What are Caput Succedaneum and Cephalohematoma
Hawaii Infant Cephalohematoma Attorney
As expecting parents, you worry about everything that could go wrong when a baby is born, from major catastrophes like death at birth to potentially minor concerns like a baby’s deformed head. The reality is that many non-threatening conditions are present at birth, despite the wishes of all parents for their children to be healthy and perfect right out of the birth canal. Some birth injuries are distressing but are not life-threatening, while others are concerning and demand medical attention. And you may be wondering, what are caput succedaneum and cephalohematoma?
Swollen newborn scalps are a symptom of two mild conditions: caput succedaneum and cephalohematoma. Even though these two conditions are generally less severe, if mistakes are made, they could result in your child’s death or a lifelong disability.
Knowing that there are legal remedies available for your baby’s injuries brought on by improperly handled caput succedaneum or cephalohematoma may help you feel better. Contact our Hawaii infant cephalohematoma attorney to discuss your rights and legal options.
Why do I need a Caput Succedaneum and Cephalohematoma Attorney in Hawaii?
Caput succedaneum and cephalohematoma birth injuries can be avoided. If doctors carefully monitor both the pregnancy and the labor and delivery, they would be able to identify potential issues and direct, immediate action to prevent a birth injury. It would eliminate the need for vacuum extraction tools and forceps, two of the most common factors in developing infant caput succedaneums and cephalohematomas.
Talking about the specifics of your situation with a birth injury lawyer in Hawaii is the best way to determine whether or not you have a case for a caput succedaneum and cephalohematoma birth injury lawsuit. A Hawaii birth injury attorney can shed light on the following:
- Your legal entitlement to seek damage claims
- Your legal options
- The persuasive power of your argument
- The various kinds of losses that you might be able to get compensation for
- The Hawaii birth injuries laws
- All statutes of limitations relevant to your claim
If your birth injury lawyer believes that your doctor acted carelessly and caused your newborn’s injuries or failed to prevent them, they may be able to assist you in pursuing fair compensation for your case. You may choose to pursue an out-of-court settlement negotiation or may choose to file a personal injury lawsuit on behalf of your baby.
What are Caput Succedaneum and Cephalohematoma?
Caput succedaneum and cephalohematoma are both head injuries caused by acute trauma that typically occur during birth. Both of these conditions necessitate postnatal examinations and extended observation to ensure that a more serious problem has not developed. A baby is more likely to develop caput succedaneum or cephalohematoma if medical devices such as vacuums or forceps are used during extraction. Moreover, both conditions are caused by excessive pressure on the fetal head, which results in either swelling or blood pooling.
Caput Succedaneum
The swelling of an infant’s scalp during pregnancy or soon after birth is known as caput succedaneum. The membrane and amniotic fluid in the mother’s womb support and protect the baby’s head. When there is insufficient amniotic fluid or the membrane ruptures, leaving the baby’s head unsupported, caput succedaneum occurs. The mother’s internal walls may then be pushed up against the baby’s head, which frequently causes swelling and bruising.
An infant with caput succedaneum typically needs to be monitored by a medical professional to make sure no additional problems have arisen. The scalp’s swelling and bruising typically subside in a few days.
Caput succedaneum typically occurs if:
- Vaginal delivery by use of forceps
- Vaginal delivery by use of vacuum extraction
- Rupture of membranes
- Prolonged labor
- Abnormal fetal position
- Low amniotic fluid levels
- Sporadic contractions (also known as Braxton-Hicks contractions)
Cephalohematoma
Newborn cephalohematoma occurs when a baby experiences bleeding under the scalp. Typically, this is a sign of a long and difficult labor in which the infant’s head was subjected to excessive pressure, resulting in a severe head injury. The blood pooling is caused by ruptured blood vessels in the baby’s head as a result of head trauma. The pooling of blood in the infant’s head is contained between the skull and periosteum, or the membrane that encases the bones.
First-born infants are the most likely to be diagnosed with cephalohematoma. The following are some examples of potential risk factors:
- Delivery by use of vacuum extraction
- Delivery by use of forceps
- Fetal macrosomia (a baby who is much larger than average)
- Prolonged labor
- Fetal distress
- Abnormal fetal position
- Weak uterine contractions
- Multiple fetuses
If you believe that your child’s head injury was caused by a doctor’s negligence during delivery, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact a Hawaii infant cephalohematoma attorney today for more information.
Differences Between Cephalohematoma Vs. Caput Succedaneum
Caput succedaneum, like cephalohematoma, causes unusual bumps or swelling on the fetal head. The main distinction is that lumps caused by bleeding under the scalp are called cephalohematomas, whereas lumps caused by scalp swelling due to pressure are called caput succedaneums.
It’s critical to understand that while neither cephalohematoma nor caput succedaneum is usually serious, they can lead to other complications like jaundice and infections if not treated properly. Attempting to drain excess fluid from a baby’s scalp can result in infection.
