Birth Injury Case Evaluation

Children suffering from preventable birth injuries are faced with astronomical medical expenses, challenging treatments and permanent disabilities. Medical malpractice claims can reduce financial burdens and provide justice.

To be successful, attorneys injurys need to prove that doctors or hospitals did not adhere to accepted standards of care in labor and delivery. This is often accomplished through extensive review of medical records and expert witness testimony.

Cerebral palsy

Cerebral Palsy is permanent motor impairment caused by injuries to the developing central nervous system that occur in utero, at the time of birth (perinatal) or in early infancy. It affects a variety of body movements. It may be mild, moderate, or severe in severity. Its symptoms can vary by age, but the condition isn't progressive.

It isn't a medical condition that can be evaluated like many other. A thorough and comprehensive assessment will allow medical professionals to determine if a child's illness is caused by cerebral palsy. This includes a full neurologic and mobility evaluation.

The tests will look at the child's muscle tone, posture and balance, reflexes, capacity to move and other factors that influence a child's movements. Musculoskeletal exams can reveal hip dislocations, scoliosis and contractures. Additionally a speech and language evaluation can help determine a child's level of intellectual development as well as speech production.

Cerebral Palsy is diagnosed using neuroimaging, which allows doctors to see the brain in a detailed manner. It is a non-invasive method to assess the extent of brain damage. However, it does not allow doctors to determine the effect of that injury on a child's symptoms.

Some children aren't diagnosed with cerebral palsy until several years old, as symptoms can fluctuate. Despite this the classification of a condition based on severity of the condition, topographic distribution and muscle tone can be useful as a method to convey the severity of impairment in a child and influence treatment.

The most effective treatments for Cerebral Palsy include physical and occupational therapy. These therapies can help improve the mobility of a child and reduce their chance of developing joint deformities, such as scoliosis. Speech therapy and the use of adaptive equipment can help in the child's daily activities and allow him or her to connect more effectively with family members and others. Based on the specific circumstances of the child's health, there are also several kinds of financial aid available. There are also charitable organizations and foundations that can help ease the burden of paying for treatment and care.

Brachial Plexus Injury

A brachial-plexus injury attorneys near me occurs when the five nerves that connect to the neck to the spine are damaged. These nerves transmit signals from the spine to the shoulder, hand and arm. The brachial plexus is located on both sides of the body. Some infants who suffer from brachial-plexus injuries recover without treatment, however the majority will benefit from physical and occupational therapy. A smaller percentage of infants might require surgery to achieve satisfactory results.

A doctor can diagnose a baby with brachial plexus injuries based on the medical history and physical examination. A doctor can order special imaging tests such as an MRI, CT scan or nerve conduction studies, however these tests are not as accurate for infants. Doctors can test the strength and range of motion of the child's arms by performing gentle exercises for range of motion. This helps them track the progress over time.

The signs and symptoms of a brachial strain can differ based on the extent of the injury as well as which nerves are affected. Symptoms can include weakness of the arm, a lack of muscle movement, and diminished sensation (feeling) in the hand. Most often, the symptoms affect just one side of the body, however often both sides are affected equally.

The most common cause is Neonatal Brachial Plexus Palsy (NBPP) however it can be caused by other causes. Babies who are obese or have a breech position or are forced to pull during delivery could be at higher risk of a brachial plexus Injury. This type of injury lawyer could also occur in athletes who engage in contact sports like football and blunt trauma.

NBPP is an illness that can be diagnosed early, usually within six weeks after birth. Most children will recover without intervention, but those who don't improve within a month have to be evaluated by a team of experts. These teams are usually made comprising a pediatric orthopedist, a physiatrist and a physical therapy.

Erb's Palsy

The brachial plexus (pronounced brake-ee-al) is a set of nerves running from the spinal cord to the shoulder, and then through the arm until the hand. This nerve group can be damaged during delivery and 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 the labor and birth.

A doctor can identify Erb palsy through a physical exam of the infant's hand. The doctor will look for a lack movement in the affected arm, a limp wrist and lack of Moro reflex (the baby's involuntary response to a loss of head support). The health care professional could 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 a result of an inexperienced clinician applying too much lateral traction the baby during a forceps delivery. This type of traction can be lessened by having the second stage of labor be less invasive or having the mother lay on her back for a portion of the delivery. By delivering via C-section, a doctor can reduce the chance of injury.

Other brachial plexus injuries are possible in addition to Erb’s palsy. Klumpke Palsy is the more severe form of this condition that is characterized by damage to the lower brachial nerves. This type of injury law firm can be described as "waiter's tips" because the limb is suspended by the side, rotated medially, and pronated. It also is flexed, extended and flexed at the wrist.

It is essential to contact a medical malpractice lawyer Injury Near me immediately if your child has been diagnosed with any of these issues. Beth has over 18 years of experience in the birth and labor process and can help determine if the doctor treating your child committed acts of negligence which could have led to these preventable injuries.

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a condition that occurs when a birth issue reduces blood flow and oxygen to the infant. HIE is a serious brain condition that can lead to permanent brain damage. The effects of HIE can be either severe or mild, and usually start within a few weeks of birth. HIE is among the many conditions that fall into a larger group of birth-related injuries known as neonatal encephalopathy (NE).

A baby can develop HIE from 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 forceps delivery. It is possible that a baby might be suffering from an underlying condition such as a low birth weight, which could cause HIE.

To diagnose HIE, doctors will evaluate the infant's APGAR scores and look for signs of neurological impairment. A low APGAR could suggest the need for immediate medical attention. Doctors can use blood tests to assess the amount of acid that builds up in the umbilical chord, which is an indication that a baby might have been suffering from an oxygen shortage or a decrease in blood flow.

If a physician suspects that a child is suffering from HIE, they will often use a treatment called therapeutic hypothermia in order to treat the condition. In this method, the child is placed into a cooling blanket, and a medication is administered to help them sleep. During the cooling process doctors will continuously keep track of the heart rate, breathing status and body temperature, along with brain activity.

After the baby has 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 show the time frame of injury which can be helpful when trying to determine whether the child's symptoms may be caused by HIE.

After a HIE diagnosis newborns will have to be closely monitored for the rest 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 these children as healthy as is possible and help them achieve their full potential.