Questions?What Is Compensation for Hydrocephalus?
Infant hydrocephalus compensation helps families afford treatment and ongoing care if the condition is caused by medical negligence. When health care providers make mistakes that cause hydrocephalus (sometimes called water on the brain), families may be able to file a legal claim.
Hydrocephalus in infants occurs when cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up in the cavities of the brain (ventricles) and spinal cord, increasing pressure on delicate brain tissue. It can result from birth injuries, brain bleeds, infections, or developmental abnormalities. Sadly, some children may suffer permanent brain damage or even death.
Infant hydrocephalus compensation helps families provide their child with the medical treatment and care they need. Most infant hydrocephalus claims are resolved out of court, providing quicker access to money without the hassle of a trial.
The Birth Injury Justice Center has partnered with attorneys who can help families in all 50 states. Together, they’ve secured over $1 billion for families affected by infant hydrocephalus and other birth injuries.
See if one of our legal partners can help your family — get a free case review now.
Infant Hydrocephalus Compensation Amounts
Infant hydrocephalus compensation amounts vary based on the severity of the child’s injury and projected costs of care over the course of their life.
Families may be entitled to multimillion-dollar hydrocephalus lawsuit settlements if the medical mistakes that caused the condition were obvious, the child is expected to need lifetime care, or the injuries resulted in wrongful death.
- $78.7 million to a New York family whose daughter suffered hydrocephalus and an intraventricular hemorrhage, causing her to develop cerebral palsy, cognitive impairments, and a seizure disorder
- $2.4 million for a family in California whose daughter was born with health conditions including hydrocephalus and spina bifida, leading to paraplegia and bladder and bowel incontinence
- $42 million to a Pennsylvania family for infant hydrocephalus from misuse of forceps, causing a head injury and the buildup of excess fluid in the brain
If your child suffered infant hydrocephalus that could have been prevented — or a medical professional’s actions worsened their condition — you may qualify for compensation, too.
A personal injury lawyer can investigate the facts of your child’s birth and pursue hydrocephalus compensation to lessen any financial worries and support long-term care.
Call the Birth Injury Justice Center right now at (800) 914-1562 or Click to Live Chat to see if a top birth injury attorney may be able to file infant hydrocephalus claims for you.
Infant Hydrocephalus and Medical Malpractice
Obstetricians and other members of the labor and delivery team are trained to deliver babies without causing harm, even when complications arise. When they act carelessly or fail to manage risk factors, they can cause a newborn to suffer permanent and life-altering injuries.
In some cases, these mistakes may be considered medical malpractice, entitling families to infant hydrocephalus compensation to help with their child’s medical expenses and long-term care.
- Failing to treat maternal infections like meningitis
- Misusing delivery tools such as forceps and vacuum extractors
- Not monitoring for signs of intracranial pressure, including vomiting or abnormal head growth
- Using too much force during delivery, leading to birth trauma and infant brain damage
- Waiting too long to perform a shunt placement, causing increased pressure in the brain and worsening a brain injury
While some children will recover with proper hydrocephalus treatment, others may experience long-term health effects like learning disabilities, vision problems, and cerebral palsy brain damage.
If your child’s hydrocephalus could have been avoided with proper care, you may be eligible for financial support. A birth injury attorney may be able to seek infant hydrocephalus compensation to provide quality care and secure your child’s future.
Who Can File an Infant Hydrocephalus Claim?
Parents or legal guardians of a child who developed hydrocephalus due to medical negligence may be able to file a hydrocephalus birth injury claim. These claims are typically filed against the health care providers or hospital responsible for the injury.
- Parents: The child’s primary caregivers who have been directly affected
- Legal guardians: Individuals with legal responsibility for the child
Hydrocephalus is often diagnosed soon after childbirth during a newborn exam by a pediatrician. However, in some cases, this birth injury may not be noticed until weeks later when symptoms like large head size, vomiting, and seizures appear.
For the diagnosis of hydrocephalus, doctors typically use a combination of X-rays, MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging), and CT scans (computed tomography) to look for abnormalities in the brain. A pediatric neurologist may be consulted to help with a diagnosis.
You don’t need an official diagnosis to get legal help seeking infant hydrocephalus compensation. Our team of registered nurses is standing by to help determine your eligibility.
Get in touch with one of our experienced labor and delivery nurses right now — at no cost to you.
Beth has more than 18 years of specialized experience in labor and delivery. She’s available to hear your story and help you figure out the cause of your child’s injury — and what you can do next.
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Call or chat with a caring, experienced nurse right now — we’re standing by to get you help and answers.
How to File Infant Hydrocephalus Claims for Compensation
Filing infant hydrocephalus hydrocephalus claims involves a few important steps. A skilled birth injury lawyer can take care of all of the legal legwork, so you can focus on your child’s health and well-being.
- Free case review: Top birth injury law firms offer free legal consultations to determine your eligibility to take legal action. Get your free case review now.
