NJ Sickle Cell Anemia Lawyers

According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, sickle cell anemia is a disease characterized by the sickle-shaped, red blood cells made by the body. Normal red blood cells are disc-shaped and move easily throughout blood vessels. Conversely, sickle, C-shaped, blood cells do not move freely throughout the blood stream, posing the risk of forming clumps of blood cells that block and or significantly restrict blood flow throughout the vessels. Sickle-cell anemia is a genetic disease that is passed from both parents to a child.

Sickle cell anemia decreases the ability for oxygen to be properly distributed throughout the body. Restricted blood flow to the limbs and organs can cause organ damage or serious infections. The condition is painful, often excruciating. Unfortunately, there is no cure for sickle cell anemia, and the treatment is directed at relieving symptoms, preventing complications and avoiding a sickle cell crisis.

Since Sickle Cell Anemia is a genetic disease, it is important that physicians consult with parents and secure a complete and accurate medical history to determine the risk of a child being born with the disease, and what, if any, prenatal screenings should be performed to detect if the fetus has the condition. Testing and counseling of parents is critically important if the risk factors for passing on the disease to the fetus are present.

A failure to consider family history, test for, or diagnose Sickle Cell Anemia prenatally deprives parents of the legal option to make informed decisions about the pregnancy, and can result in a child being born with this serious and painful incurable disease.

If your child suffers from Sickle Cell Anemia, it is important that you retain the services of a skilled medical malpractice attorney to evaluate the adequacy of your prenatal care. At Blume Goldfaden, our experienced New Jersey birth injury lawyers will review the care you received to determine if a medical negligence claim may be warranted. Please note that it is our practice to only accept cases that are meritorious. We do not accept frivolous cases. Call us today at 973-635-5400 for a no cost consultation to discuss your potential legal options.