Questions?What Are Kernicterus Compensation Claims?
Kernicterus compensation claims help families secure money when medical negligence caused or worsened their baby’s condition.
Medical malpractice lawsuits like these help families seek financial compensation for damages such as medical expenses, therapy, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Kernicterus is a neurological condition caused by untreated jaundice, leading to permanent brain damage and conditions like cerebral palsy (CP). It occurs when dangerously high levels of bilirubin (pigment found in red blood cells) build up in a baby’s blood.
The resulting lifelong care needs can place an unexpected financial burden on families. Filing kernicterus compensation claims can help recover these costs while holding negligent medical professionals accountable.
The Birth Injury Justice Center has partnered with lawyers who can help families in all 50 states. Our legal partners have secured over $1 billion for families affected by kernicterus and other birth injuries.
Find out if we can help your family — get a free case review now.
How Much Are Kernicterus Compensation Claims Worth?
The value of kernicterus compensation claims can vary based on the severity of the baby’s injury and how much care they may need in the future.
In cases of severe harm or when medical errors are extreme, multimillion-dollar kernicterus lawsuit settlements or verdicts may be awarded.
- $10 million in California for a baby receiving the wrong discharge instructions
- $5.85 million in Michigan on behalf of a premature baby for mismanaged conditions
- $3 million for a delayed kernicterus diagnosis resulting in severe cerebral palsy
- $2 million for untreated jaundice causing hearing loss and developmental delays
- $1.5 million after delayed blood tests and no phototherapy caused kernicterus
- $3.2 million for brain damage from a hospital failing to monitor bilirubin levels
- $5.5 million settlement for a child who developed CP due to untreated jaundice
- $7 million awarded after doctors failed to treat a newborn’s severe jaundice
- $8.5 million in New York for untreated jaundice leading to cerebral palsy
If your child suffered complications from kernicterus, your family may be eligible for compensation, too.
A birth injury lawyer can review the facts of your claim for kernicterus birth injury and fight for the compensation you need to pay for lifetime care.
Call the Birth Injury Justice Center right now at (800) 914-1562 or Click to Live Chat to see if a top birth injury lawyer may be able to file a claim for kernicterus birth injury for you.
Kernicterus Compensation Claims and Medical Malpractice
Doctors and nurses are trained to recognize and treat newborn jaundice before it progresses to kernicterus. When they fail to do so, their negligence may be considered medical malpractice.
- Delaying or mismanaging jaundice treatment, such as not using phototherapy or exchange transfusions (replacing a newborn’s blood with donor blood)
- Failing to monitor bilirubin levels, which can lead to dangerously high levels and brain damage
- Ignoring signs of severe jaundice, like yellowing of the skin and eyes, poor feeding, lethargy, and high-pitched crying
- Misdiagnosing or dismissing kernicterus symptoms, allowing the condition to worsen and cause permanent harm
- Neglecting to test high-risk newborns, including premature babies or those with blood type incompatibility
- Withholding necessary treatment for blood type incompatibility, leading to hemolysis (breakdown of red blood cells) and excessive bilirubin buildup
If kernicterus is not diagnosed and treated quickly, it can cause brain damage like cerebral palsy. This may require children to undergo expensive therapies, surgeries, and more. Parents may miss time from work as they get their child the care they need.
If your baby’s complications could have been prevented, you may be able to seek compensation through a claim for kernicterus birth injury to lessen the financial burden.
Who Can File Kernicterus Compensation Claims?
Families may seek compensation if medical negligence allowed severe jaundice to go untreated, causing brain damage or other harm.
Here’s who may be eligible to file kernicterus compensation claims:
- Parents: The child’s primary caregivers who have been directly impacted
- Legal guardians: Individuals with legal responsibility for the child
Kernicterus can cause lifelong complications, including brain damage, hearing loss, and movement disorders like cerebral palsy. Some effects may not become noticeable until months or years after birth.
You don’t need an official diagnosis to seek legal advice. Our team can help determine if you may qualify to seek compensation from kernicterus compensation claims.
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Steps to Filing Kernicterus Compensation Claims
Filing kernicterus compensation claims involves several key steps. A lawyer can handle all of the legal work, so you can focus on your child’s care and future.
- Free case review: Top birth injury law firms offer free legal consultations to determine if you may have a case. Get your free case review right now.
