Over 100 000 babies are born prematurely each year in South Africa. There are many heartwarming stories of premature babies who grow into healthy adults with no related issues. Sadly, however, medical and health complications linked to premature births are now the second biggest killer of children under 5 years, after pneumonia.
How is Retinopathy of prematurity medical negligence linked?
The causes of premature births are numerous and are often completely unavoidable. However, in some cases premature births can be the result of negligence on the part of a medical practitioner. Where negligence has occurred, it may be necessary to take steps to submit a claim to ensure that you are adequately financially covered to treat possible complications that may arise because of the early delivery.
One of the possible outcomes associated with a premature birth is Retinopathy of prematurity, or ROP. In cases involving Retinopathy of prematurity medical negligence, it is important to understand both the condition and whether the medical care provided may have contributed to the harm suffered.
ROP is an eye disorder that primarily affects premature infants weighing about 2¾ pounds (1250 grams) or less who are born before 31 weeks of gestation. The smaller a baby is at birth, the more likely that baby is to develop ROP.
ROP Facts:
- Usually develops in both eyes
- Is one of the most common causes of visual loss in childhood
- Can lead to lifelong vision impairment and blindness
- Was first diagnosed in 1942
Why you should seek compensation for ROP
Visual impairment or blindness can have far-reaching effects on an individual’s life. At the outset, social development may be affected because the individual is unable to pick up on non-verbal cues. Motor development can also be affected. In addition, others may feel a lack of engagement because the individual cannot maintain eye contact.
Berthold Lowenfeld, a psychologist, researcher, and advocate for the blind, says: “A great many experiences which are taken for granted with seeing children are either impossible or much more difficult for blind children”.
Where Retinopathy of prematurity medical negligence has resulted in serious visual impairment or blindness, it is important to consider the long-term needs of the affected child.
Adequate compensation may help ensure that the child has the best possible opportunity to live a full and supported life. There may be several additional expenses incurred at various stages of his or her life, depending on the severity of the damage, and families need to be able to cover these expenses.
A medical negligence claim can therefore take into account the consequences of the injury and the financial support that may be necessary to meet the child’s future needs.
Why you should work with a reputable lawyer
Navigating a Retinopathy of prematurity medical negligence matter alone is possible, but it can add undue stress at an already difficult time in your life. These matters may require an assessment of the medical treatment provided, the circumstances surrounding the premature birth or development of ROP, and the long-term impact on the child.
Working together with a professional who has handled hundreds of cases, is familiar with the system, and has compassion for your circumstances is a far more practical approach.
An experienced medical negligence attorney can help assess the circumstances of your matter and determine whether there may be grounds to pursue compensation. Every case depends on its own facts, and the medical evidence will play an important role in establishing whether negligence occurred.
Read More in our article about protecting the rights of ROP Victims and their families.