Many parents rely on the Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) of Baltimore hospitals after giving birth. This section of a hospital shoulders some of the most important responsibilities of the entire facility, and the actions (or inactions) of NICU doctors often determine whether infants live or die. If you believe your infant suffered harm at the NICU, legal action could be possible. To learn more about your options, speak with our experienced Baltimore NICU malpractice lawyer today.
How Can a NICU Malpractice Lawyer Help?
A NICU Malpractice lawyer may provide numerous services and benefits, including:
- Providing legal advice during initial consultations
- Investigating NICU errors
- Examining medical records
- Consulting independent medical experts
- Questioning witnesses and defendants
- Gaining access to important documents
- Negotiating with insurers for settlements
- Representing you in court if necessary
- Filing appeals if necessary
What Are Some Common NICU Mistakes?
NICU doctors are often responsible and professional. However, there are always a few exceptions. Doctors may make various mistakes while working at NICUs, and here are just a few examples:
- Negligent breathing assistance
- Improper treatment of hemorrhages
- Allowing preventable infections
- Improper treatment of seizures
- Incorrect medication dosages
- Incorrect medication intervals
How Do I Prove Negligence in a NICU Malpractice Lawsuit?
You can rely on your lawyer to prove negligence in an NICU malpractice lawsuit. In a civil case, you must show a “preponderance of evidence” to establish that someone else caused your infant’s injury or death. In other words, your evidence must show that there’s at least a 50% chance of negligence.
Negligence has a number of “elements.” You need to show that all of these elements exist if you want to pursue justice for the NICU malpractice. One element is “duty of care,” while another is “breach of duty.” These two elements essentially involve a doctor’s legal and ethical responsibility to keep your infant safe. You also need to show that they committed some kind of mistake that led directly to your child’s injuries. Finally, you need to prove that these injuries are legitimate.
Your lawyer can prove negligence with a number of strategies. They might call upon a medical expert to testify on your behalf. This expert might explain that the doctors violated proper protocol – and that they should have acted differently. They might also point to medical records that show signs of negligence – such as incorrect medications or breathing machine error reports.
Is It Worth Filing a NICU Malpractice Lawsuit?
A NICU malpractice lawsuit can provide your family with compensation for medical expenses, missed wages, and perhaps funeral costs. You may also receive compensation for non-economic damages, such as emotional distress, depression, and anxiety. This compensation can be critical as you recover both financially and psychologically from the NICU malpractice.
Contact Furman Honick Law Today
A NICU malpractice lawsuit can’t undo the harm your family has already endured – but it may provide justice, closure, and much-needed compensation. You shouldn’t have to pay for the harm NICU doctors have caused – both on a psychological and financial level. To take your first steps toward a medical malpractice lawsuit, contact Furman Honick Law today. Our experienced Baltimore NICU malpractice lawyer can help.