There are many possible causes of retinopathy of prematurity. The condition affects premature babies, causing the blood vessels in their retina to grow abnormally. As the medical journal The Lancet points out, low birth weight and low gestational age are both major risk factors for the condition.
Premature babies who do not have adequate time to develop in the womb face a high risk for retinopathy of prematurity.
Other possible causes include the following:
- Genetic factors
- The health of the mother
- Certain demographics
- The presence of medical intervention before, during, or after birth.
It is also possible that a medical professional’s incorrect actions caused or worsened the condition in your child. Medical professionals who fail to properly handle a premature baby may further intensify the effects of retinopathy of prematurity.
Similarly, if a medical professional fails to diagnose the condition, it may result in a rapid worsening of the condition, leading to vision problems and even the possibility of a total loss of vision for your child.
Treating Retinopathy of Prematurity
According to the information from the National Eye Institute (NEI), between 1,100 and 1,500 babies require medical treatment for their retinopathy of prematurity every year. When blood vessels grow abnormally in a premature baby’s eyes, it can result in retinal scarring. This scarring can then put undue pressure on the retina, which can cause retinal detachment and eventual blindness.
While these outcomes are avoidable, the condition requires detection and treatment as early as possible. A full series of tests with an eye doctor can provide you with answers on the extent of your child’s condition. An eye doctor can also take action towards developing a treatment plan that minimizes damage.
Treating a condition such as retinopathy of prematurity can introduce many unknown variables. The severity of the condition and the overall health of the child may impact the course of treatment. In any case, treatment methods are typically expensive and resource-heavy.
Most parents who have a child with retinopathy of prematurity have concerns about paying for these medical expenses. If a doctor misdiagnosed or worsened your child’s condition, you may be able to collect financial compensation to cover these bills and other damages.
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Seeking Financial Compensation in a Birth Injury Case
Dealing with health issues is never easy. Trying to confront the legal hurdles in a case of medical malpractice on your own will likely present additional challenges. When you have a lawyer working on your case, they can help you to work through the legal system and lead the fight for justice.
A lawyer who accepts birth injury and medical malpractice cases will interpret any state, local, and federal laws that may affect the outcome of your case. They will also take care of any correspondence with medical professionals, insurance providers, witnesses, and any other parties related to your case for you.
A lawyer will determine your eligibility for compensation by first investigating the situation in detail. To do so, they will collect medical records and other forms of documentation and speak with medical staff and eyewitnesses.
In these efforts, your lawyer will seek to establish a liable party. From here, they can begin fighting to settle with any liable parties, such as individual medical practices or larger healthcare networks.
Contact a Birth Injury Lawyer Today
The many possible causes of retinopathy of prematurity can leave you with questions and uncertainties. If you have any reason to believe that the condition was misdiagnosed, caused, or aggravated by an act of medical malpractice, you may feel overwhelmed. When you get a lawyer working on your side, you can free yourself of your legal concerns and get back to focusing on your family’s health.
A lawyer from the Birth Injury Lawyers Group is here to offer assistance as you process the difficulties that come with a condition like retinopathy of prematurity. Our team will defend you as we investigate the situation, collect key pieces of evidence, and communicate with other parties related to your case on your behalf.
We will also go after any possible forms of monetary compensation that you may be entitled to collect for your pain, suffering, and losses. For a free case review, contact a member of the Birth Injury Lawyers Group today at (800) 222-9529.
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