Premature deliveries are sometimes unavoidable, and “preemies” need the most delicate and thoughtful care. If your premature baby was seriously hurt during or after birth, a Miami premature delivery injury lawyer can help. Contact our skilled attorneys at Kaire & Heffernan today for a free consultation.
Our knowledgeable birth injury attorneys have helped many Miami families get the compensation they deserve during these difficult times. Unlike other firms, we treat all our clients with the same compassion and respect.
Most infants are carried to term, typically at around 40 weeks of pregnancy. To be considered a “preemie,” a baby is born much earlier than expected. An infant born at 36 weeks or less is typically regarded as premature.
Sometimes, a premature delivery is expected. This is particularly true for multiple pregnancies (such as twins, triplets, etc.) and complicated cases. Other times, families are utterly surprised when a mother goes into labor months or weeks earlier than planned.
Upon delivery, most preemies will spend days, weeks, or months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the hospital, where they will receive specialized care. This special care may include the use of feeding tubes, careful feeding management, warming blankets, oxygen therapy, and light therapy for low bilirubin counts.
Even with quality healthcare, some premature infants face serious illness and injury during and after birth.
The most common issues faced by preemie infants have to do with their respiratory system (breathing). Preemie lungs may not be fully functioning yet, and the oxygen systems used by NICUs can lead to bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).
While a lack of oxygen can cause problems throughout the infant’s entire body, it can cause tremendous damage to the brain, and that is called Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).
Apnea, that is, difficulty remembering to breathe, is also common among preemies.
Preemies can also endure brain injuries around the time of their birth, such as Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL) and Intraventricular Hemorrhage (IVH).
PVL is damage to the white matter of the brain and can lead to cerebral palsy. IVH is bleeding in the brain, which can cause many serious problems, including cognitive issues, neurological issues, and developmental delays.
An attorney in Miami could determine whether a premature delivery injury was caused by malpractice.
Every case of premature delivery injury or infection is unique. That is why families should seek the help of a Miami premature delivery injury lawyer right away.
The at-fault party may be the OB-GYN who refused to do a Caesarian delivery. Or perhaps the attending pediatrician misdiagnosed an issue. Sometimes, hospital staff may be at fault for not properly cleaning their hands or using instruments that were not properly sterilized, which can lead to a life-threatening infection.
Regardless of who is at fault, the preemie’s family will spend a lot of time and money caring for their infant. Hospital bills and therapy costs will continue to pile up, all while parents face the emotional trauma of coping with premature birth injuries. A Miami lawyer will account for all of these losses in a premature delivery injury claim for compensation.
If your preemie baby suffered from injuries or infections, you need the help of an experienced Miami premature delivery injury lawyer. The sooner you have a consultation, the better. Contact the seasoned Miami preemie birth injury attorneys at Kaire & Heffernan today.
We look forward to meeting your family, hearing your unique story, and helping you through this challenging time.
(305) 876-6001