New Mexico Kernicterus Lawyer

Seeking Justice for Preventable Jaundice-Related Brain Injuries

Newborn jaundice is a common condition that affects many babies in the first few days of life. While mild jaundice is typically harmless, failure to properly diagnose, monitor, and treat severe jaundice can lead to a devastating condition known as kernicterus, a form of brain damage caused by dangerously high bilirubin levels.

If your child has suffered a birth injury due to untreated or mismanaged newborn jaundice, McGinn Montoya Love Curry & Sievers PA is here to help. Our experienced trial lawyers fight for families who have been harmed by negligence and have recovered millions of dollars in compensation in medical malpractice and birth injury cases.

Our Kernicterus attorneys serve families across New Mexico. Call (505) 405-4441 or contact us onlinefor a FREE consultation.

What Is Kernicterus?

Kernicterus is a severe, preventable neurological condition that occurs when excess bilirubin—a yellow pigment produced by the breakdown of red blood cells—accumulates in a newborn’s brain. If left untreated, this condition can cause permanent brain damage, developmental disabilities, and lifelong medical challenges.

Signs of severe jaundice that require immediate medical attention include:

• Extreme yellowing of the skin or eyes (especially in the first 24 hours)
• Difficulty waking or extreme sleepiness
• High-pitched crying
• Poor feeding or trouble latching
• Abnormal muscle stiffness or floppiness
• Arching of the back or unusual body posture

How Medical Negligence Causes Kernicterus

Hospitals those it places in its facilities have a responsibility to recognize and treat severe jaundice before it progresses to kernicterus. Medical negligence may occur when healthcare providers:

• Fail to monitor bilirubin levels – Newborns should be checked for jaundice regularly, especially if they have risk factors such as prematurity, bruising during birth, or a sibling with a history of jaundice.
• Ignore early warning signs – If a baby exhibits symptoms of severe jaundice, doctors must act quickly to prevent dangerous bilirubin buildup.
• Delay or fail to provide phototherapy – Blue light phototherapy is a standard, effective treatment for high bilirubin levels. Delayed or improper administration can allow the condition to worsen.
• Neglect to order an exchange transfusion when needed – In severe cases, a blood exchange transfusion may be required to remove excess bilirubin. Failing to order this procedure can lead to irreversible damage.
• Discharge a newborn too soon – Some infants require extended monitoring after birth. Releasing a baby without proper bilirubin checks can result in undetected and untreated jaundice.

When medical providers fail to take these necessary precautions, newborns are put at risk of permanent injury, and families may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim.

Lifelong Consequences of Kernicterus

Babies who suffer kernicterus may experience serious, irreversible conditions, including:

• Cerebral palsy
• Hearing loss or deafness
• Vision impairments
• Developmental delays
• Difficulty with motor skills and muscle control
• Cognitive impairments

These lifelong disabilities require extensive medical care, specialized therapies, and ongoing support. Families should not have to bear these burdens alone when medical negligence is to blame.

Do I Have a Kernicterus Birth Injury Claim?

If your child was diagnosed with kernicterus due to mismanaged newborn jaundice, you may have a legal claim against the responsible medical providers. Our attorneys will investigate:

• Whether medical staff failed to properly monitor and assess your baby’s bilirubin levels.
• If warning signs of severe jaundice were ignored or dismissed.
• Whether doctors failed to provide the necessary treatment in a timely manner.
• If hospital policies or staffing issues contributed to inadequate care.

By proving that a healthcare provider’s negligence directly led to your child’s injury, we can pursue compensation for medical expenses, future care needs, pain and suffering, and more.

How McGinn Montoya Love Curry & Sievers PA Can Help

Our firm has a proven track record of holding negligent medical professionals accountable in complex birth injury cases. When you work with our team, you receive:

• Experienced legal representation – We have successfully handled birth injury claims and secured life-changing compensation for families.
• Top-tier medical experts – We work with leading neonatologists and pediatric specialists to analyze medical records and establish liability.
• Compassionate client advocacy – We understand the emotional and financial toll of caring for a child with kernicterus and fight to ease your burden.
• Aggressive litigation – If necessary, we are prepared to take your case to trial to secure the justice your family deserves.