When you give birth to your child, you’re trusting the team at the hospital to care for them properly and reduce the risk of birth injuries in the first place. Unfortunately, accidents can happen, and when they do, the medical care team often relies on sending your child to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for treatment. There are many reasons for doctors to send your child to the NICU and birth injuries are just one of them. Here’s what your Pennsylvania birth injury attorney wants you to do if your child is rushed to the NICU so you can figure out the best next steps.
What Is a Birth Injury?
A birth injury is an injury that you or your child suffers during birth. Many of these injuries are minor and result from the birth position or other natural complications. But some of these injuries can result from the actions of the medical care team. Regardless of the cause, prompt treatment of any birth injury is essential. This is why many doctors rush newborns to the NICU if they suspect that anything is out of the ordinary, whether the condition is the result of a birth injury or not.
What to Do if Your Doctor Rushes Your Child to the NICU
Remember, just because your child is going to the NICU doesn’t mean there’s a birth injury. Your doctor may be acting out of an abundance of caution to help your child get the care they need. However, that doesn’t make it any less alarming. Here are a few key steps your Pennsylvania birth injury attorney wants you to take if your doctor rushes your child to the NICU.
Ask for an Explanation
You’re entitled to know what’s going on with your child at all times, especially if the medical care team removes them from your room. Don’t hesitate to ask for an explanation. If the doctor isn’t available or is transporting your child to the NICU, ask the nurses involved for more information. If they don’t provide you with adequate information quickly, contact the hospital’s patient advocate and get them to help. Often, advocates can find out information faster.
Document What You Can Remember
Birth injuries can be serious and life-altering. If you believe your doctor is taking your child to the NICU because of a preventable birth injury, document everything you can remember about the birth as soon as possible. If you have your cell phone handy, you can use it to get a physical record by recording anything the doctors may have said that could indicate their responsibility for the injuries, and any other information you think may be valuable should you need to sue the hospital and the medical care team. The sooner you can do this, the better.
If you’re not able to document any descriptions, ask someone who witnessed the birth to do it for you. This could be a close friend, spouse, or family member. Their description can help back up your claims if you need to speak with an attorney.
Contact a Pennsylvania Birth Injury Attorney
If you believe your child was taken to the NICU because of a preventable birth injury, be prepared to reach out to a birth injury attorney. Provide them with as much information as you can about the birth, your child’s health, the actions the medical care team took leading up to and during delivery, and any other information they request. They’ll help you determine if you’re eligible to file a lawsuit to help cover the cost of your child’s recovery and future expenses related to the injury.
Let Latona Law Help
Birth injuries can range from minor to severe, and while the NICU is uniquely equipped to treat a variety of conditions newborns may face, you may be able to sue for damages if your doctor caused the injury or condition your child is suffering from. At Latona Law, our experienced Pennsylvania birth injury attorneys are here to help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your rights.