Birth Injury Case Evaluation

Parents of children who suffer from preventable birth injuries are faced with astronomical medical expenses, difficult therapies and permanent disabilities. Medical malpractice claims can ease financial burdens, and also provide justice.

To win the claim attorneys must prove that hospitals or doctors did not adhere to accepted standards of treatment when it came to labor and delivery. This is usually done by a thorough review of medical documents and expert witness testimony.

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy is permanent motor impairment caused by injuries to the developing central nervous system that happen in utero, during delivery (perinatal) or in the early stages of infanthood. It can affect a wide range of body movements, and its intensity can be mild to severe. Its symptoms can vary by age, however the condition isn't progressive.

It is not a testable condition unlike other conditions. A thorough and comprehensive assessment will help medical professionals determine if a child's condition stems from cerebral palsy. This includes a complete assessment of mobility and neurologic function.

The tests will look at the child's muscles, posture, balance, reflexes, ability to move and other factors that influence a child's movements. A musculoskeletal examination can identify problems like hip dislocation, scoliosis, and contractures. A speech and language test will also show the child's development in terms of intellectual ability as well as their capacity to create speech sounds.

Cerebral Palsy is diagnosed using neuroimaging which allows doctors to look at the brain in a detailed manner. It is a non-invasive method to determine the severity of brain damage. However, it doesn't allow doctors to determine the impact of this injury on the child's symptoms.

Children may not be diagnosed with cerebral palsy until they are several years old, as symptoms can fluctuate. The classification of a disorder according to severity, topographical location and muscle tone can be useful in determining a child's level of impairment and impacting treatment.

The most effective treatments for Cerebral Palsy include physical and occupational therapy. These can help improve the mobility of children and decrease the risk of joint deformities such as scoliosis. Additionally, speech therapy and the use of adaptive equipment can assist with the child's daily living activities and allow them to connect more effectively with family members and others. There are a variety of options lawyers for injurys near me financial aid available based on the specific circumstances that lead to the child's health. This includes charities and foundations that can ease the burden of paying for a child's treatment and care.

Brachial Plexus Injuries

A brachial-plexus injury happens when the five nerves which branch from the spine at the neck are injured. These nerves transmit signals from the spine to the hand, shoulder and arm. The brachial plexus is located on each side of the body. Some infants recover without treatment but the majority will benefit from physical therapy and occupational therapy. A smaller proportion of infants may require surgery to achieve satisfactory results.

A baby with an injury to the brachial area can be diagnosed by their primary care doctor in light of their medical history and physical examination. Doctors can also request special imaging tests like an MRI or a CT scan, or nerve conduction studies however, these tests are less accurate in infants. Doctors can assess the strength and range of motion of the child's arms by performing gentle exercises to increase range of motion. This allows them to track the progress over time.

The symptoms of brachial-plexus injuries can vary based on how severe the injury is and the nerves that have been affected. The symptoms can include weakness in the arm, a lack of movement of the muscles, and a decrease in sensation (feeling) in the hand. The symptoms usually affect just one side of the body. However, in some cases, both sides can be affected.

The most common cause is Neonatal Brachial Plexus Palsy (NBPP), but it could be caused by other causes. Brachial plexus injuries are more prevalent in large babies, those who are born in a breech position, or who are pulled during birth. This type of injury lawsuit could also occur in athletes who participate in contact sports, such as football and blunt trauma.

NBPP is a condition that is identified early, typically within six weeks of birth. The majority of children will recover without intervention, but those who are not able to improve by the end of one month should be assessed by a team of professionals who can manage the disorder. These teams are typically made comprising a pediatric orthopedist as well as a physiatrist, and a physical therapist.

Erb's Palsy

The brachial (brake-ee-al) plexus is a nerve group that runs from the spinal cord to the shoulder and then down the arm and into the hand. If this nerve system becomes injured during delivery, it may cause weakness or paralysis in the affected arm. Erb's Palsy is the most frequent kind. It is caused by significant stretching or tear of the upper brachial nerves during delivery.

A doctor can diagnose Erb's palsy through a physical examination of the infant's arm. The doctor will look for a lack of movement in the affected hand or wrist, a limping wrist and a deficiency in Moro reflexes (the infant's involuntary reaction to a decrease in head support). The health care professional could also request an imaging test or nerve test such as an X ray or an electromyogram or ultrasound or study of nerve conduction.

In many cases, Erb's palsy occurs when an inexperienced physician applies too much lateral pressure to the infant during forceps delivery. This kind of traction can be minimized by having the shorter second stage of labor or having the mother lie on her back during part of the delivery. If the mother is delivered via C-section a doctor can reduce the risk of injury.

Several other types of injuries to the brachial system may occur in addition to Erb's palsy. Klumpke Palsy is the more severe form of this condition, which causes damage to the lower brachial nerves. This kind of lawyer near me injury is commonly described as a "waiter's tip" posture due to the fact that the limb hangs to the side and is rotated medially pronated, flexed and extended at the wrist.

If your child is diagnosed with any of these ailments it is essential to consult a medical malpractice attorney injury lawyer immediately. Beth has over 18 years of experience in the birth and labor process, and she can help determine if the doctor treating your child has committed negligence that could have led to these avoidable injuries.

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) is a condition that occurs when a birth issue restricts oxygen and blood flow to the baby. HIE is a serious condition that can cause permanent serious brain damage. HIE's effects can be severe or mild and usually start within a few weeks of birth. HIE is among the many ailments that fall under a larger category of birth-related injuries known as neonatal encephalopathy (NE).

HIE can be caused by problems during birth and labor. These can include excessive bleeding in the mother’s blood vessels as well as forceps delivery, prolonged labor and bleeding that is excessive. A baby's low birth weight could be a cause of HIE.

To determine if there is HIE in infants, doctors will take a look at the infant's APGAR scores as well as any indications of neurological impairment. A low APGAR can be a sign that you need immediate medical care. Doctors may use blood tests to measure the buildup of acid in the umbilical chord, which is an indication that a baby may have been suffering from an oxygen deficiency or decreased blood flow.

If a child is suspected to have HIE, doctors will often attempt to treat it with a procedure known as therapeutic hypothermia. In this procedure the child is placed in a cool blanket and given medicine to help him or her sleep. During the cooling process, doctors check the infant's heart rate and body temperature, breathing and brain activity.

Once a baby has been fully re-warmed, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan will be performed. MRIs are best for identifying HIE and the pattern of its injury. An MRI may show a time-frame for the injury lawyers near me, which could be useful in determining if the child's symptoms are caused by HIE.

If you are diagnosed with HIE, babies should be closely monitored throughout their lives. They will visit a neurologist as well as a neonatologist. They may receive physical, speech, or occupational therapy to cope with their symptoms. The goal is to help these children reach their full potential and make them as healthy as possible.