New York Bilirubin-Induced Neurologic Dysfunction

Hyperbilirubin is a condition where a baby has too much bilirubin in his (or her) blood. Too much bilirubin can lead to jaundice and a variety of potentially dangerous neurologic conditions referred to as bilirubin-induced neurologic dysfunction. Babies with bilirubin-induced neurologic dysfunction also referred to as BIND, sometimes have significant medical and developmental problems. If your baby is facing challenges related to BIND, you may have questions as to whether your child’s condition or injury was caused by medical negligence. Contact an experienced New York birth injury lawyer to review the case, as you may be eligible for damages to compensate you for the medical expenses related to your child’s treatment, and other expense and losses that you suffered because of the medical mistake.

Excess bilirubin can lead to jaundice. While jaundice is a common condition in newborns, particularly babies born prematurely, it usually resolves on its own after a few weeks without causing the baby long term medical problems. However, if the bilirubin levels are extremely high, it can attack the brain, putting the baby is at risk for suffering severe neurologic problems due to brain damage. Neurologic conditions associated with excess bilirubin include blindness and other visual problems, neuromotor disorders, hearing loss, movement disorders, and acute bilirubin encephalopathy.

Babies at risk for bilirubin-related complications include premature babies, babies with blood that is not compatible with the mother, and babies who suffer birth injuries such as caput succedaneum or cephalohematoma during labor and delivery. It is incumbent upon the doctors to closely monitor babies born with any of these conditions in order to prevent the development of bilirubin-induced neurologic dysfunction. Symptoms of jaundice include a yellowish tint to the skin and to the whites of the eyes. Others symptoms include the baby seems listless or it is difficult to wake the baby. The baby failing to gain weight, or failing to feed properly are also indicators of extreme jaundice. If the baby was diagnosed with jaundice and it does not go away on its own after three weeks, the baby may be suffering from extremely high bilirubin levels, requiring active treatment.

Jaundice in babies is common. It is easy to test for and treatment is typically uncomplicated and effective. It is incumbent on the doctors and other medical professional responsible for the care of your child to ensure that your child’s bilirubin levels are not high, and if so to take immediate steps to treat the condition.

As a skilled attorney will explain, if your child suffers brain damage, vision or hearing problems, or any other bilirubin-induced neurologic dysfunction due to your doctor’s failure to properly diagnose and treat jaundice, under New York law you have the right to pursue a medical malpractice claim and demand compensation. Brain damage and other complications related to high bilirubin levels leave babies with permanent disabilities, requiring lifelong medical care. The costs associated with the hospital stay, treatment, medication, rehabilitation, assistive technology will be astronomical. With the help of an experienced New York attorney, you can demand payment not only for the past and future medical bills, you can also demand that the negligent doctor pay for the decrease in your child’s quality of life and decrease in potential lifetime earning potential. Furthermore, you can also demand payment for pain and suffering.

If your baby suffered brain damage and neurological injuries due to too much bilirubin in his or her blood, you may be wondering how you are going to pay the medical bills. We can help. The New York attorneys at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates are experienced in handling medical malpractice cases stemming from birth trauma and other mistakes made by doctors, hospitals, and other medical staff. 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.