Necrotizing Enterocolitis Lawyer

The parents of newborn babies rely on hospital staff and doctors to protect and care for their newest family member. This is especially true when you have a premature birth, which leaves your baby a bit more vulnerable for the first few weeks of their life.  

When doctors fail to care for premature babies properly, serious conditions and complications can occur. If your prematurely born baby fell seriously ill within the first 2-6 weeks of life, you may need a Necrotizing Enterocolitis Lawyer. 

Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP has decades of experience helping families in Boston after their child suffers a birth injury. We can help you pursue the compensation your family needs for your child’s medical care and damages.

Contact us today at (617)-391-9001 for a free consultation with a member of our legal team.

How Can Sweeney Merrigan Help After My Baby Develops Necrotizing Enterocolitis?

Watching your newborn baby suffer from a birth condition or injury is traumatic. It can be more devastating if doctors or hospital staff are to blame. Money won’t erase the trauma for you or your baby. But it can help you get your baby the care they need after developing necrotizing enterocolitis. Our Boston personal injury attorneys can help you get that compensation.

At Sweeney Merrigan Law LLP, our legal team is made up of parents and neighbors in Boston. Our Boston birth injury lawyers take your child’s case seriously. We have more than 100 years of combined experience helping families recover compensation when they need it most.

When you hire us to represent you, we will:

• Listen to your story and the harm your child has endured
• Gather and preserve evidence of medical providers’ malpractice
• Retain leading medical experts to strengthen your case
• Negotiate with insurance companies and lawyers for maximum compensation
• Take your case to trial if necessary

Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) is a common yet deadly illness. The medical establishment has no excuse for not properly preventing and treating this condition. If your baby was affected by NEC, contact our Boston personal injury lawyers for a free consultation about your case. 

What Are the Symptoms of Necrotizing Enterocolitis?

There are many signs of Necrotizing Enterocolitis. Biographical data helps with the diagnosis. Necrotizing Enterocolitis can happen in any newborn, but 90% of all cases impact premature babies. NEC typically develops within 2-4 weeks of birth. 

Symptoms of NEC may include: 

• Bloated, tender stomach
• Difficulty feeding
• Slow digestion/constipation
• Diarrhea or blood in stool 
• Fatigue 
• Green vomit
• Breathing problems
• Blood pressure issues
• Reduced heart rate

If your newborn suffered from these symptoms early in their life, it is possible that they had NEC. Doctors are supposed to look out for these symptoms and treat them quickly to prevent further complications. 

What Causes Necrotizing Enterocolitis?

The exact cause of Necrotizing Enterocolitis is unknown. However, the medical community agrees on some specific risk factors that contribute to the onset of the disease. 

These include: 

• Low oxygen deliveries
• Weakened intestines due to premature birth and/or low oxygen
• Poor blood flow to intestine and bowels
• Bacterial or viral infection
• Feeding formula instead of breastmilk to premature baby

Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) are supposed to have very stringent procedures to reduce the risk of bacteria or viruses. Staff should also know about the risks of formula use in newborns. 

If you suspect proper precautions were not followed in the NICU, you need a Necrotizing Enterocolitis attorney to take a look at your case.

How Can Medical Malpractice Cause Necrotizing Enterocolitis?

NEC lawsuits are typically pursued as negligence cases under medical malpractice laws. Medical malpractice suits can be brought against doctors and medical professionals that fail to live up to their duty of reasonable care. Professionals typically carry malpractice insurance for this reason. 

Negligence suits require that the plaintiff prove four elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages. The term medical malpractice simply indicates that the applicable duty (i.e. standard of care) is that of a responsible medical professional. 

Medical malpractice asserts that your doctor or nurse failed in their duty to act as a responsible doctor or nurse would have under similar circumstances. 

Some common medical malpractice situations related to Necrotizing Enterocolitis may include:

• Failure to diagnose
• Failure to properly treat
• Negligently causing the infection (using formula vs milk; failure to contain an outbreak, etc.)

Hospitals and NICU units have big legal teams that swoop in when any allegations of wrongdoing begin. Do not risk your future or your baby’s future by waiting to consult with Sweeney Merrigan. We will put you on even footing with the big medical establishment. 

What Kinds of Damages Are Available in My Medical Malpractice Case?

Damages can vary greatly from case to case, depending on the severity of your child’s injuries. Experienced lawyers at Sweeney Merrigan will examine your case and work with experts to calculate your damages accurately.

Some damages that may be available include economic damages, non-economic damages, survivorship damages in wrongful death suits, and punitive damages.

Economic damages for infants would typically compensate their parents for medical costs and other expenses related to their condition. Non-economic damages can compensate the child or family for pain and suffering, loss of companionship, or permanent limitations. Punitive damages exist to punish the wrongdoer for egregious conduct. 

In any case, damages should fully compensate you for the harm you or your baby has suffered from medical professionals’ negligence. 

How Long Do I Have to Sue for Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, you typically only have three years to file a medical malpractice lawsuit after your baby develops necrotizing enterocolitis. Failing to do so within the time limit can completely prevent recovery in your case. 

Wrongful Death suits also need to be filed within three years, or they will be time-barred. 

Contact a Necrotizing Enterocolitis Lawyer Today

Sweeney Merrigan Law, P.A. wants to help you fight back when negligent medical professionals injure your baby. Our Necrotizing Enterocolitis Lawyer will help you through your case every step of the way.

 Don’t jeopardize your case by waiting, contact us today for your free consultation.