Birth Injury Case Evaluation

Children who suffer from unavoidable birth injuries are faced with astronomical medical bills, difficult therapies and permanent disabilities. Making medical providers accountable through medical obstetric malpractice lawyer lawsuits could reduce financial burdens and provide justice.

In order to win a case lawyers must prove that the hospital or doctor did not follow accepted standards of care during labor and birth injury lawsuit. This is usually accomplished through extensive review of medical documents and expert witness testimony.

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy, also called cerebral palsy is a permanent disability caused by an injury to the central nervous system. It can happen during pregnancy (perinatal), or in the early years of childhood. It affects a variety of body movements. It may be mild, moderate or severe in intensity. The symptoms can differ based on age, however the condition isn't progressive.

It isn't a medical condition that can be evaluated, unlike many others. However an extensive and thorough examination can help medical professionals determine whether or the child's condition is caused by cerebral palsy. This includes a full neurological and mobility assessment.

The tests will assess the child's muscle tone, posture and balance, reflexes, ability to move, and other aspects that affect a child's mobility. A musculoskeletal exam can detect hip dislocations, scoliosis, and contractures. A speech and language evaluation will also show a child's intellectual development and their ability to produce speech sounds.

Cerebral Palsy is diagnosed using neuroimaging, which allows doctors to view the brain in great detail. This is a non-invasive method to determine the severity of brain injury. However, it doesn't permit doctors to predict the impact of this injury on a child's symptoms.

Some children aren't diagnosed with cerebral palsy until they are several years old because symptoms can vary. However however, a classification of a condition based on severity, topographical distribution and muscle tone is useful as a method of communicating the severity of impairment in a child and influence treatment.

Physical and occupational therapy are among the most effective treatments for Cerebral Palsy. These therapies can help improve the mobility of a child and reduce the risk of developing joint deformities, like scoliosis. Additionally, speech therapy and the use of adaptive equipment can help with daily activities and allow them to connect more effectively with family members and other. There are many financial aid options available depending on the circumstances surrounding a child's condition. There are also charitable organizations and foundations that can ease the burden of paying for treatment and medical care.

Brachial Plexus Injuries

A brachial-plexus ailment occurs when the five nerves that originate from the neck to the spine are damaged. These nerves transmit signals from the spine to the hand, shoulder and arm. There is a brachial nerve on each side of the body. Some infants suffering from brachial plexus injuries will heal without treatment, however the majority will benefit from physical and occupational therapy. A smaller group of babies might require surgery to get the best results.

A doctor can identify a baby with brachial plexus injury 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 reliable for babies. Doctors can also assess the strength and flexibility of the muscles of children's arms by performing gentle range of motion exercises, which helps them track the development of their muscles over time.

The symptoms of brachial-plexus injuries differ based on the severity of the injury and the specific nerves affected. The signs can include weakness of the arm, a lack of muscle movement and decreased sensation (feeling) in the hand. The symptoms usually affect just one side of the body. However, sometimes both sides can be affected.

The most frequently cited reason is Neonatal Brachial plexus Palsy (NBPP), but it could be caused by other causes. Babies who are obese and have a breech posture or are forced to pull during delivery could be at a higher risk of suffering a brachial plexus Injury. This type of injury can also happen to athletes who participate in contact sports such as football and blunt trauma.

NBPP is diagnosed at an early age, typically within six to eight weeks of birth. Most children recover without intervention, but those who do not improve within a month need to be assessed by a specialized team. These teams are typically made by an orthopedist for children, a physiatrist and a physical therapist.

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. This group of nerves can be damaged during delivery, causing weakness or paralysis to the affected arm. Erb's Palsy is the most common kind. It is caused by a significant stretching or tearing the upper brachial nerves during delivery.

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

In many cases, Erb’s palsy occurs when an inexperienced physician applies too much lateral tension to the infant during the forceps delivery. This kind of traction can be decreased by using the shorter second stage of labor, or by placing the mother on her back during part of the delivery. If the mother is delivered via C-section doctors can decrease the chance of injury.

Other brachial plexus injury is possible in addition to Erb's palsy. Klumpke palsy is a more serious form of this condition that causes damage to the nerves of the lower brachial plexus. This kind of injury is commonly referred to 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 one of these conditions it is crucial to consult an attorney for medical malpractice right away. Beth has over 18 years of experience in the field of birth and labor and can help determine if the doctor who treated your child has committed obstetrics negligence attorney that may have caused these preventable injuries.

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) is also called hypoxic ischemic brain damage, is a condition that occurs when a birth defect reduces the oxygen and blood supply to the baby. HIE is an extremely serious brain condition that can lead to permanent brain damage. The effects of HIE can range from mild to extreme, and typically begin within a few weeks after birth injury advocate. HIE is an illness that is part of a larger group of birth injury law firm-related injuries referred to as neonatal encephalopathy.

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, an extended labor and delivery, or a forceps delivery. It's possible that a baby might be suffering from an underlying condition like low birth weight that could lead to HIE.

To diagnose HIE doctors will analyze the infant's APGAR scores and look for signs of a neurological impairment. A low APGAR score could indicate a need for immediate medical intervention. Doctors may use blood tests to assess the buildup of acid in the umbilical cord, which indicates that a baby may have been suffering from an oxygen deficiency or a decrease in blood flow.

If an infant is suspected to have HIE doctors often try to treat it using a treatment known as therapeutic hypothermia. In this procedure the child is placed in a cool blanket and given medication to help him or her sleep. During the cooling process, doctors check the infant's heart rate and body temperature, breathing and brain activity.

Once a baby has been fully warmed up, an electromagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan will be performed. MRIs are the best way to identify HIE and the pattern of its injury. An MRI can provide a time frame for the injury, which could be useful in determining if a child's symptoms are due to HIE.

After a diagnosis of HIE, babies should be monitored closely throughout their lives. They will see a neurologist as well as a neonatologist. They might be treated with physical, speech, and occupational therapy in order to manage their symptoms. The goal is to get the children as healthy as they can and help them achieve their full potential.