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“Discovering that your child’s kernicterus was preventable can be devastating. Kernicterus, a rare but severe form of neonatal jaundice, can cause permanent neurological damage when not treated promptly and effectively. Symptoms such as excessive sleepiness, poor feeding, or a high-pitched cry are often critical indicators that require immediate medical attention. When these symptoms are overlooked, the consequences can be life-altering.
At Weiss & Paarz, we are committed to addressing these medical oversights through legal expertise. Our team of experienced kernicterus lawyers understands the profound impact of medical negligence on your child’s life. We will handle all of the complexities of a kernicterus lawsuit, and fight to get you the support and compensation necessary for your child’s long-term care.”
Kernicterus is a type of brain damage caused by very high levels of bilirubin in newborn infants. In states like New Jersey and Pennsylvania, kernicterus is often considered a preventable birth injury. For a deeper look at the causes, symptoms, and treatment of this condition, see our full guide on what kernicterus is.
As part of the body’s natural function, individual red blood cells die on a regular basis. Bilirubin is created from the breakdown of these red blood cells. Normally, the liver breaks down bilirubin so that it can be eliminated from the body. However, in the newborn period, more red blood cells break down, and sometimes more bilirubin is created than the baby’s immature liver can handle. Bilirubin, which is yellowish in color, can then build up in the body, causing a condition known as jaundice. Jaundice is yellowish staining of the skin and eyes due to high bilirubin levels. Most jaundice occurring in newborns is harmless and typically clears up without treatment within a short period of time. However, some forms of jaundice pose a severe threat to the baby, because very high bilirubin levels can result in bilirubin crossing into the brain, causing devastating damage to occur. When this happens, the condition is referred to as kernicterus.
Kernicterus is associated with a range of symptoms and severe long-term effects. Early detection and treatment are crucial in preventing these outcomes. Here are the primary symptoms and long-term consequences of kernicterus:
Symptoms of Kernicterus:
By the end of a trial, regardless of the outcome, it feels good to know I’ve been in there fighting for someone who needed a strong advocate, typically someone who has suffered the death of a loved one, or a serious, permanent disability.
Long-Term Effects of Untreated Kernicterus:
Bilirubin levels in the blood should be carefully monitored in the newborn to prevent Kernicterus. There are several methods which can be used by pediatricians to prevent bilirubin levels from becoming dangerously high, including but not limited to phototherapy, a fiber optic blanket, and blood exchange transfusion.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has provided guidelines which if correctly followed by medical personnel should prevent the occurrence of kernicterus. The National Quality Forum is a non profit organization that is a private/public collaboration formed for the purpose of improving the quality of health care in the United States. It includes kernicterus among a group of occurrences that are referred to as “never events”. Never events are medical outcomes that are serious and largely preventable – in other words, they should never happen.
Any failure to carefully follow recommended guidelines in New Jersey and Pennsylvania for treating jaundice by the nurses and doctors caring for a newborn could potentially result in kernicterus. However, here are some specific mistakes pediatricians sometimes make when confronted with newborn jaundice that can lead to kernicterus:
I had a change of heart in midcareer. I love to try cases and it was very satisfying to exonerate a physician I felt did nothing wrong. But a defense attorney typically must defend whatever cases a malpractice insurance company assigns, and I grew tired of having to defend medical care I personally didn’t believe in.
If you suspect that your child may have suffered kernicterus or brain damage from excessive levels of bilirubin, get medical attention for your child right away. Proper and timely treatment will maximize the chances that your child will survive with as little damage as possible under the circumstances. Unfortunately, many children will nevertheless require a lifetime of expensive medical care. Many will need to be followed by several different types of pediatric specialists and participate in ongoing physical and occupational therapy. In some cases, care at home is beyond the best capabilities of even the most committed and capable parents and placement in a specialized institution becomes the only viable option.
It is in your child’s interest to be in a position to benefit from the very best and most advanced treatment available. There may be a significant difference in the treatment and services that private medical insurance or such programs as Medicaid will cover, and the most desirable state of the art treatment. If your child has suffered kernicterus, getting the compensation that you deserve may be the only way to provide the care and services needed to maximize your child’s recovery and potential.
Collectively, New Jersey and Philadelphia-based lawyers, Weiss & Paarz, have litigated over a dozen medical malpractice cases involving damages to a newborn as a result of kernicterus. Our kernicterus attorneys are committed to using their knowledge and experience to help the victims of preventable birth injuries obtain fair compensation.
If you believe your child may have experienced such an injury in either New Jersey or Pennsylvania, contact our specialized medical malpractice attorneys at Weiss & Paarz, P.C. today.
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Kernicterus is a serious neurological condition in newborns, primarily caused by high levels of bilirubin that are not properly treated. It develops when severe jaundice goes untreated, allowing bilirubin to rise to toxic levels and potentially cause permanent damage to brain cells.
Newborns often have jaundice because their liver is not mature enough to efficiently process bilirubin, a byproduct of the normal breakdown of red blood cells. In most cases, this condition resolves without treatment, but it can sometimes lead to severe complications like kernicterus if not monitored and managed properly.
When bilirubin levels become too high, it can lead to conditions like kernicterus. Initially, symptoms might include extreme jaundice, lethargy, and a high-pitched cry. If not treated, it can progress to more severe problems, including stiffness, seizures, and developmental delays.
Kernicterus is a preventable but not curable condition. Management focuses on preventing further brain damage and addressing symptoms through therapies such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Early detection and treatment of jaundice can prevent the onset of kernicterus.
Immediate treatment for kernicterus involves reducing bilirubin levels through interventions like phototherapy or exchange transfusions. Long-term management focuses on supportive care such as physical therapy, hearing aids, and educational support to address complications from the condition.
Legal assistance is crucial because kernicterus often results from medical oversight, such as failing to diagnose or adequately treat jaundice. A kernicterus lawyer with expertise in medical malpractice can help establish negligence and pursue necessary compensation for lifelong care and other damages.
A kernicterus lawsuit involves collecting medical evidence, consulting with experts, and demonstrating negligence. The process might include negotiations for settlements or, if necessary, a trial to argue the case and determine compensation.
Compensation might include medical costs, long-term care expenses, pain and suffering, and potential loss of earnings. The exact compensation depends on the specifics of the case, including the extent of the damage and the impacts on the child’s and family’s life.
Answers may only be a phone call away. Call 1-800-952-8444 or fill out our web submission form and our team will contact you to evaluate whether we can help with your potential claim on your behalf.
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