Maryland Attorney for Caput Succedaneum

Caput succedaneum is a condition that causes your child’s scalp to swell. This condition is typically noticeable during your pregnancy or immediately following the birth of your baby. In many instances, caput succedaneum is caused by the negligence of your medical providers.

Rice, Murtha & Psoras represents Maryland parents whose children were born with caput succedaneum. Our Maryland birth injury attorneys for infants with caput succedaneum have the experience and resources to handle complex litigation arising from birth injuries. We are dedicated to providing parents with professional and sympathetic legal assistance. Call (410) 694-7291 to schedule a free consultation.

Common Causes of Caput Succedaneum in Infants in Maryland

During pregnancy, a developing child’s head is supported in their mother’s womb by several membranes. the amniotic fluid in the womb provides an additional cushion of protection. When the membranes are broken, or the amniotic fluid decreases, the child’s head could be pressed against the uterus or birth canal. Caput succedaneum occurs when the pressure against the baby’s head results in bruising or swelling.

Caput succedaneum often occurs during the final weeks of pregnancy or is the result of a difficult delivery.

When a mother’s water breaks too early, it results in a significant loss of amniotic fluid to protect the child’s head during birth. This condition is a common reason caput succedaneum develops before the child is delivered. it is essential for a doctor to be aware of the level of amniotic fluid and whether the protective membranes are still in place.

Caput succedaneum is also a potential danger during a cesarean section. If performed negligently, the baby’s head could be bruised if the protective fluid is lost.

During a difficult delivery, an obstetrician will often use surgical instruments to assist with the birth. the risk of developing caput succedaneum increases if a medical professional uses a vacuum extractor. Another common reason an infant’s head is injured during delivery is due to the use of forceps to help guide a child through the birth canal. When doctors apply excessive force or fail to exercise reasonable care, a child could suffer a devastating head injury.

Complications of Caput Succedaneum in Maryland Infants

The bruising or scalp injury a child suffers is often just a minor issue. However, when a medical professional fails to monitor the infant’s bilirubin levels when it is known that caput succedaneum occurred, much more devastating consequences are likely. Failing to treat complications from caput succedaneum could result in deafness or cerebral palsy.

Another condition that could develop if there is too much bilirubin in the blood is jaundice. An infant that is suffering from jaundice will exhibit yellowing of the skin. Often, this condition will clear up in a few weeks without medical intervention. However, when it does not, and it goes untreated, more serious and life-threatening complications could arise.

A form of alopecia known as halo scalp ring is another complication that could develop if caput succedaneum is not correctly treated. This condition is the result of tissue necrosis caused by pressure against the cervical ring during the delivery. Halo scalp ring will cause a child’s hair to fall out, sometimes resulting in permanent baldness and scarring.

Medical treatment and care for any of these conditions can be costly. You should not be required to bear the financial obligation if your child was the victim of medical negligence. If you believe your child’s hearing impairment or developmental issues are the result of medical malpractice, contact our Maryland birth injury attorney for caput succedaneum to discuss your legal options.

Suing for Birth Injuries Caused by Caput Succedaneum in Maryland

To hold a medical professional responsible for a birth injury, our Maryland attorney will have to prove that their conduct was negligent. Proving negligence typically requires showing that a doctor or hospital deviated from the standard of medical care a mother or child should reasonably expect to receive under the given circumstances. This standard is usually defined as what a prudent and similarly trained medical professional would have done in the same situation. Our law office will turn to medical experts to determine what course of action should have been taken.

If your doctor failed to treat or diagnose a membrane rupture during your pregnancy, they could have acted negligently. Other examples of potentially negligent conduct include allowing an abnormally long delivery to continue without medical intervention, using excessive force when assisting with a difficult birth, or failing to recognize and treat symptoms of jaundice or other medical complications resulting from caput succedaneum.

If your child was the victim of negligence on the part of your healthcare provider or hospital, you could be entitled to damages through a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Compensation could include recovering for medical expenses, lost wages, and any costs associated with the treatment and care of your child. Depending on the severity of the birth injury, your child might require expensive medical care and therapy for years or a lifetime. You should not be responsible for paying for these costs if your child’s condition was the result of negligent conduct or decisions.

Call Our Maryland Attorney for Caput Succedaneum for a Free Consultation

Experiencing pregnancy and the birth of your child should be a magical event. Unfortunately, complications and birth injuries could occur. One such condition is caput succedaneum. If undiagnosed or untreated, the medical consequences your baby suffers could be catastrophic. Our Maryland attorney for caput succedaneum believes that medical professionals should be held accountable when their decisions or actions result in harm. If your child suffered any complications from caput succedaneum, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291 to review your legal options.