Kernicterus claims

Kernicterus is a type of brain injury caused by very high levels of bilirubin in a newborn’s blood. It is most commonly linked to severe, untreated jaundice. When bilirubin levels rise too high and are not brought down quickly enough with treatment, the bilirubin can cross into the brain and cause permanent damage.

In the early stages, symptoms can include yellowing of the skin and eyes, poor feeding, extreme sleepiness, and a high-pitched cry. As the condition progresses, symptoms may include stiffness or floppy muscles and seizures. The long-term effects can include cerebral palsy, hearing loss, learning disabilities, and ongoing care needs.

In most cases, kernicterus is preventable with early diagnosis and timely treatment of jaundice. Newborn jaundice is common and usually straightforward to treat. When medical teams follow the relevant guidelines – monitoring bilirubin levels, identifying risk factors, and acting quickly when levels rise – kernicterus shouldn’t occur. When those steps aren’t taken, a negligence claim may be possible.

Yes. If your child’s kernicterus was caused by a failure in medical care – such as a missed diagnosis, a delay in treatment, or inadequate monitoring of bilirubin levels – you may be able to claim on their behalf. We’ll review what happened and tell you whether you have a case.

To succeed in a kernicterus claim, you need to show two things: that medical professionals failed to provide the standard of care expected of them, and that this failure caused your child’s injury. This is established using your child’s medical records and the opinion of independent medical experts. Our team will handle all of this for you.

Kernicterus is often linked to failures in recognising or treating severe jaundice in newborns.

Medical negligence may occur where healthcare professionals:

• Do not identify jaundice early enough
• Fail to monitor bilirubin levels appropriately
• Delay essential treatment such as phototherapy
• Do not escalate care when bilirubin levels become dangerous

Newborn jaundice is common and usually easily treated. When medical teams fail to act, bilirubin can rise to dangerous levels and cause permanent brain injury.

In these cases, kernicterus may have been preventable and could form the basis of a compensation claim.

Compensation varies depending on the severity of your child’s injury and their long-term care needs, but kernicterus claims are often high value given the lifelong impact of the condition. Compensation can cover lifetime care costs, therapies and rehabilitation, specialist education, adapted housing, specialist equipment, and lost earnings for parents who provide care. We will explain what your child’s claim might be worth once we’ve reviewed their situation.

Kernicterus claims can take time to resolve, given their medical complexity and the need for detailed expert evidence. However, we’ll work to secure interim payments as early as possible, so your child can access the care and support they need while the case progresses. We’ll keep you updated at every stage and make sure you always understand where things stand.

In most cases, you have until your child’s 21st birthday to bring a kernicterus claim, as the standard three-year limitation period doesn’t begin until they turn 18. That said, it’s always best to seek advice as early as possible. Evidence is easier to gather, and your child can access support sooner – including interim payments during the claims process.