San Antonio Caput Succedaneum Lawyer

Name: Janicek Law
Address: 1100 NE Interstate 410 Loop #600, San Antonio, Texas, 78209
Telephone: 210-366-4949

San Antonio Birth Injury Attorney for Caput Succedaneum

Every day, thousands of babies suffer from birth injuries during the labor and delivery process. Some birth injuries are fairly minor, while some are catastrophic and can lead to lifelong disability. One of the most minor birth injuries out there is called caput succedaneum. This injury is basically swelling of the baby’s scalp due to prolonged pressure in the birth canal. Many times, there is nothing that doctors can do to prevent this injury. However, unnecessary use of forceps and/or vacuum extraction can cause the infant’s head to swell directly after birth. These unnecessary birthing techniques often fall under the legal umbrella of medical malpractice.

If you or your baby suffered a preventable birth injury due to medical negligence, you may have grounds to take legal action. Janicek Law’s San Antonio birth malpractice attorneys have been helping parents obtain justice and financial compensation for their birth trauma for over 30 years. We can do the same for you. Call a San Antonio birth injury lawyer at 210-366-4949 to schedule a free consultation today.

What is Caput Succedaneum?

Caput succedaneum is a common type of birth injury characterized by edema (swelling) of the scalp shortly after birth. As a result, the baby’s head may look cone-shaped. Though swelling of the baby’s scalp may look alarming, it generally doesn’t indicate any major health issues, such as permanent brain damage or infant skull fracture claims.

Caput Succedaneum vs. Cephalohematoma

Caput succedaneum is very similar to another common type of birth injury called cephalohematoma. Both birth injuries involve slight damage to the baby’s head. However, there are clear differences between caput succedaneum and cephalohematoma.

Cephalohematoma is a collection of blood under the infant’s scalp but on top of the skull. A cephalohematoma birth injury appears as a large, lumpy bruise on the infant’s head and heals after a few months. In severe cephalohematoma cases, contact a San Antonio cephalohematoma lawyer from Janicek Law to learn about your legal options.

Additionally, in severe cases, a cephalohematoma can be a sign of a skull fracture. Our San Antonio infant skull fracture attorneys can advise you of your legal options during a free consultation.

Lastly, a cephalohematoma doesn’t cross suture lines on the baby’s skull. Instead, the injury forms between the skull bone and the skull periosteum, which is the layer just below the skin.

In contrast, a caput succedaneum birth injury is merely just scalp swelling. It doesn’t look like a big bruise, like a cephalohematoma generally does. Instead, caput succedaneum will look like there’s clear or yellow fluids (serosanguinous fluids) under the scalp. This swelling will make many babies look like they have a “conehead.” Caput succedaneum very rarely indicates a skull fracture, and it generally resolves over the course of a few days to a week. Lastly, caput succedaneum crosses skull suture lines. More specifically, the injury crosses the midline of the occipital bone, which is the bone that’s toward the back of the skull.

How Common is Caput Succedaneum?

Caput succedaneum is a fairly common type of birth injury. In fact, the Cleveland Clinic claims that there’s a 2% to 33% chance of a newborn baby developing this type of birth injury.

Symptoms of Caput Succedaneum

The main symptom of caput succedaneum is puffiness and swelling on the newborn’s head. Scalp swelling typically occurs around the part of the head that exited the vaginal canal first. If you were to gently press your finger into the swollen area, your finger would likely leave a small indention on the newborn’s scalp.

The baby may also have some slight skin discoloration or bruising on their scalp, but it’s not near as noticeable as the bruising that accompanies cephalohematoma. Lastly, you may notice that your baby’s head is pointy and cone-shaped.

Caput Succedaneum Causes

Caput succedaneum occurs due to prolonged pressure on the infant’s head during a vaginal delivery. Significant pressure on the infant’s skull is generally created by the vaginal walls, the cervix, and/or the uterus.

