Before, during, and after a child is born, it is vital for healthcare providers assisting with that birth to closely monitor the well-being of the mother and the child. Failure to meet this basic standard of care can lead to life-altering and even life-threatening illnesses, with jaundice being a prime example of just such a condition.
If your baby has suffered serious physical harm because of undiagnosed or improperly treated jaundice, the birth injury attorneys at Berkowitz and Hanna LLC can help you understand and enforce your right to civil restitution. No matter who you need to take legal action against or what specific damages you need to recover on your child’s behalf, your Hartford infant jaundice malpractice lawyer will work tirelessly to protect your family’s best interests.
When red blood cells naturally break down, they produce a waste product called bilirubin, which the liver typically filters out of the bloodstream. However, newborn babies do not always have livers that function perfectly in this regard, which can lead to a buildup of bilirubin in their blood that manifests as a yellowish tint in the baby’s eyes and skin and is referred to medically as “jaundice.”
It is worth noting that jaundice is not uncommon in newborn babies, nor is it always a life-threatening or even dangerous condition. Many cases of jaundice clear up on their own as the baby’s body gets used to functioning on its own and the liver develops as normal.
That said, untreated cases of severe jaundice can cause long-term hearing loss, problems with brain development that may manifest as conditions like cerebral palsy, and potentially fatal complications in extreme situations. This is why it is so important for Hartford doctors to know the warning signs of jaundice in newborns and quickly take action to address more serious cases.
Unlike primary care physicians, who often treat patients one-on-one, obstetricians generally work with large teams to monitor and preserve the health of an expecting mother and her child. Because of that, it is not uncommon for civil liability in a jaundice injury case to fall on multiple medical professionals at once, especially if the injury stemmed from a miscommunication between members of a treatment team.
Additionally, it is possible in many circumstances to hold hospitals and similar healthcare facilities “vicariously liable” for negligence by their employee(s), which can allow for greater financial recovery than a claim against an individual doctor likely could. A jaundice injury lawyer in Hartford can discuss potential recovery options for a particular plaintiff in greater detail during an initial consultation.
Learning your child has developed jaundice can certainly be a frightening experience for a new parent, but most of the time, jaundice does not cause any long-term harm so long as it is identified and treated promptly. Unfortunately, not diagnosing or treating jaundice properly can sometimes have catastrophic consequences, as far too many families learn every single year.
You have help available from a compassionate Hartford infant jaundice malpractice lawyer. We have experience pursuing compensation in cases like yours, and we are prepared to fight for the payments your family deserves. Call our office today to get started. Your initial consultation is completely free.
Berkowitz Hanna
