Birth Injury Case Evaluation

Children who suffer from birth injuries that are preventable are confronted with staggering medical costs, difficult therapies, and permanent disabilities. Medical malpractice claims can reduce financial burdens and offer justice.

To win the claim lawyers must show that hospitals or doctors did not adhere to accepted standards of care in labor and delivery. This is usually accomplished through extensive review of medical records and expert witness testimony.

Cerebral palsy

Cerebral Palsy is a permanent motor impairment caused by injuries to the developing central nervous system that happen in utero, during delivery (perinatal) or in early infancy. It can affect a wide range of body movements, and the severity of the condition can range from mild to severe. The symptoms may vary according to age, however it is not a progressive condition.

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

The examinations will focus on the child's muscle strength and balance, and also their reactions and ability to move. A musculoskeletal examination can identify hip dislocations, scoliosis and contractures. A speech and language evaluation will also show the child's development in terms of intellectual ability as well as their ability to create speech sounds.

Neuroimaging, an imaging that allows doctors to see the brain in more detail is frequently used in diagnosing Cerebral Palsy. It is a noninvasive method to assess the extent of brain injury. It does not allow doctors to predict the impact of the injury on a child’s symptoms.

In some cases the diagnosis of cerebral palsy cannot be established until the child is several years old, since symptoms may fluctuate during this time. However the classification of a condition on the basis of severity of the condition, topographic distribution and muscle tone is useful as a method to convey the severity of the impairment to a child and influence the treatment.

Physical and occupational therapy are among the most effective treatment options for Cerebral Palsy. These therapies can increase a child’s mobility and reduce their chance of developing joint deformities, such as scoliosis. In addition, speech therapy and the use of adaptive equipment can help with daily activities and enable them to be more social with family members and other. Based on the circumstances that surround the child's condition there are a variety of forms of financial assistance available. There are also charities and foundations that can pay for treatment and care.

Brachial Plexus Injuries

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

A baby who has a brachial plexus injury is diagnosed by their primary care physician according to their medical history and physical exam. Doctors can request special imaging tests such as an MRI, CT scan or nerve conduction tests, however these tests are less appropriate for babies. Doctors can also assess the strength and mobility of the muscles of a child's arms by doing gentle range of motion exercises that help them track recovery over time.

The symptoms of a brachial plexus injury vary depending on the severity of the injury as well as which nerves are affected. Symptoms can include weakness of the arm, movement of the muscles, and a decrease in sensation (feeling) in the hand. Symptoms usually affect only one side of the body. However, sometimes both sides may be affected.

The most frequently cited cause is Neonatal Brachial Plexus Palsy (NBPP) however, it could be caused by other causes. Brachial plexus injuries are more prevalent in babies who are large, who are born in a breech position, or who must be pulled during delivery. This type of injury can also occur for athletes who participate in contact sports, like football, and from blunt trauma.

NBPP can be identified at an early age, typically within six to eight weeks following birth injury legal professional. Most children recover with no intervention, however those who are not improving by one month should be assessed by a team who can manage the disorder. These teams usually consist of an orthopedic surgeon for children along with a physiatrist as well as a physical therapy.

Erb's Palsy

The brachial (brake-ee-al) brachial plexus is a nerve group that connect the spinal cord to the shoulder and then down the arm into the hand. The brachial plexus nerves may be damaged during delivery and cause weakness or paralysis of the affected arm. The most commonly reported form of this injury is Erb's palsy. It is caused by a significant stretching or tear of the upper brachial plexus nerves during the labor and birth.

A doctor can diagnose Erb palsy with an examination of the baby injury attorneys's hand. The doctor looks for a lack of movement in the affected hand, a limping wrist, and a decrease in Moro reflexes (the infant's involuntary reaction to a decrease in head support). The health care provider may also order an imaging test or nerve test, such as an X ray or an ultrasound, or an electromyogram or study of nerve conduction.

In many cases, Erb's paralysis is caused by an untrained clinician applying too much lateral traction the infant during a forceps delivery. This kind of traction can be reduced by using a shorter second stage of labor, or by having the mother lie on her back during a portion of the delivery. By delivering via C-section, doctors can lower the risk of injury.

Several other kinds of brachial plexus injuries can occur in addition to Erb's palsy. Klumpke palsy is a more serious form of this condition that causes injuries to the brachial plexus nerves in the lower region. This type of injury is often described as a "waiter's tip" posture because the limb hangs down by the side and is rotated medially, bent, pronated and extended at the wrist.

If your child is diagnosed with any of these conditions, it is important to consult an attorney for medical malpractice right away. Beth has over 18 years of experience in the birth and labor process and can assist you to 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) Also known as hypoxic brain damage, occurs when a birth defect reduces the oxygen and blood supply to the baby. HIE is a serious illness that can cause permanent, severe brain damage. The effects of HIE can be severe or mild and typically begin within a few weeks of birth injury lawsuit consultation. HIE is an illness that is part of the larger category of birth-related injuries, referred to as neonatal encephalopathy.

HIE can be caused by complications during labor and birth. These include excessive bleeding in the mother’s blood vessels, forceps delivery, prolonged labor and bleeding that is excessive. A baby's low birth injury lawyer near me weight may be the reason for HIE.

To determine if there is HIE in infants, doctors will take a look at the infant's APGAR score and any indications of neurological impairment. A low APGAR score may indicate the need legal representation for birth injuries medical intervention. Doctors can also conduct tests on blood to determine the amount of acid that is accumulating in the umbilical cord, which could indicate that a baby is suffering from an oxygen deficiency or a decrease in blood flow to the brain.

If a doctor suspects that a child is suffering from HIE is a common suspicion, they'll utilize a treatment known as therapeutic hypothermia to combat the condition. During this treatment the infant is placed in a blanket that cools them, and a medication is administered to help them sleep. During cooling, doctors will check the infant's heart rate and body temperature, breathing and brain activity.

Once a baby is fully restored to its original temperature then an electromagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is performed. MRIs are the best method to determine HIE and its pattern of injury. An MRI could provide a time-frame for the injury, which can be helpful in determining if the child's symptoms are due to HIE.

If you are diagnosed with HIE infants should be monitored closely throughout their lives. They'll see a pediatrician as well as a neurologist, and they may receive physical, speech and occupational therapy to help them deal with their symptoms. The aim is to make the children as healthy as they can and to help them reach their full potential.