Caput succedaneum can also occur before birth. For example, if the mother experiences a premature rupture of membranes (PROM), the baby could develop caput succedaneum. Babies develop and grow in an amniotic sac – which is sealed by membranes – for the entirety of a pregnancy. When these membranes rupture (the water breaks) and amniotic fluid is released before the expected due date, the infant’s head is no longer supported in the womb. The baby can suffer prolonged pressure from the mother’s pelvic bones, which can lead to caput succedaneum at birth.

Other possible risk factors for the development of caput succedaneum include:

A long, difficult delivery
Vacuum extraction or forceps use during labor and delivery
Babies that have a higher birth weight (8lb, 13 oz and above)
Not enough amniotic fluid in the womb
Pregnancy that continues past the expected due date
Braxton Hicks contractions (AKA false labor)
C-sections

Caput Succedaneum Complications

There are several complications that could accompany a caput succedaneum birth injury, including:

Caput Succedaneum Jaundice

Swelling of the child’s head can lead to excess bilirubin in the bloodstream, which can lead to jaundice. Babies with this condition can have a yellowish tint to their skin and eyes. Jaundice can be easily treated with light therapy. Untreated jaundice in babies can lead to kernicterus, a type of brain damage due to excess bilirubin in the baby’s blood.

Contact a San Antonio floppy baby syndrome lawyer for a free case evaluation.

Cerebral Palsy

Kernicterus can lead to athetoid cerebral palsy and potential hearing loss. If your child suffered brain damage or cerebral palsy, contact our San Antonio cerebral palsy attorneys for a free case evaluation.

Alopecia

Babies with caput succedaneum can also experience alopecia (or hair loss) in the swollen area. In most cases, alopecia is temporary and will resolve once the swelling goes down. More severe cases of caput succedaneum can lead to scarring on the baby’s head, which may lead to permanent hair loss.

Caput Succedaneum Treatment

The vast majority of babies with caput succedaneum need very little medical intervention in order to heal. There is no need to drain the fluid under the scalp because that would just lead to a dangerous infection. The baby may need light therapy if they develop jaundice due to their scalp swelling. As previously stated, untreated jaundice can potentially lead to athetoid cerebral palsy without proper medical care. But the chances of this happening are very slim.

Can I Sue for Caput Succedaneum?

Most caput succedaneum cases are considered minor birth injuries that need very little medical intervention. Medical professionals can do everything right during the birthing process, and a baby could still come out with scalp swelling.

However, if your baby’s case of caput succedaneum was caused by medical malpractice – such as unnecessarily using forceps or vacuum extraction – then you may have grounds to file a birth injury lawsuit. Or if your baby developed a severe case of jaundice caused by caput succedaneum and they didn’t receive proper medical treatment, which led to other complications like athetoid cerebral palsy, you could sue for medical negligence as well.

San Antonio birth injury lawyers at Janicek Law can listen to your story, analyze the details of your case, and help you decide whether you have grounds to sue for medical malpractice.

Compensation for Caput Succedaneum Birth Injuries in Texas

A San Antonio birth injury lawyer at Janicek Law can help you recover financial compensation for the following types of damages:

Past and future medical bills
Past and future rehabilitative bills
Lost wages (for the parents)
Loss of earning capacity (for the child if they develop a severe disability such as cerebral palsy and cannot work in the future)
Emotional distress
Mental health counseling bills
Expenses related to necessary medical equipment like wheelchairs and braces (again, if the child develops a severe disability)
Funeral and burial expenses if the birth injury results in wrongful death

San Antonio Caput Succedaneum Attorney

If your baby suffered caput succedaneum or any other birth injury due to medical negligence, you may have grounds to take legal action. Our legal team believes that all parents – and their children – deserve financial compensation for their birth trauma. San Antonio birth injury lawyers at Janicek Law have decades of combined experience in successfully litigating birth injury lawsuits. We are the best and most compassionate team to have on your side during an impossible time like this. Call 210-366-4949 to schedule a free consultation at our law firm today.

