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Birth Injury Case Evaluation

Parents of children with preventable birth injury legal professional injuries face astronomical medical bills, difficult therapies and permanent disabilities. Holding medical providers accountable through medical malpractice claims could reduce the financial burden and bring justice.

In order to win a case attorneys must show that the hospitals or doctors did not follow accepted standards of care during labor and delivery. This is often accomplished through extensive review of medical records and 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 can affect a broad range of body movements and its intensity can be moderate to severe. The condition's symptoms differ with age, however it's not progressive.

It isn't a medical condition that can be evaluated like many other. Nevertheless, a thorough and comprehensive assessment can aid medical professionals in determining whether or the child's problem is due to cerebral palsy. This includes a complete mobility and neurological assessment.

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

Cerebral Palsy is diagnosed using neuroimaging, which allows doctors to look at the brain in a detailed manner. It is a non-invasive method to determine the severity of brain damage. It doesn't allow doctors to to predict the impact of the injury on a child's symptoms.

In certain instances the diagnosis of cerebral palsy is not able to be made until the child is at least a year old, since symptoms may fluctuate during this time. The classification of a disorder in terms of 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 among the most effective treatment options for Cerebral Palsy. They can aid in improving a child's mobility and reduce the chance of developing joint deformities such as scoliosis. In addition, speech therapy and the use of adaptive equipment can aid in the child's daily activities and allow them to interact more fully with family members and others. There are several options for financial aid based on the circumstances surrounding the child's condition. This includes charity groups and foundations that help ease the burden of paying for treatment and care.

Brachial Plexus Injury

A brachial-plexus injury happens when the five nerves that connect to the neck spine to the spine are damaged. These nerves transmit signals from the spine to the hand, shoulder and arm. The brachial plexus is located on both sides of the body. Some infants suffering from brachial plexus injuries will heal without treatment, but the majority will benefit from physical and occupational therapy. A smaller proportion of infants may require surgery to get excellent results.

A baby who has an injury to the brachial area is diagnosed by their primary care doctor based on their medical history and physical examination. Doctors can order specific imaging tests, such as an MRI, CT scan or nerve conduction studies, however these tests aren't as reliable for babies. Doctors can also assess the strength and mobility of the child's muscles in their arms by performing gentle range of motion exercises which aids in tracking the progress of recovery over time.

The symptoms of a the plexus injury can vary based on the extent of the injury as well as which nerves are affected. The signs include a weak arm muscles, a reduced range of motion and a decrease in sensation in the hand. Symptoms usually affect only one side of the body. However, sometimes both sides can be affected.

The most frequent cause is Neonatal Brachial Plexus Palsy (NBPP), but it can also be caused by other causes. Babies who are obese or have a breech position or must be forcibly pulled during delivery could be at higher risk of suffering a brachial plexus Injury. This kind of injury is also common for athletes who engage in contact sports like football, and also from blunt trauma.

NBPP is a condition that can be diagnosed early on, usually within six weeks of the birth. Most children will recover without intervention, but those who are not able to improve by the end of a month should be evaluated by a team that can manage the condition. The teams typically consist of an orthopedic surgeon for children, a physiatrist, and a physical therapy.

Erb's Palsy

The brachial (brake-ee-al) brachial plexus is a group of nerves that run from the spinal cord to the shoulder, and then down the arm into the hand. This group of nerves can be damaged during delivery and cause weakness or paralysis of the affected arm. Erb's palsy is the most commonly reported type. It is caused by a significant stretching or tearing of the upper brachial plexus nerves during labor and delivery.

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

In many cases, Erb's Palsy is caused by an inexperienced clinician applying excessive lateral traction to the baby during a forceps delivery. This kind of traction can be minimized by having an earlier second stage of labor or having the mother lie on her back during part of the delivery. A doctor can also help to reduce the risk of injury by having the baby delivered via C-section.

Other brachial plexus injuries are possible in addition to Erb's Palsy. Klumpke palsy is a more serious form of this condition that involves damage to the lower brachial plexus nerves. This type 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.

It is essential to contact a lawyer for medical malpractice lawyer malpractice immediately when 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 assist you to determine if the doctor who treated your child was negligent and could have led to these preventable injuries.

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) is also called hypoxic ischemic brain damage, occurs when a problem during birth reduces blood and oxygen supply to the infant. HIE is a serious brain disorder that can cause permanent brain damage. HIE's effects may be mild or severe and usually begin within a few weeks of birth. HIE is among the many ailments that fall under a larger group of birth-related injuries called neonatal encephalopathy (NE).

An infant may develop HIE from complications during labor and delivery, including excessive bleeding in the mother's blood vessels or a breech birth injury advocate a prolonged labor and delivery or a forceps delivery. A baby's weight loss may be the reason for HIE.

To determine if there is HIE in infants, doctors take a look at the infant's APGAR score and any signs of neurological impairment. A low APGAR score may indicate the need for immediate medical intervention. Doctors can use blood tests to measure the buildup of acid in the umbilical chord, which indicates that a baby has been suffering from an oxygen deficiency or a decrease in blood flow.

If the child is suspected of having HIE, doctors will often attempt to treat it with the treatment known as therapeutic hypothermia. During this treatment the infant is placed in a cool blanket and given medication to help him or her sleep. During the cooling process, doctors keep track of the heart rate, breathing condition and body temperature, in addition to brain activity.

Once a baby is fully warmed up, an electromagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is performed. MRIs are the most effective way to determine HIE and its specific injury pattern. An MRI could provide a time-frame for the injury, which can be useful in determining whether a child's symptoms are related to HIE.

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