A subconjunctival hemorrhage is bleeding underneath the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is the thin layer of tissue that lines the inside of the eyelids and the outer surfaces of the sclera. A subconjunctival hemorrhage can occur for a variety of reasons including a severe sneeze, a cough, heavy lifting, straining, or vomiting. Although this condition can happen at any age, it typically happens as a birth injury to babies as a result of trauma during labor. A subconjunctival hemorrhage is often accompanied by other much more serious injuries such as brain damage. If your child was seriously hurt during labor and delivery and you believe that it was due to medical negligence, it is important that you immediately contact an experienced New York subconjunctival hemorrhage lawyer as you may be entitled to compensation from the negligent medical professional.
Causes of subconjunctival hemorrhageWhile a subconjunctival hemorrhage is often a condition that quickly resolves itself, it is also often a sign that some sort of labor trauma occurred. Thus, if subconjunctival hemorrhage is present, the doctor should check the baby for other serious injuries that need immediate treatment. For example, subconjunctival hemorrhage is associated with prolonged difficult delivery. When a delivery takes longer than 18-21 hours, it is generally considered prolonged. Delivery is a stressful event for the baby. As the baby moves through the birth canal a tremendous amount of stress is put on the baby’s body. The longer the baby is in the birth canal, the more stress there is on the baby, and the greater the likelihood that the baby will suffer a serious injury. Thus, the longer it takes for the baby to be delivered, the greater the chance that the blood vessels in the baby’s eyes will burst.
Subconjunctival hemorrhage can also be caused by asphyxia, which is another dangerous condition associated with labor and delivery. Asphyxia is a derivation of oxygen that leads to brain damage. During delivery there is always a risk that the baby’s oxygen supply will be compromised. For example, umbilical irregularities can lead to asphyxia. There is even a greater risk of birth asphyxia if the baby is preterm and his or her lungs baby’s lungs are not fully developed. When a baby is goes into distress due to a lack of oxygen, the baby may suffer subconjunctival hemorrhages.
Subconjunctival hemorrhage is also associated with the use of delivery instruments such as forceps and vacuum extractors. If the doctor does not use these instruments with care, they can cause trauma to the baby leading to burst blood vessels in the baby’s eyes.
Pursuing compensation for subconjunctival hemorrhageLabor and delivery complications can often be avoided with proper care and monitoring by the doctor. On the other hand, as a subconjunctival hemorrhage attorney in New York will explain in detail, if the doctor fails to give the baby proper care, and as a result the baby suffers a serious injury, the doctor may be liable for malpractice. Furthermore, even if the baby’s subconjunctival hemorrhage was not the result of medical negligence, if the doctor fails to properly treat subconjunctival hemorrhage and as a result a serious condition such as ophthalmologic complications or brain damage goes untreated, the doctor would still be liable for medical malpractice.
HypotheticalJune’s doctor was away that June suffered from gestational diabetes. He also understood that there was a high possibility that June’s baby would be large. Despite this, he opted to deliver her baby via vaginal delivery. During delivery the baby got stuck in June’s birth canal. The doctor chose to use forceps to pull the baby through the birth canal. June’s baby was born with a subconjunctival hemorrhage as well as a skull fracture, facial lacerations and mild brain damage. With the help of a New York subconjunctival hemorrhage lawyer, June filed a medical malpractice claim against her doctor.
Contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & AssociatesIf you are concerned that injuries suffered by either you or your baby were the result of a mistake made by your doctor, you deserve answers. Birth injuries are emotionally painful. In addition, caring for an injured child can be financially draining. The subconjunctival hemorrhage attorneys serving New York at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates have the skill, knowledge and resources to thoroughly investigate your case and determine if negligence was involved. Contact us a shoulder dystocia attorney at our New York office 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.