Failure to Treat Jaundice
What Is It?
Jaundice occurs when a newborn has too much bilirubin in his or her blood, causing the skin and whites of the eyes to appear yellow in color. When a doctor has seen the warning signs, but does not treat, the doctor may be liable.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Failure to Treat Jaundice?
Jaundice is a fairly common condition among newborns. While in the womb, the mother’s placenta is responsible for removing bilirubin from the baby’s body. After birth, the baby’s liver has to take over, but it can take some time. In most cases, neonatal jaundice resolves on its own by the time the child reaches two weeks of age. However, when the jaundice is severe and doesn’t resolve on its own, medical intervention is often required.
If doctors fail to treat jaundice properly, the symptoms will continue and worsen. The baby’s skin and eyes will remain yellow, and the child may become lethargic and unwilling to eat. In some cases, the child may also vomit or run a fever. Babies whose bilirubin levels remain too high for too long can sustainbrain damage, which may cause cerebral palsy, deafness and other complications.
Is it Smart to Get a Lawyer?
It’s always smart to get a lawyer. Good medical malpractice lawyers almost always do not charge for a consultation, so it cannot hurt to speak with one.
In most cases, jaundice will be diagnosed long before it causes serious effects, and doctors have plenty of treatment options to bring bilirubin levels down before any damage is done. If your baby developed jaundice and wasn’t treated appropriately, you may be entitled to compensation, especially if the child developed complications as a result of the condition.
An experienced birth injury lawyer can review your child’s medical records and conduct research to determine whether medical personnel were negligent in the case. If your lawyer finds that the doctor or hospital failed to properly treat your child for jaundice, he or she will file a lawsuit against the person or institution responsible.
Find a the Best Lawyer for You
We were the first website of our kind to provide real statistics on lawyers. Our data comes from the court system, and is an excellent gauge of the quality of a lawyer and of a lawyer’s level of experience. If you are ready to find a qualified lawyer to help you investigate your child’s case, you can begin your search here on our website. In addition, you may feel free to contact us at any time.
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