Caput succedaneum is a common condition that affects the head of a newborn. It involves swelling or edema of the scalp, and redness of the skin. It is typically a condition associated with complicated births where pressure is put on the head of the baby by the vaginal walls. While in some cases a cases a caput succedaneum injury harmless, in other cases it can lead to jaundice, which if not treated can lead to serious health problems. If you are in need of an injury lawyer because your baby suffers from caput succedaneum due to the negligent actions of your doctor during labor and delivery, contact an experienced New York caput succedaneum lawyer as you may be entitled to compensations for injuries suffered.
Causes and potential complicationsCaput succedaneum commonly occurs during a prolonged delivery. Pressure on the baby’s head from the vaginal walls or dilated cervix causes swelling. The condition is more likely to occur during prolonged labor that involves a lot of pushing. With an extended vaginal delivery that is progressing slowly, the doctor may decide to use a vacuum extractor or forceps. The use of these tools increases the risk of a caput succedaneum injury. Caput succedaneum is also more likely to occur when the amniotic sac ruptures early in labor as there is less of a fluid cushion around the baby’s head to protect it.
As knowledgeable New York caput succedaneum lawyers, we know that generally speaking there is little risk of serious complications related to caput succedaneum. However, a caput injury does increase the risk of jaundice. While jaundice generally resolves itself in a few weeks without treatment, the baby should still be closely monitored. There are cases in which the jaundice must be treated by phototherapy, intravenous immunoglobulin, or exchange transfusion. Without treatment jaundice can lead to brain damage. Symptoms of jaundice include yellowing of the skin, yellowing of the whites of the baby’s eyes, high-pitched crying, and the baby is feeding poorly.
Pursuing compensationAs a caput succedaneum attorney in New York will explain, if your baby suffered birth trauma because of the medical negligence, you have the right to file a claim against the doctor and other members of the medical staff whose negligent actions led to the baby’s injuries. For example, when labor because complicated and a vaginal delivery is taking too long, it may be appropriate for the doctor to immediately deliver the baby via c-section in order to avoid a birth injury. Similarly, if a baby develops jaundice, it is up to the doctor to make sure that the baby is monitored, and that its bilirubin levels are checked to make sure that the baby has not developed severe jaundice.
If the baby suffers a serious injury as a result of medical negligence, the parents have the right to demand that the doctor, hospital, or other medical staff involved pay compensation that would cover the baby’s medical expenses. This is important because if the baby is suffers a permanent injury, the medical expenses may be substantial and care may be required throughout the child’s life. In addition, you can demand payment to compensate for the child’s loss of future earning potential, loss of enjoyment of life, and pain and suffering.
Contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & AssociatesBirth injuries can leave a family emotionally and financially devastated. Learning that the condition was preventable and caused by the errors of healthcare workers only adds to the emotional pain. If you are concerned that your child's caput succedaneum was caused by your doctor’s negligence, do not hesitate to immediately contact an experienced caput succedaneum attorney serving New York at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates. We have over two decades of experience wining significant settlements for client who have suffered serious injuries. 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.