Kernicterus Lawyer Handling Cases Nationwide
There are numerous risk factors for kernicterus. One of these is Rh incompatibility, a situation in which the mother's blood is Rh-negative and the baby's is Rh-positive. In this situation, the mother's red blood cells may attack the infant's red blood cells, destroying the red blood cells and causing excessively high bilirubin in the bloodstream, the waste product that all humans produce when blood cells break down.
At Todd & Weld LLP, our attorneys have prevailed in kernicterus cases nationwide. We have the in-depth understanding of the complex legal issues involved to bring these cases to a successful conclusion. Equally important, we offer our clients compassionate advocacy, keeping them fully informed about the progress of their cases, taking the time to listen to their concerns, and providing them with the information and resources they need to help their children.
Because the liver in a newborn is often not fully able to process excess bilirubin, the baby may develop jaundice. This common occurrence becomes more serious when Rh incompatibility is also a factor. Severe forms of Rh incompatibility can result in hydrops fetalis, which can cause severe swelling of the fetus and can result in fetal death. Babies born with this condition are at extremely high risk for kernicterus and often require aggressive treatment with blood transfusions.
Failing to Diagnose Rh Incompatibility
Kernicterus caused by Rh incompatibility has declined in recent years because of the introduction of Rh-immunoglobulin that is administered to Rh-negative pregnant women to prevent the destruction of red blood cells due to the incompatible Rh factor. However, it still occurs, sometimes because a medical provider failed to diagnose or treat the Rh incompatibility. Failure to treat Rh-negative pregnant women with Rh immunoglobulin may indicate medical negligence.
Visit our Resources page or follow the links below for additional information. Our national kernicterus lawyers advocate for families nationwide whose newborns suffered this condition because of unrecognized or untreated Rh incompatibility.
To learn how Todd & Weld LLP can advocate for you in a kernicterus case, contact our lead kernicterus practice area partner, attorney Jeffrey N. Catalano, at 617-624-4789.
