New Jersey Premature Birth Injury Attorneys
Lawyers for Preterm Birth Negligence in NJ
A baby is considered premature or preterm if they are born more than 3 weeks early, meaning before the 37th week of pregnancy has been completed. The usual period of gestation is 40 weeks, which is considered full term. Believe it or not, the last 3 weeks of pregnancy are extremely important to an infant’s development and overall health. In fact, babies delivered prematurely are at increased risk for complications and birth injury. Approximately 12.5 percent, or 1 in every 8 babies is born preterm in the U.S., amounting to over 500,000 premature births each year.
Among infants born premature, some are perfectly healthy. However, others suffer serious injuries and permanent medical issues. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, premature birth and low birth weight accounted for approximately 17 percent of newborn deaths in the U.S. in 2015. Due to the risks associated with preterm birth, doctors must attempt to prevent early labor whenever possible. In cases where premature birth is inevitable, physicians must proceed with extreme caution to avoid serious harm to the child during and after labor and delivery.
If a doctor failed to recognize your risk factors for premature labor or mishandled your delivery and your child suffered an injury during preterm birth, you should speak with an experienced birth injury attorney about your potential grounds for a lawsuit. Our New Jersey birth injury lawyers have assisted countless clients throughout the tri-state area with claims against negligent obstetricians, hospitals, and other medical professionals who fail to provide adequate prenatal or neonatal care. Contact us today at (866)-708-8617 or online for a free consultation with a knowledgeable birth injury attorney who can explain your rights.
Recognizing Risk Factors for Premature Birth
There are many situations and conditions that place a mother and baby at increased risk for premature delivery. It is the doctor’s job to identify risk factors for preterm birth and to take appropriate measures to lessen this risk. Some of the signs that a woman may be more at risk for early labor and delivery are as follows:
- Prior premature birth
- Prior miscarriage
- Carrying twins, triplets, or multiples
- Preeclampsia: hypertension, also known as high blood pressure
- Gestational diabetes
- Obesity
- Underweight or anorexia
- Maternal infection
- Alcohol, drug, or nicotine use
- Cervical issues
Preterm Birth Injuries and Complications
If a baby is born prematurely, he or she may suffer from any of the following complications and conditions:
- Low birth weight
- Jaundice
- Trouble breathing
- Hearing or vision impairments
- Retinopathy of Prematurity
- Poor feeding
- Digestive issues
- Cerebral Palsy
- Developmental delays
- Brain bleeding (hemorrhage)
- Death
Premature Births and Medical Malpractice
If a mother has any of the above risk factors or experiences symptoms of preterm labor, it is the physician’s responsibility to identify these and take immediate action. Some of the signs that a mother may experience early labor include back pain, pelvic pressure, unusual vaginal discharge, cramping, and contractions. Your doctor should monitor your health throughout pregnancy to ensure an otherwise preventable injury or condition does not befall your child. If you and your baby are at risk for premature birth, your doctor may prescribe medication and order you to remain on bed rest or to avoid intercourse until the baby is closer to full term. If a doctor fails to provide acceptable prenatal care or fails to address complications before or during childbirth, they may be found negligent.
Contact a NJ Preterm Birth Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Child’s Case
If your baby was premature and suffered an injury during birth, it is imperative to learn more about your legal options. You may have grounds to pursue compensation for your child’s long-term needs. Our experienced birth injury lawyers represent victims of premature and preterm birth injuries throughout New Jersey. To talk with an attorney about your child’s specific case and find out if you may have a viable claim, contact us anytime at (866)-708-8617 or online for a free consultation.
With offices in Newark, New Jersey and New York City, we serve clients throughout the tri-state area. We also consult on premature birth injury cases across the United States.
Resources:
Preterm Birth, United States CDC
Preterm (Premature) Labor and Birth, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
