Early medical treatment can improve the vision of an infant with eye disease, which means a delayed diagnosis could lead to permanent damage retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) cases. Ideally, treatment should begin within three days of diagnosis. Additional damages that could result from ROP include:
- Blindness
- Retinal disease
- Nearsightedness
Tests and examinations used to diagnose retinopathy of prematurity include retinal exams. These may be given at different ages depending on how prematurely the infant was born and their birth weight. Accurate diagnosis also depends on regularly scheduled follow-up exams.
Prompt diagnosis of retinopathy of prematurity may allow your child’s health care team to create a comprehensive treatment plan and lead to a more favorable prognosis.
Do Not Delay Seeking Legal Assistance
Proving that you are entitled to financial recovery for your baby’s ROP can be challenging to do on your own. A birth injury lawyer might be able to help by proving the required legal components of medical neglect and ensuring that your potential lawsuit is filed on time. The legal components of medical negligence include:
- Duty of care
- Breach of duty
- Cause of injuries
- Financial damages
Once these elements are established, do not wait to file your lawsuit. A delayed filing could mean that you inadvertently miss the filing deadline in your state.
While each state has a filing deadline for civil cases, yours may also have rules that allow you to pause the statute of limitations for birth injury lawsuits. The best thing to do to ensure timely compliance with the law is to speak to a legal team in your area who knows the laws in your state.
"If your child was born with a birth injury, or cerebral palsy, we can help."
Your Child Might Be Entitled to Monetary Compensation
If your child was born prematurely and developed ROP, they might be entitled to financial awards for their current and ongoing medical care, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) expenses, exam costs, and surgical intervention.
They may also receive compensation for:
- In-home medical equipment
- Follow-up medical care
- Assistive medical devices
- Required medication
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
In addition to the compensation your child might be entitled to recover, you might also be eligible to recoup certain expenses and losses as a parent. These may include income loss and emotional distress.
Your lawyer can help you carefully track and record your financial expenses and losses to ensure your lawsuit is not undervalued or underpaid.
Resolve Your Birth Injury Lawsuit without Going to Court
When depositions, informal interviews, and medical evidence are reviewed by legal and insurance representatives for both parties in your lawsuit, it might be resolved with a financial settlement versus a trial. Many civil lawsuits are resolved this way once the evidence points to negligence and liability.
A signed settlement agreement is final. You cannot seek additional compensation at a later date even if you become aware of additional valid expenses. That makes it important to avoid accepting a speedy settlement offer in favor of waiting for all birth injury-related expenses to become clear.
The lawyer who helps you resolve your lawsuit with a settlement may help you consider the advantages and disadvantages of each settlement offer you receive.
"We know first-hand what you are going through."
Let Our Team Help You Fight for Financial Compensation
If your child was born prematurely and retinopathy of prematurity compromised their eye health, a vision specialist may help you understand the challenges they might face. A legal team may help you understand your compensation options.
Get help today if a delayed diagnosis led to permanent damage in your child’s case of retinopathy of prematurity. You might have the ability to seek financial compensation on their behalf. For a free case review, call the client support team at the Birth Injury Lawyers Group today at (800) 222-9529.
"We are committed to helping families who have suffered medical negligence."