- Collect evidence: Your legal team will gather evidence, like medical records, witness testimony, and expert opinions, to build a strong claim for kernicterus birth injury.
- File the kernicterus lawsuit: Your attorney will file a birth injury lawsuit in the proper court and ensure any legal deadlines are met.
- Negotiate a settlement: Your lawyer will work to secure a kernicterus settlement, so you get financial compensation as quickly as possible.
If your kernicterus lawsuit doesn’t settle, your legal team will be prepared to fight for your family in court with the goal of securing compensation from a trial verdict.
However, most birth injury lawsuits result in settlements, allowing families to secure compensation without ever stepping foot in a courtroom.
Factors That Affect Kernicterus Compensation Claims
Several factors may impact the amount of compensation families receive from kernicterus compensation claims.
For example, when complications are severe and lead to long-term harm, compensation from kernicterus compensation claims can provide life-changing financial support.
- Degree of medical malpractice involved
- Expenses for birth injury treatments
- Pain and suffering your family has endured
- Severity and long-term impact of kernicterus
Local regulations may also impact the amount of compensation from kernicterus compensation claims you may receive, since laws vary by state.
The Birth Injury Justice Center works with skilled attorneys who can calculate your child’s lifetime care costs and pursue the compensation for kernicterus compensation claims your family deserves.
Get a free case review to see if you may qualify.
When to File Kernicterus Compensation Claims
Families should consider filing a claim for kernicterus birth injury as soon as they suspect their child’s condition could have been prevented.
Acting without delay is important due to the statute of limitations, a deadline that limits the amount of time you have to take legal action. Once this window of opportunity passes, you won’t be able to file a claim for kernicterus birth injury again.
Each state has its own deadlines for filing birth injury cases, so it’s essential to get help from an attorney who knows the laws in your state. Our legal partners can help families in all 50 states.
Call us right now at (800) 914-1562 — while there’s still time.
Get Help Filing Your Claim for Kernicterus Birth Injury
Your family shouldn’t have to face the emotional and financial burden of your child’s preventable birth injury alone.
Compensation from a claim for kernicterus birth injury can help cover medical treatments, ongoing care, and other necessary expenses, allowing you to focus on your child.
We work with top lawyers who help hold negligent health care providers accountable. Our skilled legal partners can help families nationwide, no matter where you live.
Our partner law firms have secured more than $1 billion for families affected by preventable birth injuries, and they may be able to help your family, too.
Call us at (800) 914-1562 right now or fill out our case review form to see if we may be able to help you seek compensation.
Kernicterus Compensation Claims FAQs
Is kernicterus a disability?
Yes, kernicterus can cause permanent disabilities. It results from untreated severe jaundice, leading to brain damage that may cause movement disorders, hearing and vision problems, and developmental delays.
The severity of disability depends on how much damage occurred and how early treatment was given.
What is the primary long-term concern regarding kernicterus?
The primary long-term concern regarding kernicterus is permanent brain damage. Early detection and treatment of severe jaundice are crucial to preventing these complications.
How do you get compensation for a kernicterus birth injury?
By filing a kernicterus claim with the help of a medical malpractice lawyer, families can receive compensation for medical bills, therapy, and other expenses.
Call us at (800) 914-1562 right now to see if our team may be able to assist you.
How much can you get from a kernicterus lawsuit?
Settlements for birth injury cases, including untreated jaundice causing kernicterus, often exceed $1 million.
However, the compensation from a kernicterus lawsuit depends on factors like the severity of the injuries, the cost of ongoing medical care, and the long-term impact on your child’s life.
An experienced birth injury lawyer can evaluate your case to determine potential compensation. They will work to recover the maximum amount allowed by law, covering medical expenses, therapy, lost wages, and other damages.
Get a free case review to find out how much your claim for kernicterus birth injury may be worth.
How are kernicterus settlement amounts determined?
Settlements depend on factors like the severity of the injury, the level of medical negligence, and the long-term impact on the child’s life.
When you get a free consultation with a birth injury attorney, they can estimate the value of your case based on the damages caused by kernicterus and its associated effects.
Call us now at (800) 914-1562 or Click to Live Chat to see if we can connect you.
How much does it cost to file a kernicterus claim?
Most birth injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs, and they only get paid if you receive compensation. If they win your claim for kernicterus birth injury, legal fees will be deducted from your lawsuit payout.
