What Is Hip Dysplasia?
When bringing your newborn to the doctor for routine checkups, you expect your pediatrician to practice at the expected standard of care and to be able to diagnose your newborn if there is an issue such as a loose hip. While this can be normal for infants up to six weeks of age, a loose hip can be problematic if it persists. One of the most common health issues to detect in newborns during early routine checkups is hip dysplasia or loose hips.
There are procedures in place to ensure that medical professionals detect issues such as hip dysplasia, but sometimes they are negligent and leave these issues undiagnosed. If you believe that your child has suffered from undiagnosed hip dysplasia unnecessarily due to a medical professional’s negligence, we are here to help. Our lawyers at DeMore Law Firm, PLLC, are here to fight for you and your child’s justice.
Proper Diagnosis And Treatment Periods
Health care professionals should be looking for signs of hip dysplasia during routine checkups. Potential signs of hip dysplasia are:
- Ortolani sign
- Hip clunks into place when it abducts
- Barlow sign
- Hip slides out of socket with force from the rear
Some children are at higher risk than others due to their gender, medical history of family, and their positioning in the womb and during birth. It is a doctor’s duty to assess all of these signs and diagnose hip dysplasia within a reasonable time period. Hip dysplasia should be diagnosed and treated within the first few months of the child’s life to minimize harm and future problems.
When Is Failure To Diagnose Medical Malpractice?
Pediatric hip dysplasia treatment relies heavily on early diagnosis and treatment, and failure to diagnose early enough can mean a lifetime of health problems. Most of the hip dysplasia cases for infants are concerning the medical professionals’ failure to diagnose at a reasonable time or at all. Proving negligence is essential to a viable claim. It is an intricate process of showing that the doctor working with your infant was negligent. You must also demonstrate that a timely diagnosis by another doctor would have prevented any current or future problems. If you believe you have a case, contact DeMore Law Firm, PLLC, to speak with our experienced hip dysplasia medical malpractice lawyers to learn about your legal options for seeking damages and financial compensation.
Assess Future Damages And Long-Term Health Consequences For An Adequate Settlement
Hip dysplasia is a treatable condition, but sometimes pediatricians are negligent and make mistakes and this can lead to irreversible damage for the child. This damage will cause varying degrees of pain and loss of use later in life. Hip dysplasia is also the leading cause of arthritis of the hip at younger ages.
Hip dysplasia can result in a child’s health consequences that will affect them beyond pain and suffering. As hip dysplasia worsens, the child will need medical care, physical therapy, medical equipment, special transportation and other expenses. Hip dysplasia may also prevent the child from being able to participate in more physical activities as it worsens, leading to a loss in quality of life which gets worse over time. All of these damages must be well thought through in order to get the maximum compensation that you and your child deserve.
Act Before It Is Too Late. Contact Us Now.
In the state of New York, there is a set amount of time that can pass before you can no longer file a claim for compensation in a birth defect case. The statute of limitations for filing labor injuries and birth defects claims is 10 years from the date of birth. Act quickly and meet with the medical malpractice lawyers at DeMore Law Firm, PLLC, by calling 315-413-7000 or sending us an email to make arrangements for a free case evaluation.