Birth Injury Case Evaluation

Children suffering from preventable birth injuries are faced with astronomical medical costs, difficult therapies and permanent disabilities. Medical malpractice claims can help to ease financial burdens, and offer justice.

To win the claim, attorneys need to prove that doctors or hospitals did not follow accepted standards of care in labor and delivery. This is usually accomplished by an in-depth review of medical records or expert witness testimony.

Cerebral palsy

Cerebral Palsy is a permanent motor impairment caused by injuries to the immature central nervous system, which can occur in utero, during birth (perinatal) or in early infancy. It affects a variety of body movements and can be mild, moderate or even severe in severity. Its symptoms can vary by age, but it is not a progressive condition.

In contrast to other conditions, it is not testable. A thorough and comprehensive assessment will allow medical professionals to determine if a child's condition is caused by cerebral palsy. This includes a thorough assessment of mobility and neurological issues.

The tests will examine the child's muscle strength and balance, and also their reactions and ability to move. A musculoskeletal exam can detect hip dislocations, scoliosis and contractures. Additionally an evaluation of speech and language can help determine a child's level of development in terms of intelligence and speech sound production.

Neuroimaging, an imaging that permits doctors to view the brain in detail, is often used in diagnosing Cerebral Palsy. It is a non-invasive method of assessing the extent of brain damage. It does not allow doctors determine the effects of the injury on a child's symptoms.

In some cases it is possible that a diagnosis of cerebral palsy may not be made until the child is several years old, since symptoms may fluctuate during this period. The classification of a disorder by severity, topographic location and muscle tone can be helpful in determining a child's level of impairment and the impact it has on treatment.

The most effective treatment options for Cerebral Palsy include physical and occupational therapy. These therapies can improve a child’s mobility and reduce their risk of developing joint deformities like scoliosis. Speech therapy and adaptive equipment can help the child with their daily activities and help them to be more social with their family and friends. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the child's health there are a variety of forms of financial assistance available. This includes charities and foundations that can ease the burden of the cost of a child's treatment and care.

Brachial Plexus Injury

A brachial plexus injury is the result of an injury to the five nerves that branch off from the spinal cord at the neck and transmit signals from the spinal cord to the shoulder, arm and hand. There is a brachial plexus on each side of the body. Some infants recover without treatment but the majority will benefit from occupational and physical therapy. A smaller group of babies might require surgery to achieve satisfactory results.

A doctor is able to diagnose a baby's 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 a CT scan or nerve conduction studies, although these tests are not as reliable for babies. Doctors can also assess the strength and mobility of the muscles of a child's arms by doing gentle exercises for range of motion, which helps them track the progress of recovery over time.

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

Neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP) is the most frequent birth injury that affects the brachial plexus however, it can occur from other causes. Babies who are overweight, have a breech position or must be forcibly pulled during delivery could be at higher risk of suffering from a brachial Injury. This type of injury can also occur in athletes who engage in contact sports like football and blunt trauma.

NBPP is a condition that is diagnosed early on, usually within six weeks of birth injury attorney reviews. Most children recover without intervention, however those who don't improve within a month have to be evaluated by a team of experts. The teams typically consist up of an orthopedist for children along with a physiatrist and 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 down the arm to the hand. This group of nerves can be injured during delivery and cause weakness or paralysis in the affected arm. The most frequent type of this injury is Erb's palsy. It is caused by significant stretching or tearing of upper brachial plexus nerves during the labor and birth injury litigation process.

A doctor is able to diagnose Erb's paralysis by conducting a physical examination of the infant's arm. The doctor will be looking for a lack of movement in the affected arm, a weak wrist and a lack of Moro reflex (the baby's involuntary response to the reduction in head support). The health care professional may also order an imaging test, such as an ultrasound or X-ray, or a nerve test, like an electromyogram or an examination of nerve conduction.

In many cases, Erb's palsy occurs when an inexperienced clinician applies too much lateral pressure to the infant during forceps delivery. This type of traction can be reduced by using an earlier second stage of labor or having the mother lie on her back during a portion of the delivery. When delivering via C-section, doctors can lower the risk of injury.

Other brachial plexus injuries could occur in addition to Erb's Palsy. Klumpke palsy is a more severe form of this condition that causes damage to the brachial plexus nerves in the lower region. This type of injury may be referred to as "waiter's tips" because the limb is held to the side, rotated medially and pronated. It also is flexed, extended and flexed at the wrist.

It is important that you seek out a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible when your child has been diagnosed with one of these ailments. Beth has more than 18 years of experience in specialized birth injury lawyers experience in labor and delivery and can assist you in determining whether your child's doctor was negligent and could have resulted in these injuries that could have been prevented.

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE), also called hypoxic ischemic brain damage, is a condition that occurs when a birth injury litigation process defect reduces blood and oxygen supply to the newborn. HIE is a serious illness that can result in permanent severe brain damage. The effects of HIE can range from mild to severe and they usually begin within a few days after birth. HIE is an illness that is part of a larger group of birth injury legal options-related injuries, referred to as neonatal Encephalopathy.

HIE can be caused due to complications during birth and labor. These can include excessive bleeding in the mother's blood vessels, forceps delivery, prolonged labor and bleeding excessively. A baby's low birth weight could be the cause of HIE.

To identify HIE in infants, doctors will examine the infant's APGAR scores as well as any signs of neurological impairment. A low APGAR can be a sign that you need immediate medical treatment. Doctors may use blood tests to determine the acid buildup in the umbilical cord, which can indicate that a baby might have been suffering from an oxygen deficiency or a decreased flow of blood.

If the child is suspected to have HIE doctors often attempt to treat it with a procedure known as therapeutic hypothermia. In this procedure, the child is placed under a blanket that cools them, and a medication is administered to help them sleep. During the cooling process, doctors be able to monitor the infant's heartbeat, breathing, body temperature and brain activity.

After the baby has been fully re-warmed a magnetic resonance image (MRI) will be taken. MRIs are best for identifying HIE and its injury pattern. An MRI can provide a time-frame for the injury, which could be useful in determining if the child's symptoms are related to HIE.

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