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   Natasha Garza 
 31 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had an amazing experience with Janicek Law from beginning to end. Karen Rangel recommended us to Cassidy Muniz, and we are so thankful she did. Cassidy assisted myself, my husband, and our two daughters, and all four of us are extremely happy with the experience and outcome.

Cassidy truly went above and beyond for our entire family. She was always responsive, patient, professional, and helpful, and she kept us informed throughout the entire process. Everything went smoothly, we had no issues, and she made what could have been a stressful situation so much easier for us.

The entire team at Janicek Law is amazing, and we felt like we were in great hands from start to finish. We are incredibly grateful to Karen for recommending Cassidy and especially grateful to Cassidy for everything she did for our family.

We would 100% recommend Cassidy and Janicek Law to anyone looking for a team that truly cares about their clients. Thank you all so much for everything! ❤️
  
 
       
   Alex McWhirter 
 18 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We were referred to Janicek Law firm from a lawyer in Brownsville, who pointed out that they are experts in the field of medical malpractice and I am so grateful. We worked with Andrew and Gaby and they were dedicated and worked hard to get us the best possible outcome. They kept us informed and updated through every step of the process, always with a friendly and very professional disposition. Despite language and distance challenges, they accommodated all of our needs, and I would highly recommend Janicek Law Firm. They made a bad situation better by listening to our concerns, helping us through a sorrowful time for my family, and advising on how to defeat our opponent. For any families that have a beloved and elderly relative who suffered in the hands of callous and neglectful medical institutions, Janicek Law Firm were amazing in advocating for our relative and making these corporate entities accountable. Thank you, Andrew and Gaby, we really appreciated your help!
  
 
       
   Heidi Soto 
 8 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Mr Bernal and Karen were great. They always kept me up to date on all that was going on at all times. When it came down to mediation Mr Bernal knew exactly what to do and say to make things clear with the insurance company who wanted to take advantage of me. I highly recommend Mr Bernal if you ever are in an accident. He will definitely take care of you.
  
 
       
   Lucy 
 30 July 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I am beyond thankful for everyone at Janicek law for the professionalism, dedication, and support you all have showed throughout my lawsuit. From the very beginning, you all made a difficult and stressful situation much easier to navigate! Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions, keeping me informed every step of the way and making this process as stress free as possible! I can without a doubt definitely recommend this law firm!
  
 
       
   Iris Contreras 
 16 July 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have started this review so many times, but every time I do, I realize there simply aren't enough words to thank the people at Janicek Law.
Almost 3 years ago, my world ended. I lost my son, Zayden—the greatest love of my life. My other son, Zy, witnessed the unimaginable that day. He carries those memories with him every single day, and we are forever grateful that he is still here because we very easily could have lost him too. Our family didn't just experience a tragedy—we experienced trauma that changed us forever.
When I first met the team at Janicek Law, I wasn't just grieving. I was broken. I was a mother trying to survive the unthinkable while helping my surviving son heal from something no child should ever witness. I didn't know if I had the strength to keep fighting.
There were so many moments when I wanted to give up. Every deposition, every conversation, every piece of evidence forced me to relive the worst day of my life. I told them I couldn't do it anymore. But they never let me forget why we were fighting. They reminded me that Zayden deserved justice. They reminded me that Zy deserved justice. They believed in my family even when I couldn't believe in myself.
What makes Janicek Law different is that this was never just a job to them. They never made me feel like another client or another case number. They knew my children by name. They celebrated Zayden's life. They cried with us, prayed with us, hugged us, encouraged us, and walked beside us through every heartbreaking step. They carried a piece of this burden with us, and I will never forget that.
Even after the case was over, they didn't disappear. They still answer my calls. They still help me with paperwork. They still check on me. They still make me feel like my family matters. That's something you cannot fake. That's love. Somewhere along the way, I stopped seeing them as "my attorneys" and started seeing them as family. And I truly believe I have a family for life.
No amount of money will ever bring my little boy back. I would trade every penny to hear his laugh one more time. But because of Janicek Law, I have peace knowing that his life mattered, his story was heard, and that they fought for my boys with everything they had.
From the deepest part of a mother's heart... thank you. Thank you for loving my children. Thank you for never giving up on us when I wanted to give up myself. Thank you for standing beside us through the darkest chapter of our lives. You gave my family more than legal representation—you gave us hope, dignity, and people we will love for the rest of our lives. You helped a grieving mother find the strength to be the voice her son no longer had. In a world that can feel so unfair, you reminded me that there are still genuinely good people. We love each and every one of you, and we will never forget what you did for Zayden, for Zy, and for us.❤️
  
