As parents prepare for the birth of a baby, they assume that the doctor will provide excellent care. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Doctors and other medical professionals make mistakes that leave babies with devastating, life-altering injuries. One such condition is cephalohematoma. Cephalohematoma is a condition in which blood pools under the skin of the newborn’s scalp. If your baby suffered serious complications related to cephalohematoma and you believe that there were caused by your doctor’s negligence, it is important that you discuss your case with a skilled New York cephalohematoma lawyer as you may be able to file a claim for compensation that will help pay for the care that your baby needs.
Complications related to a cephalohematomaA cephalohematoma is a collection of blood under the baby’s scalp. They are commonly caused when during delivery the baby’s head hits the mother’s pelvic bone. They are also caused by extraction tools such as a vacuum extractor or forceps.
While cephalohematomas usually are not dangerous and resolve on their own within a few months, in some cases a cephalohematoma may be a sign that the baby has a very serious condition. Cephalohematomas, particularly when they are large, often means that birth trauma occurred. The baby may have suffered a birth injury such as Erb's palsy, cerebral palsy, periventricular leukomalacia; or persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. In addition, because cephalohematomas are relatively common in newborns, a much more dangerous subdural hematoma is sometimes misdiagnosed as a cephalohematoma. If a subdural hematoma goes untreated the baby, the baby may suffer serious brain damage from the pressure on the brain.
Pursuing compensationIf your baby was injured because of complications related to a cephalohematoma, or because another condition was misdiagnosed as a cephalohematoma, you have the right to file a medical malpractice lawsuit against the doctor who made the mistake. Our cephalohematoma attorneys in New York understand that the lifetime medical care required for a baby with a brain injury or other serious medical condition will be substantial. We will help you take legal action to recover compensation for all of the past and future medical expenses related to caring for your baby. We will also demand payment for the diminished quality of life for your child because of the serious injury, as well as your child’s diminished earning capacity. If caring for your child requires you to miss a substantial amount of work, you can demand payment for lost wages. The pain and suffering associated with such a catastrophic injury is also compensable.
ExampleLabor for Marie was difficult. Her obstetrician end opted to use a vacuum extractor to delivery baby Timothy. When Timothy was finally delivered, the doctor noticed indicators that Timothy had a cephalohematoma. The doctor was not surprises, since cephalohematomas are quite common with babies delivered using vacuum extractors. However, not long after baby Timothy fell into a coma and eventually died. It was later determined that Timothy suffered from a subdural hematoma not a cephalohematoma. The blood that pooled in between Timothy’s brain and skull caused so much pressure, that he suffered severe brain damage. With the help of a New York cephalohematoma lawyer, Timothy’s parents filed a claim against the doctor and the hospital, arguing that Timothy died because the doctor misdiagnosed his condition.
Contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & AssociatesIf your baby was born with cephalohematoma, you may wonder what happened. It is possible that your baby’s condition is the result of medical negligence. The experienced cephalohematoma attorneys serving New York at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates can help determine the cause of your baby’s condition, and help you file a claim for compensation so that you will have the resources to ensure your child will have the proper care. 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.