Why Kernicterus is Almost Always Caused by Medical Malpractice

There are certain complications that can happen during labor and delivery or shortly after delivery that may be considered unavoidable. Other times, there are instances in which catastrophic complications occur that could have been entirely avoided if proper care had been given. Some of these complications can lead innocent babies with catastrophic injuries or even death. One type of birth injury that can occur after delivery is kernicterus. 

 

Kernicterus is generally always an avoidable complication. When these avoidable complications occurring, harming the lives of infants and their families, victims and their families should receive the compensation they deserve for the injuries sustained. 

 

What is Kernicterus?

 

Kernicterus is a complication of jaundice, which occurs when there is a buildup of bilirubin in the body. Jaundice is a common complication occurring after birth that is generally always fairly easy to treat. Babies with jaundice are often treated with phototherapy which is generally considered to be effective. When a medical provider fails to diagnose jaundice, fails to treat jaundice appropriately and in a timely manner, or misdiagnoses jaundice as something else, it can progress to kernicterus. Kernicterus refers to the brain damage that is due to excess bilirubin in the body, leading to a seepage of bilirubin into the tissues of the brain. 

 

Why is Kernicterus an Avoidable Birth Injury?

 

Kernicterus is considered to be an avoidable birth injury due to the fact that jaundice is considered to be quite treatable if identified and treated early. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that jaundice should never progress to kernicterus. Jaundice is generally easily identified with the use of physical assessment and blood work. Babies have their bilirubin checked after birth to ensure that they are not developing jaundice so if a provider fails to identify jaundice on assessment and it progresses to kernicterus, it is considered to be medical malpractice. 

 

Signs and Symptoms of Kernicterus

 

Jaundice is the first sign of kernicterus, but as mentioned above, once brain damage has occurred due to the bilirubin seeping into the brain tissue, neurological signs and symptoms develop. Common signs and symptoms of kernicterus include the following: 

 

• Poor feeding
• High pitched cry
• Excessive irritability
• Lethargy
• Tonic movements that are abnormal
• Muscle tone abnormalities (i.e. floppy muscles)
• Abnormal sucking
• Fevers
• Apnea
• Seizures

 

Why You Should Contact an Experienced Kernicterus Lawyer

 

If your child was diagnosed with kernicterus, they will more than likely require some degree of specialized care due to the permanent brain damage that occurred. Children with kernicterus may have varying degrees of needs, ranging from requiring total care to requiring additional services such as speech, physical therapy, or occupational therapy. Regardless of the degree of needs your child may have, these needs and services are costly. 

 

You and your family should never have to pay for specialized services due to the mistake of an individual that will affect you and your loved ones for the rest of your lives. This is why you should contact our experienced kernicterus lawyers who can review your case today to determine what compensation you and your loved ones are eligible for to help cover the costs of additional needs as a result of your child’s kernicterus diagnosis. 

 

Call Our Kernicterus Birth Injury Lawyer to Learn How We Can Help You

 

If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of medical malpractice contact the Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form.  We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.

 

Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Sisters, Madras, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, La Grande, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton,  Cottage Grove, Florence, Oregon City, Springfield, Keizer, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Tualatin, West Linn, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Newberg, Roseburg, Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Happy Valley, Tigard, Ashland, Milwakie, Coos Bay, The Dalles,  St. Helens, Sherwood, Central Point, Canby, Troutdale, Hermiston, Silverton, Hood River, Newport, Prineville, Astoria, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.

 

We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take medical malpractice cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.