Most cases of subconjunctival hemorrhage go away on their own, but some may lead to lasting damage or be a sign of a more serious birth injury. If your newborn suffered from a subconjunctival hemorrhage, you should let a birth injury attorney familiar with this type of injury review your case.
You can call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group today to connect with an attorney in your state. You can reach us by calling 1-800-222-9529.
Infant Subconjunctival Hemorrhage Lawsuits & Injury Cases
You may be eligible to recover damages in a birth injury claim if you can show your doctor or another care provider caused your newborn to suffer preventable injuries. To hold your doctor or hospital liable for your infant’s subconjunctival hemorrhage, you will need to show they deviated from the acceptable practices and failed to uphold the expected standard of care, leading to your baby’s injuries.
To prove negligence and liability, your attorney can help you identify and enlist the help of a medical expert witness who can review the facts of your case, explain the acceptable standard of care, and testify to the fact that your doctor or other caregiver acted negligently. This type of testimony is key in proving these cases.
If you have a strong argument to prove medical malpractice, you may be able to recover a range of damages that include:
- Medical care costs, although these are often minimal with subconjunctival hemorrhage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering
If your baby also suffered other birth injuries, you may be eligible for additional damages, including therapy and rehabilitation costs, ongoing care costs, and other expenses. Reach out to an attorney today about your case. You only have a limited time to take legal action.
Infant Subconjunctival Hemorrhage Overview
Subconjunctival hemorrhage, a red spot in the white portion of the eye, is fairly common following birth but can occur because of medical malpractice. It does not affect vision and usually goes away in a few days.
Infant Subconjunctival Hemorrhage Causes
Subconjunctival hemorrhages can occur without any type of negligence, especially when the mother has a long, difficult labor, and the baby experiences many intense contractions. However, it is also often the result of poor choices and negligence on the part of doctors and other health practitioners.
Some causes of infant subconjunctival hemorrhage that may be examples of medical malpractice include:
- Doctors using inappropriate tactics and excessive force on the baby during labor
- Inexpert or incorrect use of forceps or a vacuum extraction device
In some cases, subconjunctival hemorrhage may be just one birth injury the newborn suffers. The same forces that cause this type of injury can also cause other birth injuries. For this reason, it is important to observe your baby carefully for any other signs or symptoms.
Infant Subconjunctival Hemorrhage Symptoms
The primary symptom of subconjunctival hemorrhage is a red spot in the white of the eye. This red spot, which could be very small or could cover much of the white of the eye, is the hemorrhage.
Infant Subconjunctival Hemorrhage Diagnosis and Treatment
Doctors can usually diagnose an infant subconjunctival hemorrhage by looking at the infant’s eye. In some cases, though, they may want to run tests to rule out additional, more serious birth injuries. Because this condition can occur when the infant experiences trauma during delivery, other birth injuries are possible. This may include types of facial paralysis, skull fractures, spinal cord damage, and more.
Infant Subconjunctival Hemorrhage Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my baby has an infant subconjunctival hemorrhage?
A subconjunctival hemorrhage is easily recognizable in an infant. If your newborn has this condition, you will see a bright red spot or a large red area in the white of one or both of their eyes.
Can infant subconjunctival hemorrhage be fatal?
An infant subconjunctival hemorrhage is not fatal, nor is it painful or damaging to the eye in the vast majority of cases. It should clear on its own in a few days to a few weeks. Other conditions caused by the same inappropriate forces used to deliver the child may be more severe; however. It is important to report any possible symptoms to a trusted doctor right away.
Who is liable for infant subconjunctival hemorrhage?
If you can build a strong case to prove your newborn suffered birth injuries because of medical negligence, you may be able to hold the doctor and/or the hospital liable for the birth injuries your baby sustained.
What is the statute of limitations for infant subconjunctival hemorrhage?
Like other states, your state has a statute of limitations that puts a deadline on how long you have to file a lawsuit against a liable doctor or hospital. Your attorney can explain this deadline in your case.
In addition to the statute of limitations, each state has other laws that may apply in a birth injury case. Often, they allow young victims more time to pursue a claim, putting off their deadline (tolling) for several years. However, they may also have a statute of repose on the books. This type of law limits how long you have to take action, no matter what.
Infant Subconjunctival Hemorrhage Glossary Terms
- What is a Conjunctiva? The conjunctiva is the mucous membrane covering the front of the eye. It also covers the inside of the eyelids, helping to keep your eyes moist.
