Louisville Kernicterus Attorneys

Was your child diagnosed with kernicterus? Serving all of Kentucky since 1986, our team of Louisville birth injury attorneys are here to help you seek justice. If your child’s condition could have been prevented by medical professionals, it is our goal to determine what went wrong and help you recover fair compensation for medical treatment, ongoing therapy, and lifelong care. Our medical malpractice lawyers in Louisville specialize in birth injury lawsuits and kernicterus cases and have the experience and skill to represent you.

At Dolt, Thompson, Shepherd & Conway, PSC, our attorneys fight for the rights of those who have been wrongly injured due to negligence or malpractice. Our skilled kernicterus attorneys in Louisville are committed to providing personalized legal services and seeking maximum compensation for each client case.

Call (502) 244-7772 or contact us online for a free consultation and find out how we can help you.

What is Kernicterus?

Kernicterus is a type of brain damage that can occur in infants with untreated severe jaundice. Jaundice is a common condition that affects approximately 60% of newborns, characterized by a yellowish tint to the skin and the whites of the eyes. It occurs when high levels of the chemical bilirubin build up in a baby’s blood. Most cases of jaundice resolve with minor remedies such as increased feedings, but in more severe cases phototherapy (light therapy) or other treatment in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) may be required.

Kernicterus is both rare and preventable. No infant with access to medical care should develop brain damage as a result of untreated jaundice. Unfortunately, cases of kernicterus still occur. In the United States, an estimated 1 in 40,000 newborns experience acute kernicterus. It is important to expose the medical errors and negligence that are responsible.

Symptoms of Severe Jaundice

The following may be symptoms of severe jaundice:

• A very yellow or orange tint in the abdomen, limbs, eyes, and face
• Difficulty feeding
• Irritability
• Difficulty sleeping or waking
• Dark urine
• Pale stool

As mentioned, prevention is the only way to avoid kernicterus, and this is done by recognizing the signs of jaundice and treating it properly and in a timely manner.

Effects of Kernicterus

If a doctor, nurse, or other medical professional fails to properly diagnose and treat severe jaundice, leading to kernicterus, this can have disastrous consequences. It can lead to cerebral palsy, hearing loss, vision problems, and intellectual disabilities. Our Louisville birth injury lawyers specialize in kernicterus cases and believe in holding negligent healthcare professionals accountable. Our team of compassionate lawyers are ready to fight for you and your child.

Contact us online or at (502) 244-7772 to learn more about the ways we can help you pursue complete compensation for your child’s care – for life.