A baby’s head is sometimes shaped a little funny right after birth because the skull is soft, but some lumps on the head are not normal. Sometimes an underlying injury called a cephalohematoma could make your infant’s head swell, and it could be a symptom of a deeper problem.
Find out if malpractice caused that bump on your child’s head by speaking with our infant cephalohematoma attorneys in Phoenix, AZ. The Birth Injury Lawyers Group can tell you if you have a case and help you get compensation for the injury to your child.
For a free legal consultation, call 1-800-222-9529
What Is a Cephalohematoma?
It’s a complicated word for a simple concept. A cephalohematoma is nothing more than the classic raised bump on the head after an injury. Yet, these swollen parts can be much larger than usual in an infant.
They’re caused by vascular damage between the skin and the outermost layer of the skull. They’re not a normal part of birth, and your doctor should have sent your child to medical imaging if they found one. Sometimes a cephalohematoma can hide damage to the skull itself.
If blood makes its way into the brain through the skull, the brain bleeding can cause serious brain damage or death in your infant. Cephalohematomas will clear up on their own with time, but if your child starts having seizures, lethargy, or abnormal movement or grip, get medical attention immediately and then call our lawyers.
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Other Dangers of Cephalohematoma
Even if there is no underlying brain damage, cephalohematomas still need medical attention. The pocket of blood causing the swelling can get infected. The change in blood flow can also cause infant anemia or jaundice.
Over time, the body will reabsorb the blood and heal the blood vessels. Your child will need checkups until the lump is clear. This can take several weeks. Fortunately, most cephalohematomas disappear with no problems.
If a medical error caused your child’s bump, even if there are no further complications, you may still have a malpractice claim. Taking your child to check on the bump costs money; if your doctor was responsible, they should pay for it.
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How do I Prove My Doctor Did It?
You don’t have to. That’s the job of your infant cephalohematoma attorney. Our legal advisors will seek the evidence you need to prove to an insurer or to the courts that your doctor negligently harmed your child, then negotiate with them to get compensation for your child.
Proving negligence requires showing there was a duty of care, that the duty of care was breached, that the breach harmed your child, and proof of the child’s injuries and other damages. Through your child’s medical records and past case experience, we can determine if your case meets these standards.
Once you have an infant cephalohematoma lawyer, all you need to do is follow their instructions. They will handle the legalities of getting compensation so you can focus on caring for your child, not arguing with insurers who have the upper hand.
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Will My Case Take a Long Time?
It may, but it depends on a lot of things. If the evidence is clear and the insurance company doesn’t drag its feet, a case might take a few weeks to finish. If they choose to push the case all the way to trial, it could take years.
However, the biggest roadblock to getting the compensation you deserve is not having a lawyer. If you’ve already received a settlement offer from an insurer, do not accept it! First, run it by a lawyer. They can tell you if you are leaving money on the table.
You cannot get more money later if you take a settlement offer. This can put you deeply in debt if your infant’s cephalohematoma hides a worse injury. The sooner you work with us, the sooner you can get the correct amount of money you deserve.
How Much Money Could I Get for My Child’s Case?
Arizona sets no legal limit to how much money you can get for a personal injury case, so the limits are based on what damages we can prove, the policy limits of the insurance, and sometimes the will of the court. Some damages you could get paid for include:
- Medical costs for treating your child’s cephalohematoma
- Any related medical costs to the mother and the injury (e.g. trauma from the birth that injured your child)
- Lost wages from caring for your child, like taking them to see specialists
- Pain and suffering, along with other non-economic damages
- Medications, therapy, and additional out-of-pocket costs
You do not have to worry about calculating the costs of these. That’s another job for your birth injury attorney. Before approaching the insurers with a number, we will investigate every potential avenue for compensation that could apply to your child’s case.
How Long do I Have to File?
Under Arizona law, mothers have two years to sue someone for injuring them. Babies have a much longer time frame. Minors may not sue until they’re 18, so they have until two years after to file a claim on their own.
However, it’s better for parents to sue on behalf of their children as soon as possible. Not only will you get your money faster, but you’ll also have a better chance of success. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to gather evidence and make a strong claim for compensation.
Start Your Infant Cephalohematoma Claim Today
If you live in Phoenix and your infant was diagnosed with infant cephalohematoma, get them examined to check for brain damage. After that, contact The Birth Injury Lawyers Group to speak with a qualified attorney with experience in infant cephalohematoma.
Call or text us at the number on your screen, or reach out to us by email through our contact page to get started. Your consultation is free, and our services are free unless you receive compensation with our help. Call today and learn your legal options.
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