Maryland NICU Injuries Lawyer
Seeing your baby go to the NICU instead of the nursery can be a devastating experience for parents. You thought the baby was born healthy, so there may be concerns about what the nurses or doctors did wrong. Were they negligent in any way?
Get your questions answered and get the reassurance you need. You may be able to file a medical malpractice claim. Find out more from the Maryland NICU injuries lawyer at Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman.
Common NICU Injuries/Errors
Common NICU mistakes include the following:
- Newborn resuscitation errors. Sometimes a baby isn’t breathing properly after birth or fails to breathe at all. The newborn may also have an irregular heart rhythm or no heartbeat at all. Resuscitation needs to happen as quickly as possible or it can cause the baby’s brain to be severely deprived of oxygen. Failure to properly insert a breathing tube into the baby’s upper airway can also cause oxygen deprivation and other major complications. Insertion of a breathing tube requires skill and could cause complications if done improperly. If the tube is inserted into the baby’s esophagus, for example, air will be unable to reach the baby’s lungs. Another issue occurs if the tube is inserted into just one side of the upper airway. This makes it so only one lung will be getting air. Proper resuscitation may also require the administration of proper medications to help with the baby’s heart function, blood flow, and blood pressure. In addition, time is of the essence, so these resuscitation maneuvers need to occur immediately after birth.
- Breathing assistance errors. When a baby is getting breathing assistance from a ventilator, doctors must pay attention to the machine’s settings on the ventilator to make sure the baby is getting enough oxygen. Sometimes the breaths given to the baby are too big, which can cause the baby to get rid of too much carbon dioxide. Low carbon dioxide levels can constrict blood vessels in the brain, which can reduce blood flow and can cause permanent brain damage and cerebral palsy. Also, if the baby stops breathing for more than 20 seconds, it can lead to hyperventilation, brain injuries, seizures, and cerebral palsy.
- Mismanagement of brain bleeds. Intracranial hemorrhages, also known as brain bleeds, can cause severe brain damage, which means early recognition and proper management is essential. Medical professionals should know to look for brain bleeds in babies who experienced a difficult delivery, especially if forceps or vacuum extractors were involved. Treatment for brain bleeds may include surgery, transfusions, and other therapies to increase blood volume and pressure.
Contact Us Today
If your baby has suffered NICU injuries, seek legal help right away. The experienced personal injury lawyers at Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman can evaluate and investigate claims and help you develop a strong medical negligence case. We have access to medical experts who can act as an expert witness for your lawsuit. Get started by calling 410-998-3600 today.