Symptoms of Caput Succedaneum and Cephalohematoma
Cephalohematoma does not typically present with obvious symptoms. However, it is important to take into consideration the possibility of cephalohematoma if the infant has any of the following:
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
- Anemia or low red blood cell counts
- Bruising on the newborn baby’s skull or skull fracture
- An infection
Caput succedaneum is frequently identified in the early hours following birth and goes away in a few days. The following can help identify caput succedaneum:
- Puffiness or swelling of the scalp
- Bruising of the scalp (in some cases, facial bruising may be present)
- Bumps on the scalp
- Hair loss
- Scarring
Caput Succedaneum, Cephalohematoma & Medical Negligence
Medical malpractice may be to blame if the infant’s diagnosis of caput succedaneum or cephalohematoma led to a serious injury. There are a few negligent behaviors to watch out for that could significantly increase the risk of harming a child.
- Failure to recognize and handle a pregnancy-related membrane rupture
- Failure to step in during a laborious, prolonged delivery
- Using extraordinary force to extract the baby
- Failure to identify and treat infant jaundice
If the medical professional had given their patient skilled and competent care, all of the aforementioned mistakes would have been avoidable and should have been identified and treated. Speak to a Hawaii personal injury attorney from SRB Hawaii Law right away to assist you in defining the liability of all parties involved in your baby’s injuries.
Proving Medical Negligence
Medical mistakes and negligence can lead to newborn birth injuries such as caput succedaneum and cephalohematoma. And when they do, family members have the right to sue the accountable medical professionals in a civil court. There are four elements of medical negligence that you need to establish to solidify your medical malpractice case.
- Duty of care. The defendant and the plaintiff had a patient-doctor relationship.
- Breach of duty. The medical professional failed to provide standard care and appropriate treatment.
- Causation. The doctor’s negligence led to the infant’s injuries, which was a violation of their duty of care.
- Damages. The infant’s wounds cost the family money in actual damages.
A Hawaii infant caput succedaneum attorney can help you gather evidence to prove that your healthcare provider’s negligence caused injuries to your baby.
Damages in a Caput Succedaneum and Cephalohematoma Birth Injury Lawsuit
Healthcare professionals may be held liable for both economic and non-economic compensatory damages. Reimbursement for financial outlays incurred as a result of your child’s medical expenses is known as economic damages. You can request the following financial damages in a malpractice claim:
- Medical expenses
- Future healthcare costs (such as surgeries and rehabilitation)
- Invalidity expenses
- Specialty instruction
- Lost income on behalf of the parents
- Wrongful death
Non-economic compensation is given to victims in order to lessen their physical, emotional, and psychological suffering. In a medical malpractice case, non-economic damages may be recovered, including
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental suffering
- Psychological trauma
- Loss of quality of life
You must demonstrate that the negligent actions of the accountable medical provider led to your child’s injuries. The hospital, doctor, or insurance provider will make an effort to avoid paying you a fair settlement despite the fact that you have a strong case. However, a Hawaii infant cephalohematoma attorney will seek just compensation and ensure that your family receives justice for your medical losses.
Statute of Limitations
A statute of limitations is a deadline by which you must file your birth injury case. Statutes of limitations are put in place to make sure that cases are pursued while the physical evidence is still available and the witness accounts are still recent, and they are brought to court in a timely manner.
The clock typically begins to run as soon as medical negligence or malpractice is committed. Some injuries are discovered right away, while others may not show symptoms for years. When your child is old enough to attend school, you might only then realize that they had a birth injury.
- Birth injury lawsuit filed by the parent or guardian – two years after discovering the act or up to six years after the injury occurred
- Birth injury lawsuit filed by the child (over 10) – six years after the injury or the wrongful act.
- Birth injury lawsuit was filed by the child (under 10) – six years from the injury or the wrongful act or when they reach ten years of age, whichever provides a longer period.
You must follow the statute of limitations in your state when pursuing an infant caput succedaneum and cephalohematoma case. Consult a Hawaii infant caput succedaneum and cephalohematoma attorney to make sure you don’t miss the chance to obtain compensation and justice for your child.
Call our Hawaii Caput Succedaneum and Cephalohematoma Attorney Now!
In every field of medicine, we expect that our doctors and other medical professionals will make decisions that are optimal given the circumstances. The unfortunate reality, however, is that doctors are just as prone to making errors as any other worker.
Birth injuries are difficult cases to handle. Everyone, including the attorneys, finds them to be emotionally and physically taxing. However, they could also be worth a sizable sum of money to children and their families who are in dire need of funding to care for their children.
We are here for you if your child suffered an injury during birth and you are looking for justice and fair compensation. Our birth injury lawyers at SRB Hawaii Law are tenacious and committed advocates. Get in touch with us for a confidential and free case evaluation!
