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Kernicterus

Maine Kernicterus Lawyers

If a preventable condition like kernicterus has injured your child and devastated your family, rely on Berman & Simmons to fight for justice and accountability. Our firm has been a trusted name in Maine for over a century, relentlessly advocating for families impacted by kernicterus, birth injuries, medical negligence, and more. Our successes include winning the state's first birth injury lawsuit and recovering numerous landmark multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts. Altogether, we have secured over $1.5 billion for deserving Mainers. 

Contact us today to learn more about our firm and how we can advocate for you in the aftermath of a kernicterus diagnosis. We offer free initial consultations, which can be conducted virtually or in person at any of our four locations in Portland, Lewiston, Biddeford, and Bangor. 

Call (207) 417-4199 or reach out to Berman & Simmons online to request your consultation with our Maine kernicterus lawyers.

What Is Kernicterus?

Kernicterus is a rare but serious condition usually caused by untreated severe jaundice in newborns. Jaundice occurs when there are high levels of bilirubin in a baby’s bloodstream. Bilirubin is a yellow waste product created from the breakdown of red blood cells. If left untreated, excess bilirubin can build up in the brain, leading to irreversible damage and even death. Kernicterus can also occur with a lower bilirubin level if a baby’s albumin is critically low. Albumin is what typically binds to bilirubin to keep it from entering the brain. 

Potential Complications

The consequences of kernicterus are usually severe and lifelong. Common complications include:

  • Cerebral palsy - Kernicterus often results in motor impairments, including spasticity and difficulty with movement and coordination. Brain injury from kernicterus is visible on MRI and usually occurs in a characteristic pattern. 
  • Hearing loss - Many children with kernicterus experience partial or complete hearing loss and can require cochlear implants.
  • Vision issues - Kernicterus may cause abnormalities in eye movement.
  • Seizures - Some children will experience seizures from kernicterus.
  • Cognitive and learning difficulties - While most individuals with kernicterus are thought to have normal intelligence, some experience mild intellectual impairment due to learning barriers caused by their other impairments. 
  • Death - If left untreated or treated too late, kernicterus can be fatal.

Beyond the above, most children with kernicterus also have abnormalities in the enamel of their baby teeth. 

How Does Kernicterus Happen?

Kernicterus is almost always preventable with proper medical care. Some medical experts call it a “never event,” meaning it should never occur if a baby is treated effectively. However, negligence or failure to act can allow bilirubin levels to rise dangerously high or albumin levels to fall dangerously low. 

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