- What is Hemorrhagic Conjunctivitis? Hemorrhagic conjunctivitis is a contagious eye infection related to the common childhood illness “pink eye.”
- What is a Sclera? The sclera is a dense connective tissue that forms the white of the eye.
Talk to an Infant Subconjunctival Hemorrhage Birth Injury Attorney
If your newborn suffered a subconjunctival hemorrhage and/or other injuries during labor and delivery, you may be eligible to pursue compensation. Call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group at 1-800-222-9529 today. You can connect with a local birth injury attorney who can review your case for free.
What Causes Subconjunctival Hemorrhages?
Subconjunctival hemorrhages are relatively common in newborns and occur because of the pressures the infant endures during the birth process. While they are not always indicative of a preventable birth injury, and they generally pose no harm to the child, they may be a sign that the birth was particularly rough or traumatic.
In some situations, this is preventable, and any injuries the baby suffered may be because the doctor acted carelessly or negligently. There may be additional birth injuries that are much more serious, so the medical care team should perform a full evaluation of the infant.
Subconjunctival Hemorrhages Can Occur as a Result of the Normal Birth Process or Preventable Circumstances
Sometimes, the birth process is what generally causes subconjunctival hemorrhages. This type of injury can even happen when an older child or adult coughs or sneezes. However, it can also be a sign of unusually rough or traumatic labor and delivery. This could include:
- An extraordinarily long second phase of labor
- An unusually difficult birth
- Cephalo-pelvic disproportion (baby too large for the birth canal)
- High blood pressure
If there were other indications of any of these conditions, or if your child also suffered additional birth injuries, you may want to discuss the circumstances of their birth with a medical malpractice attorney in your state. Many birth injuries that occur because of a long or difficult birth are preventable. Failure to take action on the part of the doctor or hospital staff may be grounds for a medical malpractice birth injury lawsuit.
Understanding Subconjunctival Hemorrhages, Symptoms, and Treatment
If your newborn suffered a subconjunctival hemorrhage during labor or delivery, you will know as soon as they open their eyes after birth. The only sign or symptom is a bright red area on the white of their eye caused by blood vessels that burst.
The blood is not on the surface of the eye, but instead between the mucous membrane that lines the eye (the conjunctiva) and the white of the eye (the sclera). This means there is no discharge or pain, and it does not affect vision in the eye. The doctor will likely examine the infant’s eye and diagnose the condition with a visual exam.
There is no treatment for a subconjunctival hemorrhage. The blood between the conjunctiva and sclera will slowly reabsorb into the body over the course of a few weeks. The sclera will generally turn yellow, then slowly return to white.
The Prognosis for an Infant with a Subconjunctival Hemorrhage is Excellent
In general, a child who suffers a subconjunctival hemorrhage birth injury will heal on their own with no medical intervention within a few weeks. This injury does not cause any problems with vision and there are no known serious complications, so there is generally no reason to worry if your child has this type of injury.
However, it is important to note that a long or difficult birth, high blood pressure, or other issues that can cause subconjunctival hemorrhage also increase the risk factors for other types of birth injuries. Even if there is no sign of additional injuries at birth, it is critical to monitor your child’s development as they grow and learn to ensure they meet developmental milestones and do not fall behind their same-age peers.
Birth Injury Lawsuits
Birth injuries are often preventable. If your child endured a long or difficult birth and suffered injuries because of it, your doctor or hospital may be to blame. Many birth injuries occur because of mistakes made by health care providers. You may have a valid birth injury medical malpractice lawsuit if your child suffered injuries because:
- Your doctor failed to monitor your pregnancy adequately.
- Your doctor did not closely monitor labor.
- Your doctor did not call for an emergency cesarean section (C-section) when necessary.
- Your doctor failed to follow proper protocols during labor and delivery.
- Your doctor did not recognize signs of cephalopelvic disproportion or another concern that made vaginal birth difficult.
To learn more about your rights and the laws in your state, you should discuss your case with a medical malpractice attorney who understands what causes subconjunctival hemorrhage and handles birth injury cases near you. They can evaluate the strength of your case and help you pursue compensation if they believe you have a valid birth injury case.
You may be eligible for damages that include:
- Medical care costs
- Ongoing and future care costs
- Out-of-pocket costs related to the injury or treatment
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Talk to a Birth Injury Attorney in Your State Today
The Birth Injury Lawyers Group can connect you with a birth injury medical malpractice lawyer who will evaluate your case for free today. Call (800) 222-9529 to learn more.