A child’s cerebral palsy, hearing loss, and kernicterus (a neurological disorder) were all caused by the negligence of the hospital where the child was born, according to the child’s guardian ad litem, who filed a birth injury lawsuit against the hospital, Sutter West Bay Hospital, on November 16, 2012, in the Superior Court of San Francisco County, California.

Symptoms of jaundice ignored, lawsuit alleges

The complaint states that the child was born on September 5, 2008 at Sutter West Bay Hospital, and that the medical staff did not respond to the newborn’s symptoms of jaundice in a timely manner. The complaint further alleges that had the proper blood tests and liver function tests been performed in a timely manner, and the appropriate medical intervention taken, the child’s injuries would have been avoided.

Instead, because of the hospital’s alleged negligence, the child suffered hyperbilirubinemia (elevated bilirubin levels), which resulted in birth injuries including cerebral palsy, hearing loss, and the neurological disorder kernicterus, which causes stiff muscles, seizures, cognitive impairment, and speech difficulties. The lawsuit seeks to hold the hospital responsible for the child’s birth injury resulting from medical malpractice.

Medical negligence and litigation

Having a baby should be the most joyous time in a parent’s life. Parents trust the hospital and medical team to deliver their baby safely, adhering to the highest standards of care. When a baby is injured because of the negligence of a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional, those responsible must be held accountable. Juries around the country have awarded multi-million dollar financial settlements as compensation for birth injuries, enabling parents to provide the medical care and treatments their child needs.

If your child suffered a birth injury such as cerebral palsy because of mistakes made by medical professionals during labor or delivery, call Balkin & Eisbrouch for a free consultation to determine if you may be eligible for a financial settlement. Our team of attorneys have more than 40 years of experience in handling birth injury and malpractice lawsuits. We are committed to seeking justice for children who have suffered birth injuries caused by medical negligence. The consultation is free, and if you do proceed with a lawsuit, there is no cost to you unless we win you a settlement.