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Failure to Diagnose Jaundice
Ohio and Northern Kentucky Medical Malpractice Attorneys for Failure to Diagnose Jaundice Claims
Newborn jaundice occurs in approximately 6 out of every 10 babies born in the U.S. and usually resolves itself in a few weeks. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and when left undiagnosed and untreated, it can lead to serious health complications.
If your child has suffered from untreated jaundice complications, you may be able to recover financial compensation from the healthcare professionals responsible for your child’s injuries. The Ohio and Kentucky birth injury lawyers at TLF: The Medical Injury Law Firm can help you navigate the legal process and help ensure you receive justice on behalf of your child.
With a large team of professionals and over 50 years of experience serving the residents of both Ohio and Northern Kentucky, you can rest assured that your case is in capable hands. Call us toll-free at (800) 698-4054 today and schedule a free initial case evaluation so we can take a look at your case.
What is Jaundice?
Infant jaundice is a fairly common health condition that occurs when a chemical called bilirubin builds up in the newborn’s blood. The liver is in charge of filtering out bilirubin, but if the baby’s liver isn’t fully developed, it may not be able to properly filter out bilirubin. This excess of bilirubin causes their red blood cells to appear more yellow, which can then give the skin and eyes a yellowish tint.
The Significance of Early Jaundice Diagnosis
Since infant jaundice most often occurs when the infant’s liver is not mature enough to process bilirubin, it tends to resolve itself as the baby’s liver develops. However, if untreated, jaundice could cause additional health complications, some of which could be life-altering. It’s important that doctors properly diagnose jaundice and treat it in the early stages before the child suffers from any of the lasting effects of severe jaundice.
Dangers of Untreated Jaundice
Untreated jaundice can lead to a more severe health condition called kernicterus. Kernicterus can cause infants to exhibit the same symptoms as jaundice, as well as other symptoms like irritability, poor feeding behaviors, and even infant seizures. Long-term kernicterus can lead to complications such as:
- Hearing loss;
- Impaired cognitive development;
- Permanent brain damage; and
- Athetoid cerebral palsy.
Can I File a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit for a Failure to Diagnose?
Yes, if your medical provider failed to diagnose your child’s health condition and they suffered injuries as a result of the untreated condition, you may be able to file a lawsuit. When medical professionals cause a birth injury like cerebral palsy or brain damage, they should be held responsible for their actions or inactions, like when they fail to diagnose or treat a condition.
Filing a Birth Injury Lawsuit for Failure to Diagnose Jaundice
If your doctor failed to diagnose and treat jaundice in your child, you may be able to file a medical malpractice case against them. The skilled medical malpractice lawyers at TLF: The Medical Injury Law Firm will be able to evaluate the situation and determine whether or not medical malpractice occurred. Call us toll-free at (800) 698-4054 to discuss your case with one of our experienced legal professionals so that we can evaluate your case and help you determine what your next steps should be.
Proving Medical Negligence in Failure to Diagnose Cases
When a doctor fails to diagnose a condition in their patient, that patient can suffer serious consequences as a result of their doctor’s negligence. Medical malpractice cases help victims of negligence recover compensation for their losses, but in order to be granted compensation, there has to be proof that the doctor was, in fact, negligent. And in order for that to happen, attorneys must prove that the doctor or other medical professional:
- Had a duty of care to the child;
- Breached that duty of care by providing the child with substandard medical care; and
- Caused the child to suffer from injuries as a result of the substandard care.
In cases of newborn jaundice, lawyers must prove that the medical professional had an obligation to properly treat and diagnose the child. From there, they also have to prove that the medical professional failed to provide the child with the minimum expected care, which, in this case, would be to diagnose and treat infant jaundice. From there, they have to establish causation by connecting the child’s injuries to the untreated jaundice.
Navigating the Medical Malpractice Legal Process
The legal process of filing a medical malpractice claim can be extremely convoluted, especially if you don’t have a lawyer guiding you through it. Additionally, doctors and hospitals can have access to a large number of legal resources, which can be hard to fight without a skilled law firm on your side.
An experienced attorney will also be able to ensure your case is filed within the statute of limitations, which is the required window of time in which a personal injury claim has to be filed. In both Ohio and Kentucky, victims of medical malpractice must file suit within one year of the injury, error, or accident occurring. However, the statute of limitations is tolled or paused while a child is a minor (under 18). Nevertheless, if your child has suffered from severe jaundice complications, it is important that you contact an attorney as soon as possible to begin investigating your potential case.
Compensation for Victims of Birth Injuries Caused By Medical Negligence
Ongoing or severe jaundice can lead to complications like brain damage and cerebral palsy, which can impair a person for life. Medical malpractice lawsuits allow victims of negligence to recover compensation for:
- Past and future medical expenses;
- Assistive medical equipment;
- Projected lost wages;
- Emotional distress;
- Permanent disfigurement or disability;
- Physical therapy;
- Pain and suffering;
- Loss of enjoyment of life; and
- Funeral and burial expenses (if wrongful death occurred as a result).
Experienced Ohio and Northern Kentucky Medical Malpractice Attorneys
Doctors and other medical professionals owe their patients a standard of care, which includes diagnosing and treating conditions as they detect them. If a medical provider failed to diagnose and treat your child’s infant jaundice, they should be held responsible for their actions. Luckily, you don’t have to fight them alone–the legal team at TLF: The Medical Injury Law Firm is here to help.
At TLF, we have decades of experience litigating and trying medical malpractice cases, including birth injury claims, so you can trust that we will provide you with the legal counsel you need to receive compensation for your losses. To reach our Ohio law office, give us a call at (513) 651-4130. For our Kentucky law office, you can reach us at (859) 578-9130. You can also call us toll-free at (800) 698-4054 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a member of our team.
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You Pay No Fees Unless We Win!
We are happy to offer a free consultation to evaluate your case. If you hire us as your legal counsel, we will represent you on a contingency-fee basis. You will pay no attorneys’ fees unless we recover financial damages.