At Dempsey Kingsland Osteen, we understand the distress and confusion that can arise when a newborn suffers from seizures. With over 20 years of extensive litigation experience, our Kansas City law firm stands at the forefront of medical malpractice and birth injury cases. We offer legal representation for families facing such daunting challenges.
Our peers and adversaries alike recognize our commitment to excellence as we consistently handle complex cases with high stakes. Our firm is renowned for its meticulous approach to case preparation and investigation, leaving no stone unturned. We employ a team of full-time medical experts, including doctors and nurses, to thoroughly examine every aspect of your case.
Understanding the causes of newborn seizures and the potential for medical malpractice requires a deep dive into the specifics of each case, something we are adept at handling.
Our team’s skill in pinpointing negligence and advocating for justice enables us to offer unmatched legal support to families in these challenging situations.
Contact Dempsey Kingsland Osteen today for a free consultation to discuss how we can advocate for your rights and help secure the future well-being of your child and family.
What Causes Newborn Seizures?
Newborn seizures often signal underlying neurological issues or conditions arising during birth. The complexity of these medical events necessitates a careful examination of their origins, which can include the following factors:
- Oxygen deprivation (hypoxia). When a baby does not receive enough oxygen during delivery, it can cause brain damage, triggering a fetal stroke or seizure. Monitoring and timely intervention during childbirth are crucial to prevent this condition.
- Traumatic birth injury. The birthing process can sometimes lead to physical harm if excessive force is applied or if birth-assisting tools are misused. Such injuries are potential causes of neonatal seizures.
- Infections. Infections in the mother during pregnancy can cross the placental barrier, affecting the newborn. These maternal infections are risk factors for developing seizures in the newborn period.
Understanding the root causes of newborn seizures is essential for determining the appropriate legal and medical response. Identifying these factors helps establish a connection between the medical care provided and the subsequent health issues, laying the groundwork for potential legal action if negligence is involved.
What Are the Consequences of Newborn Seizure?
The repercussions of newborn seizures are profound and far-reaching, affecting every aspect of the child’s life and well-being. These seizures are not just a temporary medical issue; they can result in significant long-term health challenges. Some of the consequences of a fetal stroke or newborn seizure include:
- Long-term neurological issues. Children who experience seizures shortly after birth may face developmental delays, cognitive impairments, and conditions like cerebral palsy. These issues can affect their learning, behavior, and physical abilities, requiring specialized care and educational support.
- Ongoing medical care. The need for continuous medical attention is common among children who have had newborn seizures. This care might include regular visits to pediatric neurologists, medication management for seizure control, and various physical, occupational, and speech therapies to address developmental challenges.
- Psychological and emotional impact. Beyond the physical health concerns, the emotional and psychological effects on the child and their family can be significant. The stress of managing a chronic medical condition can impact mental health and family dynamics.
- Financial strain. The cost of long-term medical treatment, therapy, and special education services can place a considerable financial burden on families, affecting their quality of life and access to necessary resources.
These consequences highlight the critical nature of addressing newborn seizures promptly and effectively, underscoring the importance of identifying any potential medical malpractice that may have contributed to the condition. Early intervention and comprehensive care are crucial to managing the effects of newborn seizures, and legal action may be necessary to secure the resources needed for the child’s ongoing care and treatment. A newborn seizures lawyer can help you determine whether any of the above conditions stem from the negligence of your care team.
Who Is Responsible for A Newborn Seizure?
A thorough examination of medical and legal elements in each case is essential to hold responsible parties accountable for newborn seizures. This process involves determining who failed in their duty of care and how this failure led to the child’s condition. Those who might be held accountable in such cases include:
- Obstetricians and pediatricians. These medical professionals are directly involved in the birth process and prenatal care. If their actions or lack thereof during delivery or in the prenatal period contributed to the seizures, they could be liable.
- Hospitals. Healthcare facilities can be accountable for systemic issues, such as inadequate staff training, lack of adherence to medical protocols, or failure to provide the necessary equipment and environment for safe delivery.
Holding these parties accountable often necessitates legal action to address negligence and seek compensation for the harm caused. This accountability provides justice for the affected family and promotes higher standards of medical care, preventing similar incidents in the future. The process includes collecting evidence, consulting medical experts, and demonstrating how the standard of care was not met, leading to the newborn’s seizures.
What Can a Newborn Seizures Lawyer Do for You?
As experienced newborn seizures lawyers, we provide the following:
- Comprehensive case evaluation. We review medical records and consult with experts to determine the cause of the seizures and identify any instances of malpractice.
- Dedicated legal representation. Our team aggressively pursues justice, advocating for compensation to cover medical expenses, ongoing care, and other damages.
- Support and guidance. We stand by our clients throughout the legal process, offering legal representation, emotional support, and understanding.
In addition, a newborn seizures attorney can help you secure compensation due to medical malpractice. Compensation can encompass various forms of damages, reflecting the extensive impact of these injuries on the child and family. The types of compensation typically pursued include:
- Medical expenses. These cover immediate and long-term healthcare costs, from hospital stays and medications to ongoing treatments and therapies for managing the child’s condition.
- Pain and suffering. Compensation for the child’s physical discomfort and emotional distress, as well as the psychological impact on the family, is considered under pain and suffering damages.
- Loss of quality of life. Given the potential for lifelong disabilities resulting from newborn seizures, compensation can address the diminished quality of life the child may experience.
- Future care costs. The child may require significant funds for future care needs, including specialized medical treatment, physical therapy, and any necessary adaptive equipment or home modifications.
- Loss of earning potential. Although more challenging to quantify, the potential loss of the child’s ability to earn income in the future can also be factored into the compensation.
Pursuing these damages requires a detailed assessment of the child’s current and future needs, emphasizing the necessity of securing adequate compensation to support their well-being and recovery.
If your child has experienced newborn seizures and you suspect medical malpractice, we are here to help you navigate the complexities of your claims.
Was Your Child Born with a Seizure Disorder?
If you recently learned that your baby was born with a seizure disorder, your child’s condition may have been the result of a healthcare provider’s negligence.
The newborn seizures attorneys at Dempsey Kingsland Osteen have experience handling complex medical malpractice and birth injury cases on behalf of Kansas City families since 1986. Over this time, we’ve not only come to learn a great deal about what it takes to bring a case successfully but also how to provide support to families through what is undeniably a tough time.
To learn more and to schedule a free consultation with a Kansas City medical malpractice attorney in our office, give us a call or connect with us through our secure online contact form.
