Kernicterus Claims

Kernicterus is a serious condition that affects newborn babies, causing difficulties with mobility, learning, sight and hearing. If your baby has been left with kernicterus as a result of avoidable birth trauma or medical negligence during their neonatal care, Gibson & Associates can help you to make a claim.

We specialise in helping families whose babies have suffered severe brain injury through improper monitoring or treatment. Our dedicated team of medical negligence solicitors are able to provide advice and assistance on making a successful claim to help support the recovery of your child and your family.

Our years of experience providing legal counsel and support for families affected by birth injuries of all kinds from across Ireland means we are well-placed to handle your claim. We will provide clear, compassionate advice throughout the claims process, helping you to achieve a just outcome.

No matter where in Ireland you are based, Gibson & Associates is here to help. Contact our team today to discuss your options by calling 01 872 3143; you can also fill in our online enquiry form to request a call back, and we will aim to return your call in three hours or less.

Our Kernicterus claim services

Kernicterus is a preventable condition if immediate action is taken when a baby displays the first signs of jaundice. Making a kernicterus claim can help families better understand what has happened and why, and our solicitors will leverage their legal expertise to ensure that you achieve the best possible outcome.

A successful claim can play a vital role in improving a child’s quality of life by helping you to provide care, adaptations to the home, allowances for time off work and so on. We understand how difficult it can be to go through a process as traumatic as this, which is why we are dedicated to providing the guidance you need at every stage of the claim.

The solicitor assigned to your case will investigate the circumstances that led to your child contracting kernicterus by gathering evidence to show that their substandard neonatal care was the result of negligence. This includes examining relevant medical reports and consulting with independent medical experts.

what our clients say…

Highly recommend. Used this firm for a personal injury claim, always updated with what was happening and a great result at the end. Definitely recommend Emmett especially

H McDaid

Tested & Trusted. Have used the Letterkenny branch severally and with Lisa McBride handling my case, I always triumph with the biggest smile.
Very reliable, trustworthy and professionally Excellent in all legal duties. 10 stars rating for me, if possible.

Ben E

Excellent service. Excellent solicitors. Very happy with the service we received and result of personal injury matter. This firm was recommended to us from another solicitor. Would recommend this firm to family and friends, especially solicitor Lisa Mc Bride.

B Fox

Highest praise for Emmet and the medical negligence team in Gibson & Associates, they helped me through a difficult negligence case against a hospital for an injury to my baby. The compassion and aftercare I received from Emmett was excellent.

Emma L

FAQs

What is kernicterus?

Kernicterus is a form of brain damage that occurs as a result of jaundice in a newborn baby becoming so severe that bilirubin – a substance responsible for the yellowing of the skin and eyeballs – crosses the membrane of the brain, causing permanent damage.

High levels of bilirubin (hyperbilirubinemia) can be caused by the breakdown of red blood cells or the inability of a newborn baby’s liver to process and clear bilirubin properly. It is a particular risk for babies who are born prematurely.

Jaundice is very common in newborn babies, but is usually harmless, with symptoms clearing up without any need of treatment. In rare cases, it can be harmful to a child’s health, which is why it must be monitored carefully, especially if it appears within the first 24 hours of life. Bilirubin levels can be checked and assessed with a heel prick blood test.

If bilirubin levels begin to increase to a worrying amount, there are a number of treatment options available, including phototherapy or a blood transfusion, which can help bring bilirubin under control.

Various complications can arise as a result of kernicterus, including cerebral palsy, deafness, blindness, dental problems, issues with speech and language, and learning difficulties.

What are the symptoms of kernicterus?

The initial symptoms of kernicterus in babies include:

Poor feeding
Irritability
A high-pitched cry
Sleepiness
Brief pauses in breathing (apnoea)
Floppy muscles

As kernicterus progresses, additional symptoms can include seizures and muscle spasms that cause the back and neck to arch.

How can medical negligence contribute to kernicterus?

Kernicterus usually occurs due to medical negligence because of a lack of awareness of the risks of jaundice and a failure to perform prompt and regular checks and treatment by doctors, midwives or nurses.

Those most at risk to kernicterus include:

Babies born prematurely
Full-term babies with hyperbilirubinaemia
Babies whose bilirubin levels are above the treatment threshold and are continuing to rise
Newborn babies who develop jaundice in the first 24 hours after birth
Babies with siblings who have suffered from hyperbilirubinaemia
Babies who are solely breastfed

Why choose Gibson & Associates?

As one of Ireland’s leading law firms, we work tirelessly to get the best results for clients, putting their needs at the heart of everything we do. We know that making a kernicterus claim can be a distressing time and you want to understand what happened – that’s why when handling these cases, “good enough” isn’t good enough for us.

We understand that the claims process can be complicated, which is why we strive to make things as simple as possible for you. We always use clear, plain language when explaining things to you, avoid complex jargon or “legalese”, and are completely transparent about costs and processes from the first moment you get in touch with us.

In an initial consultation, we will discuss your options and next steps, and you will be provided with a dedicated point of contact who will remain with you throughout the claims process. We guarantee that all of your calls will be returned in three hours or less.

With offices in Dublin and Letterkenny and associates around the country, Gibson & Associates is here to help, no matter where in Ireland you are based.

Meet Our Birth Injury Team

Contact our team today for advice with your claim

Amanda Walsh

Partner

Amanda Walsh

Janice Doherty

Medical Negligence Solicitor

Janice Doherty

We are waiting to hear from you

To discuss a potential kernicterus claim with our team of experts, call Gibson & Associates today on 01 872 3143. Alternatively, complete our online enquiry form and we will aim to get back to you within three hours.

For more information on medical negligence, take a look at our blog: