Bronx Failure to Monitor and Treat Newborns Injury

Newborn babies must be closely monitored to ensure that a medical condition is quickly diagnosed and treated. Some babies are born with medical problems. In such cases it is incumbent upon the medical staff to diagnose the problems and properly treat them. In other instances a baby may develop a problem, such as an infection soon after birth. When medical problems go untreated, they can get worse and lead to serious and sometimes permanent problems. For example, jaundice is a common medical condition in newborns. With immediate treatment, jaundice can be cured. Without treatment it can lead to irreparable brain damage. If your baby suffered a serious injury because a healthcare professional failed to properly monitor or treat your newborn, it is important that you immediately contact an experienced Bronx birth injury lawyer who will help you pursue compensation for your injuries and your child’s injuries through a medical malpractice lawsuit.

The importance of monitoring newborns

Monitoring of newborns is critical as they are at risk for a number ailments and conditions:

Brain injuries: A baby may have suffered a brain injury during labor or delivery, particularly if delivery tools such as forceps or a vacuum extractor was used. Negligent use of such tool can result in a serious injury to the baby, including a brain injury.
Infections: Because of their immature immune systems, newborn babies are subject to infections such as sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis. Signs of an infection include poor feeding, respiratory problems, listlessness, constant crying, skin rash, skin discoloration, or rise or fall in temperature.
Jaundice: Jaundice is common in newborns and it is caused by high levels of bilirubin. If jaundice is not diagnosed and treated, the bilirubin can lead to brain damage.

Types of monitoring

There are several different types of newborn monitoring. For example, blood tests can be taken to test for jaundice. A blood test for jaundice should especially be given to at-risk babies, such as pre-term babies. Another type of newborn monitoring is heart rate monitoring. Monitoring the baby’s heart rate can alert the medical staff to cardiac issues. Other tests check the baby’s oxygen saturation and other indicators for potential problems.

Pursuing compensation for injury to newborn

If a pediatrician, neonatologist, nurse or other medical professional fails to properly monitor and treat your newborn, and as a result you baby is injured, you have the right to file a medical malpractice lawsuit against the negligent medical professional and demand compensation.

Medical expenses. If your baby suffered an injury because the medical staff failed to properly monitor him or her, then you have the right to demand that the medical professional or hospital compensate you for your baby’s medical bills.

Pain and suffering. As a result of poor care, your baby may suffer both physical pain and emotional suffering. You have the right to demand compensation for your baby’s suffering.

Wrongful death. If as a result of the medical error your newborn baby did not survive, you may hold the negligent medical staff accountable through a wrongful death lawsuit.

Contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates

If you suspect that your baby was injured because your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional failed to properly monitor and treat your newborn baby, do not hesitate to immediately contact someone with experience. The staff at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates is experienced in successfully representing clients and families of clients who have suffered injuries due to mistakes made by medical professionals, as well as those injured in car accidents, truck accidents, construction accidents, and other types of accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.