Birth Injury Case Evaluation
Parents of children with unavoidable birth injuries are faced with astronomical medical bills, daunting therapies and permanent disabilities. Holding medical providers accountable through medical malpractice claims could aid in easing the financial burdens and ensure justice.
In order to win the case attorneys must prove 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 disability caused by injuries to the developing central nervous system that occur in utero, at the time of birth (perinatal) or in early infancy. It affects a broad range of body movements. It can be mild, moderate or even severe in its severity. The symptoms can differ based on age, however it is not a progressive condition.
Like many other conditions it is not a testable condition. A thorough and comprehensive evaluation can help medical professionals determine if a child's illness stems from cerebral palsy. This includes a complete neurological and mobility evaluation.
The tests will assess the child's muscles, posture, balance, reflexes, ability to move, and other aspects that impact a child's movement. Musculoskeletal examinations can reveal issues like hip dislocation, scoliosis, and contractures. In addition, an evaluation of speech and language can indicate a child's level of intellectual development as well as speech sound production.
Cerebral Palsy is diagnosed using neuroimaging which allows doctors to see the brain in great detail. This is a noninvasive method to determine the severity of brain damage. However, it does not allow doctors to determine the impact of this injury on a child's symptoms.
Some children may not be diagnosed with cerebral palsy until several years old as the symptoms can vary. The classification of a disorder according to severity, topographical location, and muscle tone could be useful in determining a child's level of impairment and the impact it has on the treatment.
Physical and occupational therapy are the most effective treatments for Cerebral Palsy. These therapies can increase the mobility of children and decrease their chance of developing joint deformities, like scoliosis. Speech therapy and the use of adaptive equipment can assist in the child's daily activities and allow them to interact more fully with family members and others. Based on the specific circumstances of the child's condition there are a variety of types 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 Injuries
A brachial-plexus ailment occurs when the five nerves which originate from the neck to the spine are injured. These nerves transmit signals from the spine to the hand, shoulder and arm. There is a brachial plexus on both sides of the body. Some infants can recover without treatment, but the majority will benefit from physical therapy and occupational therapy. A smaller group of babies may require surgical intervention to achieve good results.
A baby who has an injury to the brachial area is diagnosed by their primary physician in light of their medical history and physical exam. Doctors can request special imaging tests, such as an MRI, CT scan or nerve conduction study, but these tests are not as appropriate for babies. Doctors can measure the strength and range of motion of the infant's arms by doing gentle exercises for range of motion. This allows them to track the recovery over time.
childbirth negligence lawyer of a plexus injury vary depending on the extent of the injury and the nerves are affected. The signs can include weakness of the arm, a lack of muscle movement and decreased sensation (feeling) in the hand. The symptoms typically affect only one side of the body. However, occasionally both sides may be affected.
Neonatal brachial-plexus palsy (NBPP) is the most frequent cause of a birth injury that affects the brachial plexus however it could also be caused by other causes. Babies who are obese or have a breech position or who are pulled forcibly during birth could be more at risk of suffering from a brachial injury. This type of injury could also occur in athletes who engage in contact sports such as football and blunt trauma.
NBPP is diagnosed at an early age, typically within six to eight weeks after birth. Most children will recover without intervention, however those who do not improve in a month's time 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 (brake-ee-al) the plexus is a nerve group that runs from the spinal cord to the shoulder, and then down the arm and into the hand. This group of nerves can be injured during delivery and cause weakness or paralysis to the affected arm. The most frequent type of this injury is called Erb's palsy. It is caused by significant stretching or tear of the upper brachial nerves in the birth.
A doctor can diagnose Erb's palsy by performing a physical examination of the infant's arm. The health care provider will be looking for a lack of movement in the affected arm, a weak wrist, and a deficiency of Moro reflex (the baby's involuntary response to a loss of head support). The health care professional could also recommend an imaging or nerve test like an X-ray, an electromyogram, or ultrasound, or a study of nerve conduction.
In many cases, Erb's palsy can occur when an inexperienced physician applies too much lateral pressure to the infant during delivery with forceps. This type of traction may be minimized by having the second phase of labor be less invasive or placing the mother on her back for a portion of the delivery. A doctor can also help in reducing the risk of injury by giving birth via C-section.
Many other types of brachial plexus injuries can occur in addition to Erb's palsy. Klumpke Palsy is the most severe form of this condition which involves damage to lower brachial nerves. This type of injury may be described as "waiter's tips" because the limb is hung down to the side, rotated medially, and pronated. It is also extended, flexed and flexed at the wrist.
It is important that you contact a medical malpractice lawyer immediately if your child has been diagnosed with any of these issues. Beth has over 18 years of experience in the field of birth and labor, and she can help determine if your child's doctor was negligent and could have led to these avoidable injuries.
Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy
Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) is also known as hypoxic ischemic brain damage, is a condition that occurs when a birth issue decreases the oxygen and blood supply to the baby. HIE is a serious disorder that can cause permanent serious brain damage. The effects of HIE can range from mild to severe, and they usually begin within a few days of birth. HIE is one of many conditions that fall into a larger category of birth-related injuries called neonatal encephalopathy (NE).
HIE can be caused by complications during labor and birth. These include excessive bleeding in the mother's blood vessels and forceps delivery, long labor and bleeding excessively. It's possible that a newborn might be suffering from an underlying condition such as a low birth weight that can cause HIE.
To identify HIE in infants, doctors look at the infant's APGAR scores and any indications of neurological impairment. A low APGAR score may indicate the need for immediate medical intervention. Doctors can use blood tests to determine the amount of acid that builds up in the umbilical chord, which indicates that a baby has been suffering from an oxygen deficiency or decreased blood flow.
If a child is suspected to have HIE the doctors usually try to treat it using a procedure known as therapeutic hypothermia. During this treatment the infant is placed into a cooling blanket, and medicine is given to help them sleep. During the cooling process, doctors continuously keep track of the heart rate, breathing status and body temperature, along with brain activity.
Once a baby has been fully warmed up, an electromagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan will be performed. MRIs are the most effective way to determine HIE and its specific injury pattern. An MRI may show a time-frame for the injury, which can be useful in determining whether the child's symptoms are caused by HIE.
If you are diagnosed with HIE babies must be monitored closely throughout their lives. They will see a neurologist as well as a neonatologist. They might be treated with physical, speech, or occupational therapy to cope with their symptoms. The goal is to assist these children reach their full potential, and to make them as healthy as possible.