- Gather evidence: Your legal team will collect key evidence, like medical records, witness testimony, and expert opinions, to build a strong infant hydrocephalus claim.
- File your hydrocephalus lawsuit: Your lawyer will file a birth injury lawsuit in the correct court before any legal deadlines and demand maximum compensation.
- Negotiate a hydrocephalus settlement: Your legal team will strive to secure an infant hydrocephalus settlement as quickly as possible.
However, if a settlement is unable to be reached, your team can fight for your family in court and work to access infant hydrocephalus compensation from a trial verdict.
Birth injury lawsuits typically result in out-of-court settlements, providing families with faster access to compensation without the stress or hassle of a trial.
Factors That Affect Infant Hydrocephalus Compensation Amounts
Several factors affect how much infant hydrocephalus compensation families may receive. When a child faces lifetime challenges due to their condition, claims may award over $1 million.
- Level of medical negligence involved
- Medical bills for birth injury treatments like neurosurgery and medications
- Pain and suffering experienced by your family
- Severity of your child’s hydrocephalus and related health conditions
- Whether they are likely to suffer life-long impairments
State laws may also influence the value your infant hydrocephalus claims, as rules and regulations may vary by area.
The Birth Injury Justice Center has a network of experienced lawyers who can develop a life care plan for your child and fight for the infant hydrocephalus compensation your family needs.
Get a free case review now to see if we can help you get the compensation and justice your child deserves.
When to Seek Hydrocephalus Compensation
You should consider filing a claim for infant hydrocephalus compensation as soon as you suspect that medical errors caused your child’s condition.
Acting quickly is crucial due to the birth injury statute of limitations, which limits how much time you have to take legal action. Once the deadline in your case has passed, you won’t be able to file an infant hydrocephalus claim again.
Statutes of limitations vary by state. An experienced personal injury attorney can tell you about the timeframe in your case and act quickly to ensure your birth injury case is filed before your deadline.
Call (800) 914-1562 right now — before time runs out.
Get Help Pursuing Infant Hydrocephalus Compensation
Discovering that your child developed infant hydrocephalus due to a medical provider’s mistake can be emotionally and financially devastating. Hydrocephalus is a serious condition that often requires expensive surgeries and long-term care.
The Birth Injury Justice Center has partnered with top hydrocephalus lawyers who can help families in all 50 states and don’t charge any upfront costs or hourly fees.
Our legal partners have secured over $1 billion for families affected by infant hydrocephalus and other preventable injuries, and they may be able to help you, too.
Call (800) 914-1562 right now or fill out our case review form to see if we may be able to help you access the compensation and justice you deserve.
Infant Hydrocephalus Compensation FAQs
Does hydrocephalus qualify as a disability?
Yes, a child may be able to get disability benefits through Social Security, according to the Hydrocephalus Association. They may also qualify for infant hydrocephalus compensation if medical malpractice played a role in their condition.
Get a free case review now to see if you may be eligible for compensation.
Can a baby with hydrocephalus lead a normal life?
Yes, most children with hydrocephalus can lead a normal life after getting proper treatment. A neurosurgeon can remove blockages that cause fluid to accumulate in the brain, and shunts can help lessen pressure on brain tissue.
However, some children may experience permanent disabilities affecting their movement or speech, for instance, requiring lifelong care.
When infant hydrocephalus is caused or worsened by medical negligence, families may be eligible for compensation to help lessen the financial burden of these costs.
What is the life expectancy of a baby born with hydrocephalus?
Most children with hydrocephalus live long lives when they get treated. When the condition isn’t caused by tumors, up to 95% of patients survive, according to two case studies.
However, when left untreated, hydrocephalus in infants can be fatal. About 50% of children with untreated hydrocephalus die before the age of 3, and about 80% die before adulthood.
Money from a legal claim can help families afford hydrocephalus treatment options when the condition is caused or worsened by medical negligence.
What is the most common cause of hydrocephalus in infants?
The most common cause of congenital (at birth) hydrocephalus in infants is the blockage of the cerebral aqueduct, a narrow channel that connects ventricles in the brain, according to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals. This can be caused by an infection, hemorrhage, or tumor.
In some cases, hydrocephalus in a newborn results from medical negligence. When that happens, families may qualify to file infant hydrocephalus claims for compensation.
Call (800) 914-1562 now to find out about your legal options and see if we can help your family.
What are the red flags of hydrocephalus?
The red flags of hydrocephalus in infants may vary depending on the severity of the condition.
Symptoms of hydrocephalus in babies include:
- A bulging or tense soft spot (fontanel) on top of the head
- An unusually large head or rapid increase in head size
- Eyes that are fixed downward (“sunsetting”)
- Feeding problems
- High-pitched crying
- Irritability
- Seizures
- Sleepiness
- Vomiting
The Birth Injury Justice Center has registered nurses on staff who can connect you with support resources — for free.
Contact us right now to get started.
