Birth Injury Case Evaluation

Parents of children who suffer from birth injuries that are preventable face astronomical medical costs, difficult therapies, and permanent disabilities. Medical malpractice claims can reduce financial burdens and also provide justice.

To be successful, attorneys need to prove that hospitals or doctors did not adhere to accepted standards of care when it came to labor and delivery. This is usually done through extensive review of medical documents and expert witness testimony.

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy is also known as cerebral palsy, is a permanent impairment caused by a trauma to the central nervous system. It can occur during pregnancy (perinatal), or in early childhood. 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.

Like many other conditions it is not a testable condition. However an extensive and thorough examination can help medical professionals determine whether or the child's problem is caused by cerebral palsy. This includes a complete neurological and mobility assessment.

The evaluations will look at the child's muscle tone and balance, as well as their reactions and ability to move. Musculoskeletal exams can reveal problems like hip dislocation, scoliosis, and contractures. A speech and language test will also reveal a child's intellectual development as well as their ability to produce speech sounds.

Neuroimaging is a kind of imaging that allows doctors to examine the brain in detail is frequently used in diagnosing Cerebral Palsy. This is a noninvasive way of assessing the extent of brain damage. However, it doesn't allow doctors to determine the effect of that injury on the child's symptoms.

In certain instances it is possible that a diagnosis of cerebral palsy is not able to be made until a child is several years old, because symptoms can fluctuate throughout this period. However the classification of a condition based on severity, topographical distribution and muscle tone is useful as a method to convey a child's degree of impairment and influence the treatment.

The most effective treatments for Cerebral Palsy include physical and occupational therapy. These can help improve a child's mobility and reduce the risk of joint problems like scoliosis. Speech therapy and adaptive equipment can also aid the child in the daily tasks and help them to better interact with family members and other. There are several options for financial aid based on the specific circumstances that lead to the child's condition. There are also charity groups and foundations that can alleviate the burden of paying for treatment and medical care.

Brachial Plexus Injury

A brachial-plexus injury happens when the five nerves that connect to the neck to the spine are damaged. These nerves transmit signals from the spine to the hand, shoulder and arm. Each side of the body has a brachial-plexus. Some infants who suffer from brachial-plexus injuries recover without treatment, but most will benefit from occupational and physical therapy. A smaller group of infants may require surgery to achieve satisfactory results.

A doctor can identify a baby with brachial plexus injuries based on the medical history and physical examination. Doctors can also request special imaging tests like an MRI or CT scan or nerve conduction study however these tests are less reliable for babies. Doctors can test the strength and range of motion of a infant's arms by doing gentle exercises for range of motion. This helps them monitor the recovery over time.

The symptoms of a brachial strain can differ based on the severity of the injury and which nerves are affected. The symptoms include a weak hand and reduced muscle movement and a decreased sensation in the hand. Often the symptoms affect one side of the body, however sometimes both sides are affected equally.

The most common reason is Neonatal Brachial plexus Palsy (NBPP), but it can also be caused by other causes. Babies who are overweight, have a breech position or are forced to pull during delivery could be at a higher risk of suffering a brachial plexus injury. This type of injury is also common for athletes who participate in contact sports, like football, and from blunt trauma.

NBPP is a condition that can be identified early, typically within six weeks after birth. The majority of children will recover without intervention, but those that do not show improvement by one month should be assessed by a team who can manage the condition. The teams typically consist of a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, a physiatrist, and physical therapy.

Erb's Palsy

The brachial (brake-ee-al) the plexus is a group of nerves 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, causing weakness or paralysis to the affected arm. Erb's Palsy is the most common type. It is caused by a significant stretching or tear to the upper brachial nerves the birth injury lawsuit timeline.

A physician can diagnose Erb's palsy through an examination of the infant's arm. The health care provider will look for a lack movement in the affected arm, a limp wrist and a lack of Moro reflex (the infant's involuntary response to the lack of head support). The health professional might also request an imaging test, such as an ultrasound or X-ray, or a nerve test like an electromyogram or a nerve conduction test.

In many cases, Erb's palsy is caused by an untrained clinician applying too much lateral traction the baby during a forceps delivery. This type of traction could be decreased by using an earlier second stage of labor or by placing the mother on her back during a portion of the delivery. If the mother is delivered via C-section a doctor can reduce the chance of injury.

Several other types of injuries to the brachial system can be a result of Erb's palsy. Klumpke Palsy is the more severe form of this condition that is characterized by damage to the lower brachial nerves. This kind of injury is usually referred to as a "waiter's tip" position because the limb hangs down by 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 important to talk with an attorney for medical obstetric malpractice lawyer immediately. Beth has more than 18 years of specialist expertise in labor and birth, and can help determine whether the medical professional who treated your child was negligent and may have led to these preventable injuries.

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) occurs when a birth injury lawyers defect reduces blood flow and oxygen to the baby. HIE is a serious disorder that can result in permanent, severe brain damage. The effects of HIE can vary from mild to severe, and they usually begin within a few weeks after birth. HIE is a condition that is part of a larger group of birth-related injuries known as neonatal encephalopathy.

An infant may develop HIE due to complications during the labor and birth process, such as excessive bleeding in the mother's blood vessels, a breech birth, a prolonged labor and delivery or a forceps delivery. It's possible that a baby can have an underlying problem such as a low birth injury settlements weight, which could cause HIE.

To diagnose HIE doctors will analyze the infant's APGAR score and look for signs of a neurological impairment. A low APGAR could indicate the need for immediate medical attention. Doctors can conduct blood tests to assess the acid buildup in the umbilical cord, which is an indication that a baby has suffered from an oxygen shortage or decreased blood flow.

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. In this method, the child is placed into an ice-cold blanket and medicine is given to aid in their sleep. During cooling, doctors will check the infant's heart rate, body temperature, breathing and brain activity.

After the baby has fully re-warmed a magnetic resonance image (MRI) will be performed. MRIs are the best way to determine HIE and its particular injury pattern. The results of an MRI can sometimes show an injury time-frame, which is helpful in determining whether the child's symptoms may be due to HIE.

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