Birth Injury Case Evaluation
Parents of children who suffer from preventable birth injuries face astronomical medical expenses, challenging therapies, and permanent disabilities. The process of holding medical providers accountable through medical malpractice claims could reduce the financial burden and bring justice.
To win a claim lawyers must prove that the hospitals or doctors have violated the accepted standards of care during labor and birth. This is usually done 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 embryonic central nervous system that occur in utero, during birth (perinatal) or in early infancy. It affects a wide range of body movements. It can be mild, moderate, or severe in its severity. The symptoms can differ based on age, but it is not a progressive condition.
Unlike many other conditions, it is not a testable condition. A thorough and thorough evaluation will allow medical professionals to determine if a child's condition is caused by cerebral palsy. This includes a full neurological and mobility assessment.
The tests will assess the child's muscles, posture, balance, reflexes, ability to move, and other aspects that impact a child's movement. A musculoskeletal examination can identify hip dislocations, scoliosis and contractures. A speech and language evaluation will also reveal the child's intellectual development as well as their ability to make speech sounds.
Neuroimaging, an imaging that allows doctors to see the brain in greater detail, is often used in diagnosing Cerebral Palsy. This is a noninvasive way to assess the extent of brain injury. However, it doesn't allow doctors to determine the effect of that injury on a child's symptoms.
Some children may not be diagnosed with cerebral palsy until several years old because symptoms can change. However however, a classification of a condition based on its severity as well as topographical distribution and tone is useful as a way to communicate the severity of impairment in a child and influence treatment.
Physical and occupational therapy are the most effective treatments for Cerebral Palsy. These therapies can improve a child’s mobility and reduce the risk of developing joint deformities such as scoliosis. Speech therapy and the use of adaptive equipment can help in the child's daily activities and allow them to connect more effectively with family members and other. Based on the circumstances that surround the child's health There are also a variety of types of financial assistance available. This includes charities and foundations that can alleviate the burden of paying for a child's treatment and care.
Brachial Plexus Injury
A brachial plexus injury can be caused by an injury to the five nerves that originate from the spinal cord in the neck and transmit signals from the spinal cord to the arm, shoulder and hand. There is a brachial plexus on each side of the body. Some infants who suffer from brachial-plexus injuries will heal without treatment, but the majority will benefit from physical and occupational therapy. A smaller group of babies may require surgical intervention to get the best results.
A baby with a brachial plexus injury is diagnosed by their primary physician based on their medical history and physical examination. A doctor can order special imaging tests, such as an MRI, CT scan or nerve conduction studies, however these tests are not as reliable for babies. Doctors can also assess the strength and flexibility of the muscles of a child's arms by performing gentle range of motion exercises, which helps them track recovery over time.
The symptoms of a plexus injury vary depending on the extent of the injury and which nerves are affected. The signs can include weakness of the arm, a lack of movement of the muscles, and a decrease in sensation (feeling) in the hand. Often the symptoms affect one side of the body, but sometimes both sides are equally affected.
The most common cause is Neonatal Brachial Plexus Palsy (NBPP), but it could be caused by other causes. accidentinjurylawyers who are obese and have a breech posture or are forced to pull during birth could be at a higher risk of suffering a brachial plexus injury. This type of injury could be seen in athletes who play contact sports like football and blunt trauma.
NBPP is an illness that can be identified early, typically within six weeks of the birth. Most children recover without intervention, however those who are not able to improve by the end of the end of the month should be examined by a team who can manage the condition. The teams typically consist by an orthopedist for children as well as a physiatrist, and a physical therapy.
Erb's Palsy
The brachial (brake-ee-al) plexus is a nerve group that connect the spinal cord to the shoulder, and then down the arm and into the hand. If this group of nerves is injured during delivery, it could cause weakness or paralysis of the affected arm. Erb's Palsy is the most frequent kind. It is caused by a significant stretching or tearing of the upper brachial plexus nerves during labor and delivery.
A doctor can diagnose Erb palsy through an examination of the infant's hand. The doctor will be looking for a lack of movement in the affected arm, a limp wrist and lack of Moro reflex (the infant's involuntary response to a lack of head support). The health care professional could also request an imaging test, like 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 minimized by having the second phase of labor be less time-consuming or by placing the mother on her back for a portion of the delivery. A doctor can help in reducing the chance of this kind 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 severe form of this condition, which causes injury to the nerves of the lower brachial plexus. This type of injury may be referred to as "waiter's tips" because the limb is suspended to the side, rotated medially, and pronated. It is also extended, flexed and bent at the wrist.
It is essential to contact a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible if your child has been diagnosed with any of these issues. Beth has more than 18 years of experience in the field of birth and labor, and she can help determine if the doctor treating your child has committed negligence that could have led to these avoidable injuries.
Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy
Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) Also called hypoxic ischemic brain damage, is a condition that occurs when a birth issue reduces blood and oxygen supply to the baby. HIE is a serious brain disorder that can cause permanent brain damage. HIE's effects may be severe or mild and usually begin within a few weeks after birth. HIE is among the many ailments that fall under a larger category of birth-related injuries known as neonatal encephalopathy (NE).
HIE can be caused by problems during labor and birth. These include excessive bleeding in the mother's blood vessels as well as forceps delivery, prolonged labor and bleeding that is excessive. It is possible that a baby might be suffering from an underlying condition such as low birth weight that could result in HIE.
To diagnose HIE doctors will look at the infant's APGAR score and look for signs of a neurological impairment. A low APGAR can indicate the need for immediate medical attention. Doctors can conduct blood tests to assess the amount of acid that builds up in the umbilical cord, which can indicate that a baby has been suffering from an oxygen shortage or a decreased flow of blood.
If a doctor suspects that a child has HIE and suspects that they have it, they usually employ a treatment known as therapeutic hypothermia to combat the condition. During this treatment, the infant is placed in a cool blanket and given medication to aid in sleep. During the cooling process, doctors check the heart rate, breathing condition and body temperature, as well as brain activity.
Once a baby is fully warmed up, the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan will be conducted. MRIs are the best method to identify HIE and its specific injury pattern. An MRI could provide an approximate timeframe for the injury, which is useful in determining if the child's symptoms are caused by HIE.
Following a diagnosis of HIE infants should be closely monitored throughout their lives. They will see a neuroologist as well as a neonatologist. They may receive physical, speech, or occupational therapy to manage their symptoms. The aim is to assist these children achieve their full potential and make as healthy as they can.