Stillbirth is defined as the loss of a child after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Thousands of families are affected by this tragedy every year. Sometimes, stillbirth occurs because of pregnancy complications. In many cases, however, the cause is unknown. Parents may find themselves at a loss for what to do after suffering a stillbirth. It’s important to take the time to care for your emotional health during this difficult time. If you suspect that medical malpractice might have been involved, you could also contact a medical malpractice lawyer.

Preserve the Memories
There is no “right” or “wrong” way to grieve after suffering a stillbirth. However, many parents find that it helps to preserve the memories of their child. You might find that holding your child helps you to grieve in a healthy manner. You could give your child a name and save keepsake items, such as a lock of hair. Some parents choose to take photos. Even if they cannot bear to look at the photographs, parents might find them comforting later on.

Consider Medical Tests
It’s a good idea to have your medical provider run some tests on you and your child. It isn’t always possible to determine the cause of stillbirth; however, these tests may shed some light on what went wrong. In the event that you decide to consult a medical malpractice lawyer and pursue a lawsuit should the stillbirth be due to medical negligence, these tests may also provide crucial evidence. The medical tests that may be helpful after a stillbirth include blood tests, tests to check for infections, genetic tests, thyroid function tests, and an examination of the umbilical cord and placenta.

The medical negligence lawyers at Pegalis & Erickson, LLC would like to extend our deepest sympathies to parents who have experienced the devastating tragedy of losing a child. If you would like to explore your legal options after a stillbirth near Long Island, New York, you can call us at (516) 684-2900. Our personal injury lawyers would like to help your family find the closure you need to move forward.

November is Family Caregiver Month and we recognize that your caregiving takes a lot of hard work and dedication; we are sharing information about how a medical malpractice lawyer can help you seek compensation for medical errors that have seriously affected you or a loved one.

Before you retain the services of a medical malpractice lawyer, you’ll have an initial consultation or case review. This is a chance for the lawyer to become familiar with the basic facts of your case and for you to ask any questions you may have. Some questions you may wish to ask the medical malpractice lawyer include inquiries regarding his or her qualifications. You might also ask how long the medical malpractice law firm has been assisting patients.

Many medical malpractice plaintiffs ask questions regarding the lawyer’s track record of successful jury verdicts and settlements. You could also ask questions about your case, such as how long it might take to resolve and how the lawyer might approach it.

Individuals who may have experienced medical malpractice in Long Island, New York can find the help they need at Pegalis & Erickson, LLC, a malpractice law firm dedicated to successfully advocating on patients’ behalf. Should you have any questions about medical negligence, you can call a medical malpractice lawyer at (516) 684-2900.

There are many types of medical malpractice, including anesthesia injuries. These types of medication errors can sometimes result in severe complications, including lung infections, temporary mental confusion, stroke, heart attack, and death. The risk of anesthesia complications may be higher in patients who smoke, have high blood pressure, or have diabetes.

Rarely, some patients have been known to wake up during the surgery. This may be the result of medical malpractice, such as when the anesthesiologist fails to administer enough of the medication. This complication is known as anesthesia awareness. The patient may or may not experience pain while he or she is aware of the surroundings. Despite this awareness, the patient is unable to alert the surgical team to the problem because of the muscle relaxants administered prior to surgery. Long-term psychological damage can occur.

When you’re in need of a medical malpractice lawyer serving Long Island, New York, you can turn to Pegalis & Erickson, LLC. Call our personal injury lawyers at (516) 684-2900.

The brachial plexus is a bundle of nerves located in the shoulder region. An injury to this network of nerves, known as a brachial plexus injury, can cause mild to severe symptoms that may be either temporary or permanent. Typically, the symptoms involve the loss of muscle control of the affected arm. A brachial plexus injury may occur at birth if the baby’s shoulder becomes lodged in the birth canal. Medical malpractice in the form of excessive physical maneuvers can result in a birth injury.

Prenatal Care

The risk of this form of birth trauma may be reduced if the expectant mother is given proper prenatal care. In fact, deviating from the standard of care for pregnant women is considered a form of medical malpractice. One of the risk factors of brachial plexus injuries is excessive weight gain of the mother during pregnancy. The healthcare provider should carefully monitor the mother’s weight gain and provide nutritional guidance as needed. The mother should be informed of the potential risks of excessive weight gain. Another controllable risk factor of brachial plexus injuries is gestational diabetes, which refers to the development of diabetes during pregnancy. Expectant mothers with gestational diabetes should be given extensive patient education on managing blood sugar levels to promote a healthy pregnancy, as well as a referral to high-risk doctors and nutritionists.

Cesarean Delivery

A C-section may be recommended for women with a high-risk pregnancy, such as when the baby is at a higher risk of developing a brachial plexus injury. The healthcare provider should assess the risk of the baby, such as by evaluating fetal size, and make appropriate recommendations. In the event that the labor and delivery is prolonged and excessive force might be required, the health care provider may be expected to recommend a C-section to prevent birth trauma.

The medical negligence lawyers of Pegalis & Erickson, LLC have years of experience helping families move forward after a birth injury diagnosis. If your child was diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury, you could consult our medical malpractice lawyer serving Long Island, New York to find out about your legal rights and options. To schedule a case review with a medical malpractice lawyer, call us at (516) 684-2900.