Suing a Medical Facility or Doctor for an Infant’s Death
Few things in life are as tragic and heart wrenching as the death of a newborn baby. If you or a loved one suffered the death of an infant recently, you may be evaluating your options. When an infant’s death is caused or contributed to by medical negligence, the parents may be able to sue the doctor, nurse, or medical facility that caused the untimely death.
Liability for a Baby’s Death
Sometimes, the death of a newborn is unavoidable. The baby may have been born with a genetic condition or another health ailment that made him or her unable to survive outside the womb. However, some infant deaths are directly caused by negligent medical care.
Wrongful death of an infant may be caused by:
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Birth injuries during labor and delivery such as asphyxia, failure to order a C-section, or negligent use of vacuum extraction
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Medication errors including giving the baby too much medication or the wrong medication
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Misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose a medical condition like hemorrhage or respiratory distress syndrome
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Failure to appropriately treat injuries caused by birth trauma
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Surgical errors during a C-section
Damages in an Illinois Wrongful Death Claim
A wrongful death claim cannot negate the tragedy of losing a baby. However, bringing a claim against the at-fault party may provide the parents with a sense of justice. Holding the liable party accountable may also prevent similar mistakes from occurring in the future. A wrongful death claim may also allow for the recovery of monetary damages.
Parents of a deceased infant may be entitled to financial compensation for:
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Hospital bills and other medical expenses
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Funeral and burial costs
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Lost income from the time the parents had to take off work
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Pain and suffering
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Emotional trauma
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Loss of companionship
Contact a Joliet Infant Wrongful Death Lawyer
The preventable loss of a child is one of the most devastating things a parent can go through. If your baby passed away due to the negligent actions of a doctor, nurse, pharmacy, hospital, or another party, contact Schwartz Injury Law to evaluate your legal options. You may be able to seek justice for your baby and hold the at-fault party accountable. You may also be eligible for compensation for medical bills and other expenses.
At Schwartz Injury Law, our experienced Cook County medical malpractice attorneys understand the devastation that a child’s death brings to a family. We provide our clients with personalized, compassionate guidance and aggressive legal advocacy. Call us today at 708-888-2160 for a free consultation.
Source:
https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2059&ChapterID=57