Some eating and swallowing disorders can be successfully treated in medical facilities by using rehabilitation methods, medications, or physical therapy. Sadly, there are some disorders that may be permanent if the underlying cause of the condition is serious enough, such as neurological injuries inflicted during birth.
There are many different types of eating and swallowing disorders, as well as underlying conditions. If you suspect that your child has an eating or swallowing disorder, you should bring them to a doctor for an immediate evaluation. Ultimately, a doctor may be best able to explain to you if and how your child’s condition may be treated, as well as their potential for recovery.
Because some conditions related to infant eating and swallowing disorders can be the result of doctor negligence, you may want to examine your child’s treatment history for medical malpractice if they receive a diagnosis.
Diagnosing Eating and Swallowing Disorders
Swallowing conditions generally deal with the mouth of the newborn, the pharyngeal area, or the esophagus. However, some conditions deal with the stomach, muscles, the brain, or the respiratory system.
Accordingly, the tests that a doctor performs may be specific to both the eating or swallowing disorder symptoms or any suspected underlying condition.
Medical tests for eating and swallowing conditions can include scans of the body, such as CT scans and X-rays.
Further testing can include:
- Blood tests
- Tests for certain health conditions, infections, and diseases
- Examining the child’s swallowing capabilities, which may involve having the child swallow barium so their digestive tract can be viewed via X-rays
- Using an endoscope to examine the esophagus
- Consulting with specialists
- And more
A doctor may need to perform tests like these in order to arrive at a diagnosis, determine what treatments to use, and give you information about the possible outcomes of your child’s condition.
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How Medical Malpractice Can Cause Eating and Swallowing Conditions
Medical malpractice may be the cause of certain conditions linked to eating and swallowing disorders. If medical malpractice injured your child, civil action against the responsible doctor or hospital may be taken, which may allow you to recover damages related to your financial, psychological, and physical suffering.
Medical malpractice can occur if a negligent doctor directly causes, or does not take adequate measures to prevent, an injury to a newborn. This can happen in prenatal care, delivery, or after birth. A missed diagnosis may also qualify as malpractice if it results in further injuries or complications.
The entities that may be found liable for negligent actions include:
- Physicians
- Nurses
- Pharmacists
- Testing technicians that handle blood work and analyze test results
- Surgeons
- Anesthesiologists
- Manufacturers of defective products, including dangerous medications or faulty tools used during the delivery process
- Entire hospitals, medical practices, or surgical organizations
- And more
As every case is unique, a birth injury lawyer may be able to help you identify the liable party responsible for your child’s injuries and better understand your legal options.
Recoverable Damages in a Medical Malpractice Case
Depending on the details of your case, your child’s injuries, and the medical malpractice laws of your state, the following damages may be available in a medical malpractice birth injury case:
- Your child’s current and future costs of medical treatment, therapy, and rehabilitation
- Lost wages if either parent stops working to care for the child
- Disability
- Pain and suffering
- And more
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Get Help From the Birth Injury Lawyers Group Today
Whether or not a doctor determines that your child’s eating or swallowing disorder can be successfully treated, if medical malpractice was the cause, your family may be able to recover compensation. The Birth Injury Lawyers Group helps families across the U.S. file medical malpractice insurance claims and lawsuits. If we believe that your case has merit, we can guide you through this process and handle all investigations, evidence gathering, and communications on your behalf.
When eating or swallowing disorders are caused by the negligence of a medical professional, the Birth Injury Lawyers Group believes that there is no excuse. Allow us to defend your rights while you focus on your child’s wellbeing.
To learn more about our legal services in a free consultation with a representative of our firm, call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group today at (800) 222-9529.
To keep our services accessible, the Birth Injury Lawyers Group handles many cases on a contingency-fee basis with no up-front payments required of our clients.
"We are committed to helping families who have suffered medical negligence."