Birth Injury Case Evaluation

Children who suffer from unavoidable birth injuries are faced with astronomical medical bills, difficult therapies and permanent disability. Holding medical professionals accountable through medical malpractice lawsuits could reduce the financial burdens and ensure justice.

To be successful attorneys must prove that doctors or hospitals did not follow accepted standards of treatment when it came to labor and delivery. This is usually done through a thorough examination of medical records or expert witness testimony.

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy Also known as cerebral palsy, is a permanent disability caused by an injury to the central nervous system. This can occur during pregnancy (perinatal) or during early childhood. It affects a wide range of body movements. It may be mild, moderate, or severe in its severity. Its symptoms can vary by age, but the condition isn't progressive.

It isn't a medical condition that can be evaluated, unlike many others. A thorough and comprehensive assessment can help medical professionals determine if the child's condition is due to cerebral palsy. This includes a full neurologic and mobility evaluation.

The tests will assess the child's muscle tone, posture and balance, reflexes, capacity to move, and other factors that affect a child's mobility. Musculoskeletal examinations can reveal issues such as hip dislocation, scoliosis and contractures. A speech and language test will also show the child's development in terms of intellectual ability and their ability to make speech sounds.

Cerebral Palsy is diagnosed using neuroimaging which allows doctors to see the brain in great detail. It is a non-invasive method to determine the severity of brain damage. It does not allow doctors to predict the impact of the injury on a child's symptoms.

In some instances it is possible that a diagnosis of cerebral palsy may not be made until a child is at least a year old, as symptoms can change during this period. The classification of a disorder according to severity, topographical location, and muscle tone can be helpful in determining a child's level of impairment and influencing treatment.

Physical and occupational therapy are the most effective treatment options for Cerebral Palsy. These therapies can help improve the mobility of a child and reduce the risk of developing joint deformities, such as scoliosis. Speech therapy and adaptive equipment may assist the child with the daily tasks and help them to interact more effectively with their family and friends. There are a variety of options for financial aid based on the specific circumstances that lead to the child's condition. There are also charitable organizations and foundations that can ease the burden of paying for treatment and care.

Brachial Plexus Injury

A brachial-plexus injury occurs when the five nerves that branch from the neck spine to the spine are injured. These nerves transmit signals from the spine to the hand, shoulder and arm. Each side of the body has a brachial plexus. Some infants suffering from brachial plexus injuries will recover without treatment, but most will benefit from occupational and physical therapy. A smaller group of infants might require surgery to achieve excellent results.

A doctor can diagnose a baby with brachial plexus injuries based on the medical history and physical examination. Doctors can order specific imaging tests such as an MRI, CT scan or nerve conduction studies, however these tests are less accurate for infants. Doctors can also assess the strength and mobility of the muscles of a child's arms by doing gentle exercises for range of motion that help them track the development of their muscles over time.

The symptoms of a the plexus injury can vary based on the severity of the injury and which nerves are affected. The symptoms include a weak hand muscles, a reduced range of motion and a decreased sensation in the hand. Symptoms usually affect only one side of the body. However, in some cases, both sides can be affected.

Neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP) is the most common birth injury lawyer cost injury that affects the brachial plexus however it could also occur from other causes. Brachial plexus injuries are more frequent in babies who are large, who are in a breech birth position, or are pulled during birth. This type of injury could be seen in athletes who play contact sports like football and blunt trauma.

NBPP is diagnosed at an early age, usually within six to eight weeks following trustworthy birth injury lawyer. Most children will recover without intervention, however those who don't improve within a month need to be assessed by a team of experts. The teams typically consist up of an orthopedist for children along with a physiatrist and physical therapy.

Erb's Palsy

The brachial plexus (pronounced brake-ee-al) is a set of nerves that run from the spinal chord to the shoulder, then through the arm until the hand. This group of nerves can be damaged during delivery, causing weakness or paralysis in the affected arm. Erb's Palsy is the most frequent kind. It is caused by significant stretching or tearing the upper brachial nerves in the delivery.

A physician can diagnose Erb palsy by conducting an examination of the baby's hand. The doctor will look for a lack movement in the affected arm, a limp wrist, and a deficiency of Moro reflex (the infant's involuntary reaction to the reduction in head support). The health care professional could also request an imaging test, like an X-ray or ultrasound or a nerve test, like an electromyogram or a nerve conduction test.

In many cases, Erb's Palsy is caused by an inexperienced clinician applying excessive lateral traction to the infant during a forceps birth. This type of traction could be reduced by using the shorter second stage of labor or by having the mother lie on her back during a portion of the delivery. If the mother is delivered via C-section a doctor can reduce the risk of injury.

Other types of injuries to the brachial system can be a result of Erb's palsy. Klumpke palsy is a more severe form of this condition, which causes damage to the nerves of the lower brachial plexus. This type of 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 bent, pronated and extended at the wrist.

If your child is diagnosed with one of these conditions it is essential to talk with an attorney for medical malpractice right away. Beth has more than 18 years of experience in the birth and labor process and can assist you to determine if the doctor treating your child committed acts of negligence which may have caused these preventable injuries.

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) is a condition that occurs when an issue during birth reduces blood flow and oxygen to the infant. HIE is a serious illness that can result in permanent severe brain damage. The effects of HIE can vary from mild to severe, and typically begin within a few days after compassionate birth injury lawyer. HIE is one of the conditions that belong to the larger category of birth-related injuries known as neonatal encephalopathy (NE).

An infant may develop HIE due to complications during labor and delivery, including excessive bleeding in the mother's blood vessels as well as a breech Birth injury lawsuit consultation, a prolonged labor and delivery or a forceps delivery. A baby's weight loss could be the cause of HIE.

To diagnose HIE in infants, doctors look at the infant's APGAR score and any signs of neurological impairment. A low APGAR can suggest the need for immediate medical treatment. Doctors can conduct blood tests to assess the acid buildup in the umbilical cord, which indicates that a baby might have suffered from an oxygen shortage or a decrease in blood flow.

If the child is believed to be suffering from HIE doctors often try to combat it with the treatment known as therapeutic hypothermia. In this procedure the child is placed in a cool blanket and given medication to aid in sleep. During the cooling process doctors check the heart rate, breathing status and body temperature, as well as brain activity.

After the baby has fully re-warmed a magnetic resonance image (MRI) will be taken. MRIs are the most effective way to determine HIE and its particular injury pattern. The results of an MRI may reveal an injury time frame which can be helpful when trying to determine whether the child's symptoms may be caused by HIE.

After an HIE diagnosis infants will need to be monitored closely for the rest their lives. They'll see a pediatrician and neurologist, and may undergo physical, speech or occupational therapy to help them cope with their symptoms. The aim is to help these children reach their full potential, and to make as healthy as they can.