Kernicterus Diagnosis - When to Call Us

A Kernicterus diagnosis is devastating—this preventable brain injury, caused by untreated severe jaundice, often results from medical negligence. If your child has been diagnosed, you may need legal guidance to secure their future. Here’s when to consult an attorney:

1. Missed or Delayed Jaundice Treatment

• Your newborn’s bilirubin levels were dangerously high, but doctors failed to:

  • Order timely blood tests.

  • Provide phototherapy or exchange transfusions.

  • Warn you about worsening symptoms after discharge.

2. Inadequate Follow-Up Care

• The hospital discharged your baby too early (before 72 hours) without proper jaundice screening.

• Pediatricians dismissed your concerns about yellow skin, poor feeding, or lethargy.

3. Lifelong Disabilities Require Compensation

Kernicterus causes permanent disabilities, including:

• Cerebral palsy (movement disorders).

• Hearing loss or deafness.

• Cognitive impairments.

• Vision problems.

These require lifetime medical care, therapy, and adaptive equipment—costs that a malpractice lawsuit can help cover.

4. Suspected Hospital or Provider Errors

• No bilirubin testing despite risk factors (prematurity, bruising, blood type conflicts).

• Misread lab results or failure to act on critical levels.

• Lack of parental education on jaundice dangers.

Act Quickly—Time Limits Apply

Medical malpractice lawsuits have strict deadlines (as short as 1–3 years in some states). Evidence—like medical records and nurse notes—can disappear.

What an Attorney Can Do

• Investigate if negligence occurred.

• Calculate fair compensation for:

  • Medical bills.

  • Future care costs.

  • Pain and suffering.

• Negotiate with hospitals/insurers or file a lawsuit.

If you suspect Kernicterus resulted from medical failure, consult a birth injury attorney immediately. Most offer free case reviews—you pay only if they win.