A neonatal stroke can have severe effects on a newborn. While strokes are more likely to occur to the elderly and those with severe medical conditions, it is still possible for a baby to have a neonatal stroke. Under some circumstances, a neonatal stroke may be an indication that a doctor committed medical malpractice when delivering a child. If your child had a neonatal stroke during delivery, you should consult with an experienced Maryland attorney for neonatal strokes occurring during childbirth.
At Bennett & Heyman, we have a skilled legal team that has worked on a plethora of birth injury cases, and we would be pleased to use our skills to pursue your medical malpractice claim. A newborn should never have to suffer due to the negligence of a medical practitioner. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your legal claim, contact Bennett & Heyman at (410) 429-7856. You can also reach the firm online.
How Neonatal Strokes Happen During Childbirth in Maryland
A stroke is a medical condition that occurs when an artery carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain ruptures or the artery is impeded by a blood clot or other blockage. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) identifies neonatal strokes as strokes that happen within a baby’s first 28 days of life. In some cases, a baby could have a stroke within his or her first seven days of life; this is referred to as a perinatal stroke.
Neonatal strokes are often linked to oxygen deprivation, also referred to as hypoxia. Hypoxia occurs when a child’s brain does not receive sufficient oxygen before, during, or after childbirth. For example, if a child becomes trapped in the birth canal for an extended period of time, this may lead to oxygen deprivation. Additionally, knots in the umbilical cord are also extremely dangerous and may cause hypoxia. If a doctor allows a child to suffer from oxygen deprivation during delivery, they could be held liable for medical malpractice.
It is important to note that the health of a mother may also play a role in a neonatal stroke. For example, if a mother has a placental infection like chorioamnionitis, the infection could pass to the baby and increase the risk of a neonatal stroke. Doctors should frequently test a mother for infections and other conditions that could affect the child during pregnancy. When medical practitioners fail to check a mother for infections during her pregnancy, they could be held liable if the infection harms the child.
There are other medical conditions that could lead to a child suffering a neonatal stroke, like homocysteine or a lipid disorder. You should be sure to speak with an experienced medical practitioner to determine how your child sustained a neonatal stroke.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Neonatal Strokes
There are many cases where a baby does not exhibit apparent symptoms of a neonatal stroke. Due to this, it can often be difficult to pinpoint when an infant suffered a stroke. However, if a child has trouble with the following developmental milestones, this may be a sign of a neonatal stroke:
- Difficulties with speech
- Issues with balance
- Numbness on one half of the child’s body
This is not an exhaustive list. Seizures can also be a symptom of neonatal strokes. While a seizure in a newborn is not easily identified, there are some signs like sudden jerking movements and blank stares that a doctor and parent should look out for.
There are few treatments to manage a neonatal stroke. However, there are some experimental forms of treatment that may be used to combat the effects of a neonatal stroke. For example, a doctor may employ the use of hypothermia treatment to increase blood flow and keep the baby’s body from overheating.
To learn more about filing a medical malpractice lawsuit in Maryland, you should continue reading and contact an experienced Maryland medical malpractice lawyer to discuss your potential case.
Filing Deadline for Neonatal Stroke Malpractice Lawsuits in Maryland
A neonatal stroke caused by a birth injury can substantially affect a family. To manage the extensive medical bills and other expenses that arise from a birth injury, you should consider a medical malpractice lawsuit. Note, however, that potential plaintiffs only have a limited amount of time to file a medical malpractice lawsuit.
The filing deadline for a case is determined by the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations period may change depending on how the case arose. For example, medical malpractice lawsuits may have a different deadline than product liability lawsuits.
In Maryland, a plaintiff must file his or her medical malpractice lawsuit within five years of the date of the injury or three years from the date the injury was discovered. It is also important to note that the statute of limitations can change for a minor. For example, a minor has three years after the date of his or her 18th birthday to file their lawsuit. Additionally, a parent can also file suit on behalf of his or her child.
Our firm would welcome the chance to speak with you about your potential case.
Contact Our Experienced Maryland Lawyer for Neonatal Stroke Occurring During Childbirth
If your child was a victim of medical malpractice at birth, contact an experienced Maryland lawyer for neonatal strokes occurring during childbirth. At Bennett & Heyman, our legal team has decades of legal experience between our attorneys, and we are ready to fight for you. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your medical malpractice claim, contact Bennett & Heyman at (410) 429-7856. Our firm is also available online.
