Birth Injury Case Evaluation

Children suffering from preventable birth injuries are faced with astronomical medical expenses, challenging treatments and permanent disabilities. The process of holding medical providers accountable through medical malpractice claims may help ease the financial burden and bring justice.

In order to win the case lawyers must show that hospitals or doctors did not follow accepted standards of care in labor and delivery. This is usually accomplished by a thorough review of medical records and expert witness testimony.

Cerebral palsy

Cerebral Palsy is a permanent motor impairment caused by injuries to the developing central nervous system that happen in utero, during delivery (perinatal) or in the early stages of infanthood. It affects a wide range of body movements. It can be mild, moderate or severe in severity. The symptoms can differ based on age, but the condition isn't progressive.

Like many other conditions it isn't a condition that can be tested. However an extensive and thorough examination can help medical professionals determine whether or the child's problem is caused by cerebral palsy. This includes a thorough assessment of mobility and neurological issues.

The tests will look at the child's muscles, posture, balance, reflexes, capacity to move, and other aspects that affect a child's mobility. A musculoskeletal examination can identify problems like hip dislocation, scoliosis and contractures. A speech and language assessment will also show a child's intellectual development as well as their ability to make speech sounds.

Cerebral Palsy is diagnosed using neuroimaging which allows doctors to view the brain in detail. It is a noninvasive method to assess the extent of brain injury. It doesn't allow doctors to determine the effects of the injury on a child's symptoms.

Children may not be diagnosed with cerebral palsy until they are several years old, as symptoms can vary. The classification of a disorder by severity, topographic location and muscle tone can be helpful in determining the severity of impairment and impacting the treatment.

The most effective treatments for Cerebral Palsy include physical and occupational therapy. They can aid in improving the mobility of children and decrease the chance of developing joint deformities such as scoliosis. Speech therapy and adaptive equipment can aid the child in the daily tasks and enable him or her to interact more effectively with family members and other. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the child's condition there are a variety of forms of financial assistance available. This includes charities and foundations that help ease the burden of paying for a child's treatment and care.

Brachial Plexus Injuries

A brachial plexus injury can be caused by an injury claim lawyer to the five nerves that originate from the spinal cord in the neck and conduct signals from the spinal cord to the shoulder, arm and hand. Each side of the body has a brachial plexus. Some infants who suffer from brachial-plexus injuries will heal without treatment, however the majority will benefit from physical and occupational therapy. A smaller group of infants might require surgery to achieve good injury lawyers near me results.

A doctor can identify a baby with brachial plexus injury based on the medical history and physical examination. A doctor may also order special imaging tests, like an MRI or a CT scan or nerve conduction study however, these tests are less accurate in infants. Doctors can measure the strength and range of motion of a infant's arms by doing gentle exercises to increase range of motion. This allows them to track the recovery over time.

The symptoms of a the plexus injury can vary based on the severity of the injury and which nerves are affected. The symptoms include a weak hand, reduced muscle movement, and decreased sensation in the hand. The symptoms typically affect only one side of the body. However, occasionally both sides can be affected.

Neonatal brachial-plexus palsy (NBPP) is the most frequent cause of birth injuries that affects the brachial nerve, but it can also result from other causes. Babies who are obese, have a breech position or are forced to pull during birth could be at higher risk of a brachial plexus Injury. This type of injury can also occur in athletes who participate in contact sports like football and 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 don't improve in a month's time need to be evaluated by a specialized team. These teams are typically made by an orthopedist for children along with a physiatrist and physical therapy.

Erb's Palsy

The brachial plexus (pronounced brake-ee-al) is a collection of nerves that run from the spinal cord to the shoulder, and down the arm to the hand. This nerve group can be damaged during delivery, causing weakness or paralysis to the affected arm. The most commonly reported form of this injury attorneys near me is Erb's palsy. It is caused by a significant stretching or tearing of upper brachial plexus nerves during the labor and birth.

A doctor can identify Erb palsy by conducting an examination of the baby's hand. 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 response to a loss of head support). The health care professional could also order an imaging test, such as an X-ray or ultrasound or a nerve test such as an electromyogram, or a nerve conduction study.

In many cases, Erb's paralysis is caused by an untrained clinician applying too much lateral traction to the infant during a forceps birth. This type of traction can be minimized by having an earlier second stage of labor or by having the mother lie on her back for a portion of the delivery. When delivering via C-section, doctors can lower the risk of injury.

Several other types of injuries to the brachial system can occur in addition to Erb's palsy. Klumpke Palsy is the most severe form of this condition that is characterized by damage to the lower brachial nerves. This kind of injury could be referred to as "waiter's tips" because the limb is hung down by the side, rotated to the medially and pronated. It also is extended, flexed and bent at the wrist.

It is crucial to seek out a medical malpractice lawyer near me injury as soon as you can in the event that your child is diagnosed with one of these conditions. Beth has over 18 years of experience in labor and birth and can assist you to determine if the doctor who treated your child has committed negligence that could have led to these avoidable injuries.

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) is also known as hypoxic ischemic brain damage, happens when a birth issue reduces blood and oxygen supply to the baby. HIE is a serious condition that can cause permanent severe brain damage. The effects of HIE can vary from mild to severe and typically begin within a few days of birth. HIE is an illness that is part of the larger category of birth-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, a breech birth, prolonged labor and delivery or a forceps delivery. A baby's low birth weight could be the cause of HIE.

To diagnose HIE, doctors will evaluate the infant's APGAR score and look for signs of neurological impairment. A low APGAR score may indicate a need for immediate medical intervention. Doctors can also use tests on blood to determine acid build-up in the umbilical cord which can indicate that a baby has suffered from an oxygen shortage or decreased blood flow to the brain.

If a physician suspects that the child is suffering from HIE and suspects that they have it, they usually employ a treatment known as therapeutic hypothermia in order to treat the condition. During this treatment the infant is placed in an ice-cold blanket and medication is administered to help them sleep. During cooling, doctors will be able to monitor the infant's heartbeat and breathing, body temperature and brain activity.

After the baby has been fully re-warmed a magnetic resonance image (MRI) will be taken. MRIs are the best method to detect HIE and its specific lawyer injury near me pattern. An MRI may show a time-frame for the injury, which can be helpful in determining if the child's symptoms are related to HIE.

Following a diagnosis of HIE babies must be closely monitored for the rest of their lives. They'll see a pediatrician and neurologist, and could receive physical, speech and 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.