 
       
   Destiny Sanchez 
 14 July 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My friend Karen referred us to Janicek law firm and I am so grateful. We worked with cassidy moving forward and she went above and beyond while helping me with my accident case. From the very beginning, she was professional, knowledgeable, and always available to answer my questions. She kept me informed throughout the entire process and made a stressful situation much easier to handle. Her dedication, hard work, and attention to detail truly made a difference in my case. I am incredibly grateful for everything she did for me and my family. I would highly recommend Cassidy and Janicek Law Firm, who genuinely cares about clients and fights for the best possible outcome. Thank you cassidy for everything!
  
 
       
   Virginia-Ann Bernal 
 8 July 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. After my accident, I felt overwhelmed and had no idea what to do next. Choosing Janicek Law Firm was one of the best decisions I could have made. From the very beginning, Philip Bernal,  Cassidy Muniz, and Karen Rangel took the time to explain the process, answer my questions, and make sure I always knew what to expect.

Cassidy and Karen were  absolutely incredible throughout my entire case. They coordinated my medical care, helped with scheduling appointments, communicated with my insurance, and was always available whenever I needed guidance or reassurance. Their compassion and dedication truly made a difficult time so much easier.

The entire team worked hard to build my case, keeping me informed every step of the way, and ultimately secured a settlement I was very happy with. More importantly, they gave me the peace of mind to focus on healing instead of worrying about the legal process.

I can’t thank Philip, Cassidy, Karen and everyone at Janicek Law Firm enough for their professionalism, kindness, and commitment. If you’re looking for a law firm that genuinely cares about its clients, I highly recommend them. THANK YOU SOO MUCH!!
  
 
       
   Corey Sil 
 29 June 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Mr. Skemp and Gaby took care of everything and made my suit for Wrongful Death as easy as possible. I couldn’t have done any of this with out them! They honored and represented my Mother to the fullest and for that I am greatful! G. Silvas
  
 
       
   Jasub Baez 
 22 June 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Good lawyers .
  
 
       
   Aldo Salinas 
 10 June 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I highly recommend the team at Janicek Law. From the very beginning, they provided outstanding legal service that was both professional and deeply compassionate. The entire staff is incredibly knowledgeable, and they made a complex process feel manageable and stress-free. It’s rare to find a firm that combines such high-level legal expertise with a genuinely friendly, client-focused approach. I am very grateful for their support and would choose them again without hesitation.
  
 
 
 
  
 
   Google rating score: 4.8 of 5, based on 358 reviews

Janicek Law handled my case with such professionalism. I was always kept in the loop about what was going on with my case. Cassidy Muniz is amazing at what she does and I really felt like they actually cared about me and my case. Highly recommend Janicek Law Firm!

I could not be happier with the service and compassion from the Janicek Law Firm. They were friendly, responsive and knowledgeable throughout the entire process. I would give ten stars if I could – They are excellent!

Janicek Law was patient and understanding to my situation – it’s a fight – but they would make my father proud. Thanks you for taking the time to look over my case and speaking up for my family.

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Incredibly talented and knowledgeable attorneys that will fight negligent nursing homes and bring Justice to the elderly and their families.

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