatable.
This makes it especially devastating to families who discover that the medical team looking after the newborn fails to perform proper testing and treatment because it can cause lifelong complications. A Schenectady newborn jaundice lawyer understands the frustration a parent feels after this type of medical malpractice takes place and wants to help.
Contact our dedicated birth injury attorneys today for a free consultation.
Newborn Jaundice: Identifying, Treating, and Side Effects
Yellowing skin or the whites of an infant’s eyes are the most common indicators of jaundice, though other symptoms may be less noticeable. Some of the more silent indicators include:
- Strange eye movements
- Extreme arching of the body
- An infant who does not sleep or is hard to wake
- Extreme fussiness, refusal to eat, or failure to use diapers often
- Noticeably odd muscle movements (very stiff, limp, or floppy)
Each of these symptoms may indicate excess bilirubin or hyperbilirubinemia in the baby’s body. Blood testing can also be performed to reveal whether the baby has bilirubinemia. Bilirubinemia can be treated by simply placing the infant under special lamps called Bili lights. They break down bilirubin, the yellow pigment in the baby’s blood, and turn it into something that their bodies can eliminate through urine or stool. If Bili lights are not effective, fiberoptic blankets, blood transfusions, or more frequent feedings may also help treat newborn jaundice.
If left untreated, jaundice and the buildup of bilirubin can cause kernicterus, which is highly harmful to a baby as it can cause further complications. These complications may include:
- Coma
- Death
- Brain damage
- Dental problems
- Learning disabilities
- Hearing or vision loss
- Athetoid cerebral palsy
With how easily jaundice can be treated, there is no excuse for allowing it to become kernicterus. A medical team that allows it because they want to see if it improves without assistance or fails to recognize the symptoms, can be held liable.
Pursuing a Lawsuit Against a Negligent Medical Provider for Newborn Jaundice
Claims can be filed against the medical provider or the laboratory if they fail to diagnose and treat this very preventable medical condition. However, establishing fault can be challenging because it often requires establishing a medical team:
- Failed to monitor the infant’s bilirubin levels accurately
- Was unable to detect clear signs of jaundice onset
- Caused jaundice through a birth injury or forceps-induced bruises
- Did not provide treatment for jaundice, allowing it to progress
These things can only be established with a thorough investigation of medical records and facts surrounding the claim. For this, it is often necessary to have someone on your side who understands what to look for and how laws apply to it. A Schenectady newborn jaundice attorney could help you evaluate your case and determine whether medical negligence played a role in your child’s condition.
The Statute of Limitations for Medical Malpractice Claims
Medical malpractice claims in New York are restricted to two and a half years from the date of malpractice in most cases, according to § 214-a. However, if it is a birth injury, as with jaundice, statute CPLR §208 pauses the two-year and six-month rule during the child’s infancy. The discovery rule allows for longer as well, though in no case should it ever exceed ten years from the date of injury.
There are various ways to seek compensation in New York for a minor child who a treating physician has injured, but often, the statutes run out before a child reaches the age of majority. Therefore, it is usually left to the parents to seek compensation on behalf of the child before the statute expires.
Each situation is unique, and parents in Schenectady are encouraged to seek advice from a newborn jaundice lawyer as soon as possible after the malpractice occurs. This will provide time for the legal team to gather facts and pursue the claim.
Contact a Schenectady Newborn Jaundice Lawyer You Can Trust
The New York Injury Malpractice Law Firm, P.C., is determined to give patients and their loved ones a voice after a medical malpractice has occurred. When you turn to us, you will discover a lawyer who is there for you and willing to do what it takes to protect your patient’s rights.
Contact John H. Fisher, P.C., today to tell us you need a Schenectady newborn jaundice lawyer and schedule a free consultation.