Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) may not be preventable, but it may be detectable during the early stages of pregnancy. Early detection can allow the health care team to take measures to limit the potential harm of TTTS. According to MedlinePlus, steps to manage TTTS before the delivery of twins or multiples may include:
- Regular monitoring
- Repeated tests of amniotic fluid
- Fetal surgical intervention
If the medical team failed to take measures to prevent twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome from causing additional complications for your babies, you could seek damages. A birth injury lawyer might be able to help you explore compensation options to cover the costly medical care their condition requires.
The Importance of Acting Quickly in a Medical Malpractice Case
Filing a medical malpractice lawsuit requires a complex series of steps and may involve more than one important filing deadline. For example, each state has its own statute of limitations for initiating a lawsuit.
There may be additional rules allowing you to toll the statute of limitations for birth injury lawsuits. Many states also require the filing of specific affidavits when suing for medical malpractice. This notification often has its own timeline and legal specifications.
Failing to meet all required timelines could put your financial recovery in jeopardy. With timely intervention, a birth injury lawyer could help you avoid this risk.
In addition to helping you comply with the state-mandated filing deadlines, getting started early provides more time to build a strong case. For example, it can allow your legal team to conduct timely interviews while the events of the pregnancy, labor, and delivery are still fresh in everyone’s memory.
Recovering Damages After a Birth Injury
Understanding and calculating the damages your family might be entitled to can be another challenging aspect of medical malpractice cases. Your babies may have different medical needs and expenses in the future that you will want to account for. The basic damages that may be available in this type of case include:
- Income losses the parents suffered
- Past, current, and future medical expenses
- Pain and suffering for the family
Your legal team can assist you in compiling your bills, projecting the cost of future medical care and income loss, and assigning value to intangible damages like pain, suffering, inconvenience, and mental and emotional trauma. Involving your legal team can help you make sure your lawsuit is not undervalued or underpaid.
Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome May Have Serious Consequences
TTTS may have negative consequences for both babies. Because the donor twin receives less blood than its sibling, the baby may experience:
- Decreased urine output
- Compromised heart health
- Continual loss of blood volume
- Decreased levels of amniotic fluid
- Likelihood of amniotic fluid ingestion
Conversely, the recipient twin receives excessive amounts of blood in utero and may have adverse consequences that include:
- Heart health dysfunction
- Increased urine production
- Increased risk of heart failure
- Excessive levels of amniotic fluid
- Dangerously elevated blood volume
Both twins may face an increased risk of fatality overall. If your babies experience any of these health challenges and require costly medical intervention, a birth injury lawyer may help you explore your options for financial compensation.
Determining Financial Liability for TTTS Complications
If inadequate prenatal care, failure to diagnose and treat TTTS during pregnancy, or related factors contributed to your baby’s current medical condition, you could pursue a medical malpractice lawsuit. Based on neglect, medical malpractice means one or more members of your health care team:
- Failed to provide the accepted standard of medical care
- Caused injury to you or your babies that led to financial hardships and other damages
Because the medical team who oversaw the pregnancy and birth may consist of many people, it might be difficult to determine exactly where to assign liability on your own. A birth injury lawyer could help you identify the liable party and build a solid compensation lawsuit.
Get Help from a Birth Injury Lawyer Today
Though there is likely no way your babies’ twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome could have been prevented, your care providers should have taken steps to prevent further complications or birth injuries.
If you did not receive the necessary care, you might be entitled to monetary compensation. The client care team at the Birth Injury Lawyers Group can help you fight for your children and your family. Call (800) 222-9529 for a free case review today.