Most adults know that a newborn’s head can be a little misshapen soon after birth, but if there is an enormous bulge on the head, it may be something more. That child may have a cephalohematoma, which could be the first sign of serious birth injuries that could lead to brain damage.
If your infant had a cephalohematoma and later developed complications, or you believe your doctor may have caused your child’s cephalohematoma, speak to our District of Columbia birth injury lawyer in a free consultation. We have experience in infant cephalohematoma cases.
Explaining Cephalohematoma
A cephalohematoma is a swollen bump filled with blood on the head. It’s a classic sign of a head injury. It’s caused when the blood vessels between the skull and the skin get broken. These bumps go away with time, but they can develop complications like infection, jaundice, or anemia in infants.
In an infant, these bumps can be quite dramatic and need medical monitoring until they heal. A baby with a cephalohematoma also needs to be checked for a potential skull fracture or brain bleeding. If the trauma that caused the bump goes deeper into the head, doctors must take action before brain damage happens.
External trauma is almost always the cause of cephalohematomas. Using forceps or a vacuum extraction device during delivery raises the chances of cephalohematoma, especially vacuum extraction. You may wonder if using these devices was worth the risk of cephalohematoma. We can find out for you.
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Standards of Care and Malpractice Lawsuits
We must prove that someone else was responsible for your child’s cephalohematoma to win your case. However, medicine isn’t a science where everything always goes right. A doctor can do everything right and still injure or kill a patient.
In medicine, doing things the right way means following the standards of care. These standards are created by science and the opinions of doctors over time. We have to show that someone breached these standards and caused your child’s cephalohematoma to win.
A doctor might argue that they had to use more force to prevent a more serious health condition. This is why birth injury lawyers work with other doctors who serve as expert witnesses. They can give testimony about how another approach might have worked or if someone on your medical team made a mistake.
District of Columbia Infant Cephalohematoma Lawyer Near Me (800) 222-9529
What Should I Do if My Infant Has a Bump on the Head After Birth?
If you suspect your child has a cephalohematoma, have it examined by a doctor you trust. While most clear up in a few weeks on their own, infants must be monitored for potential complications or hidden injuries. You can pay for this care through your lawsuit, and the examination will help us prove you have a case.
Once your child has a diagnosis, it’s time to talk with an infant cephalohematoma lawyer to learn your legal options. We will see if you have a case based on the evidence. If you do, we will discuss your chances of success if you sue and what your legal options are.
We understand you want answers about what caused your child’s cephalohematoma. Between the doctor’s examination and our legal experience, we can find the answers for you. You should not have to pay for your child’s injuries if someone else hurt them through negligence.
"We know first-hand what you are going through."
Is There a Deadline to File a Lawsuit?
Yes, there is. In the District of Columbia, you have three years to sue on your child’s behalf for their cephalohematoma or any other birth injury. Beyond this point, the court can dismiss your case for breaching the statute of limitations.
Since most cephalohematomas clear on their own within weeks, it’s in your best interests to start your case as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to get the evidence necessary to win your case.
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What if It’s Just a Bump?
Even if there is no deeper injury and there’s just the bump, that’s still worthy of a lawsuit if a doctor caused it. The care for treating a cephalohematoma is still money you wouldn’t have had to pay if the doctor took care.
You probably will also lose money from taking time off work caring for your child, and repeated doctor’s visits for checkups can quickly add up. Plus, there is the matter of your child’s pain and suffering. A skilled infant cephalohematoma attorney can help you get compensation for these damages and more.
The choice of whether to file a lawsuit is up to you, but you can’t make that choice until you have guidance from a lawyer who has handled these kinds of cases. We’ll use our experience to explain your chances of success, what you’ll likely receive if you win, and if it’s worth pursuing.
How Will I Pay for My Lawyer?
All of our lawyers work using contingency fees, but what does that mean? We get paid when we give our clients a satisfactory outcome. If they win their cases and get compensation, we get paid. If they get nothing, we get nothing. Our fee is contingent on you winning your claim.
Also, we only get paid through your compensation. If you use our services, we will take a percentage of the final amount. Ask us about our contingency percentages during your consultation and how we will get you more money than you would on your own despite our fees.
Contingency fees make it possible for anyone to hire the services of a birth injury lawyer, no matter how much they earn or what’s in their bank account. All children deserve justice, and we will help you get justice for yours.
Contact Our Infant Cephalohematoma Attorneys in Washington, D.C.
If your child was born with a cephalohematoma and you believe someone caused it at the hospital, you may be entitled to compensation. The Birth Injury Lawyers Group can put you in touch with an infant cephalohematoma attorney to see if you have a case.
To get started with a free case evaluation, call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group at the number on your screen or email us through our contact page.
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