The last news a parent wants to hear is that their newborn suffered a severe birth injury. Unfortunately, this is the reality for some parents and newborns that did not receive proper medical care from a doctor or other medical staff. Fortunately, you can pursue a legal claim against a doctor or hospital that caused an injury to your child. If your child developed cephalohematoma due to the negligence of a medical practitioner, you should consult with an experienced Maryland attorney for infant cephalohematoma caused by a birth injury.
At Bennett & Heyman, we are dedicated to working with families that have had to endure a serious birth injury to a child. We believe that negligent doctors and hospitals should be held accountable for failing to uphold the standard of care in their field. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your potential claim, contact Bennett & Heyman at (410) 429-7856. You may also contact the firm online.
Common Causes of Infant Cephalohematoma in Maryland
Infant cephalohematoma is a rare but severe condition when an infant develops it. This condition is identified as a hematoma or a pooling of blood that occurs underneath the skin between the skull bones of a child. There are various signs and symptoms that can show that a child is suffering from infant cephalohematoma. For example, if you notice an irregular bulge at the top of your child’s head, this may be indicative of a cephalohematoma. Other signs and symptoms include anemia and jaundice.
An infant cephalohematoma can lead to a number of other medical conditions that can affect or even threaten the life of a child. The following is a list of common causes of infant cephalohematoma.
Cephalopelvic Disproportion
Cephalopelvic disproportion is a condition that is identified when a mother’s pelvis is not large enough for a child to pass through the birth canal. This condition may also occur if a child’s head or body is too large to fit through the birth canal.
If a child is delivered when a mother has cephalopelvic disproportion, the pressure applied to the head of the child in the birth canal can result in the development of cephalohematoma. That is why it is important for a doctor to warn the mother of the dangers of giving birth with cephalopelvic disproportion. If a doctor fails to develop a plan to deliver the child safely, they could be held responsible if the child is injured during birth.
Negligent Use of Assisted Reproductive Tools
If a doctor determines that a mother is going to have a difficult labor, they may employ the use of assisted reproductive tools. Forceps and vacuum extractors are common tools that are used to aid in the birth of a child. These tools are typically attached to the head of a child to help pull them from the birth canal.
If a doctor uses excessive force when utilizing forceps or vacuum extractors, this could easily lead to an infant cephalohematoma. The skull of a newborn is extremely fragile and requires a doctor to exercise caution when trying to pull the child from the birth canal.
Prolonged Labor
If a mother has a prolonged labor, there is a high risk to the infant because they may remain in the birth canal for an extended period of time. As a result, a child’s head could become stuck in the birth canal, and they could develop a cephalohematoma.
Additionally, the use of Pitocin and other similar drugs can also endanger a child because they can cause volatile contractions.
There are other causes of infant cephalohematoma that are not discussed above. If you believe your child developed a cephalohematoma due to the negligence of a medical practitioner, you should continue reading and speak with an experienced Maryland birth injury lawyer today.
Statute of Limitations for Infant Cephalohematoma Injury Lawsuit in Maryland
If your child was the victim of medical malpractice and developed infant cephalohematoma, you should waste no time in seeking a lawsuit against the doctor or hospital responsible for your child’s injuries. The statute of limitations is the primary reason that you should pursue your injury lawsuit promptly. This law sets a limit on the amount of time that a potential plaintiff has to file a certain type of lawsuit.
The statute of limitations can vary depending on the type of lawsuit that a claimant wishes to file. That is why it is important to speak with an experienced attorney that can keep you apprised of the filing deadline for your case.
In Maryland, the statute of limitations for a medical malpractice lawsuit is five years after the date of the injury. However, if you did not discover an injury until a later date, the statute of limitations will change to three years after the discovery of the injury. Failure to file your lawsuit within this timeframe may result in the court barring your claim.
Contact Our Experienced Maryland Lawyer for Infant Cephalohematoma Birth Injuries
If your newborn experienced infant cephalohematoma due to medical malpractice, you should consult with an experienced Maryland birth injury lawyer for infant cephalohematoma. The medical malpractice lawyers at Bennett & Heyman possess a wide range of legal experience, and we would be honored to use that knowledge to fight for you. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your claim, contact Bennett & Heyman at (410) 429-7856. You can also contact the firm online.
