Denver Jaundice Lawyers
Hold Healthcare Professionals Responsible for Your Child’s Jaundice
Sometimes, what appears to be a normal delivery can transform into a health scare when a newborn develops yellow-tinged skin in the hours or days after being born. This medical condition is called jaundice, and it can be an independent health issue or an indication of another underlying condition. In either case, jaundice can be caused by injury during labor and delivery, and untreated jaundice can cause lifelong damage to a baby.
If your child suffered harm due to jaundice in Colorado, call the top birth injury lawyers at Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. toll-free at (877) 433-3906. Your initial consultation is free, and we can review your medical records for any errors. If we find them, your family is owed compensation, and we will go to work to get it at no upfront fee.
What Is Jaundice?
Jaundice is a medical condition that involves the yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, arising from an excess of the compound bilirubin. It is typically caused by an obstruction of the bile duct, by liver disease, or by an excessive breakdown of red blood cells.
Infant jaundice is a common condition, particularly in premature babies. Jaundice usually occurs because a baby’s liver isn’t mature enough to get rid of bilirubin in the bloodstream. An underlying disease or bleeding due to a birth injury, however, can also cause jaundice. While most infants resolve their jaundice independently without treatment, this buildup can become a serious condition that places a newborn at risk for bilirubinemia (too much bilirubin), which can end in brain damage.
When Is Jaundice Medical Malpractice?
There are a number of ways that a negligent doctor or nurse could contribute to a newborn’s jaundice. For example, cephalohematoma is an injury that occurs during labor and delivery. It can be caused by improper use of birth-assisting devices, such as forceps or a vacuum. The injury causes bleeding underneath the baby’s cranial bones, and if the area of bleeding is large, it can cause a baby to develop jaundice as the body works to break down the red blood cells.
Even if a baby is jaundiced through natural causes, such as a premature birth, a doctor’s failure to diagnose, monitor, and treat the condition can cause additional harm. Medical staff should examine babies for jaundice during routine medical checks and at least every eight to 12 hours while in the hospital. Left untreated, jaundice can lead to kernicterus syndrome, which can cause permanent damage to the brain, as well as hearing loss and uncontrolled movements.
Work With an Experienced Denver Birth Injury Attorney
Parents of a newborn with jaundice are often told that the condition is typical and will clear up without medical intervention. While this is generally true, it can make it even more jarring when your newborn’s jaundice causes a serious injury.
No one deserves to have their baby suffer due to a doctor’s negligence, either during labor and delivery or afterward. If you believe your medical provider’s error caused your child’s injury, you should reach out to a knowledgeable birth injury attorney as soon as possible.
Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. employs several attorneys who are members of the Birth Trauma Litigation Group of the American Association for Justice. We know how to fight for compensation to help your child properly recover. If you’d like to speak with Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. in a no-cost initial consultation, give our Denver office a call at (303) 759-9945.
Additional Information
- Is Kernicterus a Sign of Birth Injuries?
- Newborn Jaundice: MedlinePlus
- Understanding Newborn Jaundice
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877-433-3906