Birth Injury Case Evaluation

Children who suffer from unavoidable birth injuries are faced with astronomical medical bills, difficult therapies and permanent disability. Medical malpractice claims can ease financial burdens, and provide justice.

To win a claim attorneys must show that the doctors or hospitals have violated the accepted standards of care during labor and birth. This is typically accomplished through a thorough review of medical records, or expert witness testimony.

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy, also known as cerebral palsy, is a permanent handicap caused by an injury to the central nervous system. It can occur during pregnancy (perinatal) or during early childhood. It can affect a wide range body movements, and its intensity can be moderate to severe. The symptoms may vary according to age, but the condition isn't progressive.

Like many other conditions it is not testable. Nevertheless an extensive and thorough assessment can help medical professionals determine whether or not a child's condition is caused by cerebral palsy. This includes a full neurologic and mobility evaluation.

The tests will assess the child's muscle tone, posture and balance, reflexes, ability to move and other factors that affect a child's mobility. A musculoskeletal examination can identify hip dislocations, scoliosis, and contractures. In addition an evaluation of speech and language can reveal a child's stage of intellectual development and speech sound production.

Cerebral Palsy is diagnosed using neuroimaging, which allows doctors to view the brain in great detail. This is a noninvasive method of assessing the extent of brain damage. However, it doesn't allow doctors to determine the impact of the injury lawyer near me on a child's symptoms.

In certain instances it is possible that a diagnosis of cerebral palsy cannot be made until the child is several years old, because symptoms can fluctuate during this period. Despite this however, a classification of a condition based on its severity, topographical distribution and muscle tone can be useful as a way to communicate a child's degree of impairment and influence the treatment.

Physical and occupational therapy are among the most effective treatments for Cerebral Palsy. These therapies can increase the mobility of a child and reduce their chance of developing joint deformities, like scoliosis. Additionally, speech therapy and the use of adaptive equipment can assist with the child's daily living activities and allow him or her to connect more effectively with family members and other. Based on the specific circumstances of the child's health there are a variety of forms of financial assistance available. There are also charities and foundations who can help pay for medical treatment and care.

Brachial Plexus Injuries

A brachial plexus lawyer injury near me can be caused by an injury to the five nerves that branch off from the spinal cord in the neck and transmit signals from the spinal cord to the shoulder, arm and hand. There is a brachial nerve on both sides of the body. Some infants with brachial plexus injuries will recover without treatment, however the majority will benefit from physical and occupational therapy. A smaller group of babies might require surgical intervention to achieve good injury lawyers near me results.

A baby who has an injury to the brachial area is diagnosed by their primary physician according to their medical history and physical exam. A doctor can order special imaging tests like an MRI, CT scan or nerve conduction tests, however these tests are less reliable for babies. Doctors can assess the strength and range of motion of the infant's arms by doing gentle range-of-motion exercises. This allows them to track the progress over time.

The signs and symptoms of brachial plexus injuries can vary based on how severe the injury is and the specific nerves affected. The symptoms include a weak hand and reduced muscle movement and decreased sensation in the hand. Often the symptoms affect one side of the body, however sometimes both sides are affected equally.

The most frequent cause is Neonatal Brachial Palsy (NBPP) however it could be caused by other causes. Brachial plexus injuries are more prevalent in babies who are large, who are born in a breech position, or have to be pulled during the birth. This type of best injury lawyer near me could be seen in athletes who engage in contact sports, such as football and blunt trauma.

NBPP is a condition that is diagnosed early on, usually within six weeks after birth. Most children recover without intervention, however those who do not improve within a month need to be evaluated by an expert team. These teams usually consist of an orthopedic surgeon for children along with a physiatrist as well as a physical therapy.

Erb's Palsy

The brachial plexus (pronounced brake-ee-al) is a collection of nerves that extend from the spinal cord to the shoulder, and then through the arm until the hand. The brachial plexus nerves may be damaged during delivery and cause weakness or paralysis in the affected arm. Erb's Palsy is the most frequent type. It is caused by a significant stretching or tearing the upper brachial nerves during the birth.

A physician can diagnose Erb's palsy by conducting an examination of the infant's arm. The health care provider looks for a lack of 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 provider may also request an imaging or nerve test like an X ray or an electromyogram, or ultrasound, or a study of nerve conduction.

In many cases, Erb's palsy can occur when an inexperienced doctor applies too much lateral pressure to the infant during forceps delivery. This type of traction can be reduced by having the second stage of labor be shorter or by having the mother lay on her back for a portion of the delivery. A doctor can help to reduce the risk of this type of injury by delivering by C-section.

Other brachial plexus injury is possible in addition to Erb's palsy. Klumpke palsy is a more serious type of this condition that involves injuries to the nerves of the lower brachial plexus. This kind of injury could be referred to as "waiter's tips" because the limb is held to the side, rotated to the medially and pronated. It is also extended, flexed and bent at the wrist.

If your child is diagnosed with one of these ailments it is crucial to speak with a medical malpractice attorney immediately. Beth has over 18 years of experience in the birth and labor process and can help determine if your child's doctor has committed negligence that could have led to these avoidable injuries.

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE), also known as hypoxic ischemic brain damage, occurs when a problem during birth decreases the oxygen and blood supply to the baby. HIE is a serious illness that can cause permanent, severe brain damage. The effects of HIE can vary from mild to extreme, and they usually begin within a few days after birth. HIE is a condition that belongs to the larger category of birth-related injuries, referred to as neonatal encephalopathy.

An infant may develop HIE due to complications during the labor and birth process, such as excessive bleeding in the mother's blood vessels or a breech birth prolonged labor and delivery or a forceps delivery. It is possible that a baby may have an underlying issue such as a low birth weight, which could lead to HIE.

To identify HIE in infants, doctors look at the infant's APGAR score and any signs of neurological impairment. A low APGAR could suggest the need for immediate medical attention. Doctors may also use blood tests to measure the level of acid in the umbilical artery, which is a sign that a baby suffers from an oxygen deficiency or a decrease in blood flow to the brain.

If a physician suspects that a child has HIE, they will often use a treatment called therapeutic hypothermia to combat the condition. In this method, the child is placed under a blanket that cools them, and medicine is given to help them sleep. During cooling, doctors will monitor the infant's heart rate, breathing, body temperature and brain activity.

Once a baby is fully restored to its original temperature and re-warmed, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is performed. MRIs are the most effective way to detect HIE and its particular injury lawyers near me pattern. An MRI can provide a time-frame for the injury, which can be useful in determining if a child's symptoms are due to HIE.

After an HIE diagnosis newborns will have to be closely monitored throughout their lives. They'll see a neonatologist and neurologist, and may 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 assist them in reaching their full potential.