birth trauma attorney Injury Case Evaluation

Parents of children with preventable birth injuries face astronomical medical bills, daunting therapies and permanent disability. Making medical professionals accountable through medical malpractice lawsuits could help ease the financial burden and bring justice.

To be successful lawyers must show that hospitals or doctors did not adhere to accepted standards of care in labor and delivery. This is usually accomplished by a thorough review of medical records, or expert witness testimony.

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy is a permanent motor disability caused by injuries to the developing central nervous system, which can occur in utero, at the time of birth (perinatal) or in the early stages of infanthood. It can affect a wide range of body movements, and the severity of the condition can range from moderate to severe. The condition's symptoms vary with age, but it is not progressive.

Unlike many other conditions, it is not a testable condition. However an extensive and thorough examination will help medical professionals determine whether or the child's condition is caused by cerebral palsy. This includes a full assessment of mobility and neurologic function.

The tests will assess the child's muscles, posture, balance, reflexes, capacity to move, and other factors that impact a child's movement. A musculoskeletal examination can identify hip dislocations, scoliosis, and contractures. Additionally a speech and language evaluation can indicate a child's level of development in terms of intelligence and speech production.

Neuroimaging, a type of imaging that permits doctors to examine the brain in greater detail is commonly used for diagnosing Cerebral Palsy. This is a noninvasive way to determine the severity of brain injury. It doesn't allow doctors to determine the effects of the injury on children's symptoms.

Children may not be diagnosed with cerebral palsy until several years old because symptoms can vary. Despite this the classification of a condition based on severity, topographical distribution and muscle tone is useful as a method of communicating a child's degree of impairment and influence treatment.

The most effective treatments for Cerebral Palsy include physical and occupational therapy. These therapies can improve a child’s mobility and reduce their chance of developing joint deformities like scoliosis. Speech therapy and adaptive equipment may help the child with the daily tasks and enable him or her to better interact with family and others. There are many options for financial aid based on the specific circumstances that lead to the child's condition. There are also charities and foundations that can ease the burden of paying for treatment and medical care.

Brachial Plexus Injuries

A brachial plexus injury can be the result of an injury to the five nerves that originate from the spinal cord in the neck and conduct signals from the spinal cord to the arm, shoulder and hand. The brachial plexus is located on each side of the body. Some infants with brachial plexus injuries will recover without treatment, however the majority will benefit from physical and occupational therapy. A smaller group of infants may require surgery to achieve excellent results.

A doctor can diagnose a baby with brachial plexus injuries on the basis of the medical history and physical examination. A doctor can also order special imaging tests, like an MRI or CT scan or nerve conduction study, although these tests are not as reliable in babies. Doctors can measure the strength and range of motion of the child's arms through gentle exercises for range of motion. This helps them track the recovery over time.

The symptoms of brachial-plexus injuries differ based on how severe the injury is and which nerves 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. Symptoms usually affect only one side of the body. However, in some cases, both sides can be affected.

The most frequently cited cause is Neonatal Brachial Palsy (NBPP), but it could be caused by other causes. Brachial plexus injuries are more common in large babies, those who are in a breech licensed Birth Injury attorneys position, or must be pulled during delivery. This type of injury could also occur in athletes who engage in contact sports, such as football and blunt trauma.

NBPP is a condition that is identified early, typically within six weeks of the birth. Most children will recover without intervention, however those that do not improve in a month's time need to be evaluated by an expert team. The teams typically consist of an orthopedic surgeon for children along with a physiatrist as well as physical therapy.

Erb's Palsy

The brachial plexus (pronounced brake-ee-al), is a grouping of nerves that extend from the spinal chord to the shoulder, then through the arm until the hand. If this nerve system becomes injured during delivery, it may cause weakness or paralysis in the affected arm. The most common type of this injury is Erb's palsy. It is caused by significant stretching or tear of the upper brachial nerves during delivery.

A doctor is able to diagnose Erb's paralysis through an examination of the infant's arm. The doctor will look for a lack in movement in the affected hand, a limping wrist, and a lack in Moro reflexes (the infant's involuntary reaction to a decrease in head support). The health care provider may also recommend an imaging or nerve test such as an X-ray or an electromyogram or ultrasound or study of nerve conduction.

In many cases, Erb's palsy is the result of an inexperienced clinician applying too much lateral traction to the baby during a forceps delivery. This type of traction can be reduced by having the second stage of labor be less time-consuming or placing the mother on her back for a portion of the delivery. filing a birth injury claim doctor can help to reduce the risk of injury by delivering by C-section.

Other types of brachial plexus injuries can occur in addition to Erb's palsy. Klumpke palsy is a more serious type of this condition that causes injuries to the lower brachial plexus nerves. This type of injury is often referred to as a "waiter's tip" posture due to the fact that the limb is hung 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 crucial to consult a medical obstetric malpractice lawyer attorney right away. Beth has more than 18 years of experience in the birth and labor process, and she can help determine if the doctor who treated your child committed acts of negligence which could have led to these avoidable injuries.

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) is also called hypoxic ischemic brain damage, is a condition that occurs when a birth issue reduces the oxygen and blood supply to the newborn. HIE is a serious illness that can cause permanent severe brain damage. The effects of HIE can vary from mild to severe and typically begin within a few days after maternal birth injury lawyer. HIE is an illness that is part of the larger category of birth-related injuries referred to as neonatal encephalopathy.

A baby can develop HIE from complications during labor and delivery, such as excessive bleeding in the mother's blood vessels, a breech birth, a prolonged labor and delivery, or a forceps delivery. A baby's low birth weight could be the cause of HIE.

To determine if a child has HIE doctors will analyze the infant's APGAR score and search for signs of a neurological impairment. A low APGAR could suggest the need for immediate medical treatment. Doctors may use blood tests to measure the amount of acid that builds up in the umbilical chord, which indicates that a baby has been suffering from an oxygen deficiency or a decreased flow of blood.

If a doctor suspects the child is suffering from HIE and suspects that they have it, they usually use a treatment called therapeutic hypothermia in order to treat the condition. In this procedure, the child is placed into an ice-cold blanket and medication is administered to help them sleep. During the cooling process, doctors keep track of the heart rate, breathing status and body temperature, along with brain activity.

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

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