Birth Injury Case Evaluation

Children who suffer from preventable award-winning birth injury attorney injuries are faced with astronomical medical costs, difficult treatments and permanent disabilities. The process of holding medical professionals accountable through medical malpractice claims could reduce the financial burdens and ensure 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 often accomplished through extensive 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 occur in utero, at the time of licensed birth injury attorneys [srv495809.Hstgr.cloud] (perinatal) or early infancy. It can affect a wide range of body movements, and its severity can range from moderate to severe birth injury lawyers. The symptoms may vary according to age, however the condition isn't progressive.

Like many other conditions it is not a testable condition. A thorough and comprehensive assessment can help medical professionals determine if a child's condition stems from cerebral palsy. This includes a complete neurologic and mobility evaluation.

The tests will assess the child's muscles, posture, balance, reflexes, ability to move, and other aspects that influence a child's movements. Musculoskeletal exams can reveal hip dislocations, scoliosis, and contractures. A speech and language assessment will also show a child's intellectual development as well as their ability to create speech sounds.

Cerebral Palsy is diagnosed using neuroimaging which allows doctors to look at the brain in great detail. This is a noninvasive way to determine the severity of brain damage. It is not able to help doctors predict the effects of the injury on children's symptoms.

In certain instances, a diagnosis of cerebral palsy may not be made until the child is a few years old, since symptoms may fluctuate during this period. Despite this, the classification of a condition on the basis of severity as well as topographical distribution and tone can be useful as a way to communicate the severity of impairment in a child 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 the risk of developing joint deformities, like scoliosis. Additionally, speech therapy and the use of adaptive equipment can help with daily activities and enable them to be more social with family members and others. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the child's health, there are also several forms of financial assistance available. There are also charitable organizations and foundations that can help alleviate the burden of paying for treatment and care.

Brachial Plexus Injuries

A brachial-plexus injury occurs when the five nerves that connect to the neck spine to the spine are injured. These nerves transmit signals from the spine to the shoulder, hand and arm. Each side of the body has a brachial-plexus. Some infants suffering from brachial plexus injuries will recover without treatment, however the majority will benefit from physical and occupational therapy. A smaller group of infants may require surgery to get good results.

A doctor can diagnose a baby with brachial plexus injury based on 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 however, these tests are not as reliable for babies. Doctors can test the strength and range of motion of a child's arms by performing gentle exercises to increase range of motion. This helps them track the recovery over time.

The signs and symptoms of brachial plexus injuries differ based on the severity of the injury and the nerves that have been affected. The symptoms can include weakness in the arm, 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 frequently cited cause is Neonatal Brachial Plexus Palsy (NBPP) however it can also be caused by other causes. Brachial plexus injuries are more prevalent in large babies, those who are in a breech birth position, or must be pulled during delivery. This kind of injury can also occur for athletes who engage in contact sports, like football, and also from blunt trauma.

NBPP is a condition that is identified early, typically within six weeks of the birth. Most children recover with no intervention, but those who are not able to improve by the end of a month should be evaluated by a team that can manage the disorder. The teams typically consist up of a pediatric orthopedist, a physiatrist and a physical therapist.

Erb's Palsy

The brachial (brake-ee-al) brachial 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 damaged during delivery, causing weakness or paralysis to the affected arm. The most common type of this injury is Erb's palsy. It is caused by a significant stretching or tear of the upper brachial nerves during delivery.

A physician can diagnose Erb's Palsy through an examination of the infant's arm. The health professional will look for a lack of movement in the affected arm, a limp wrist and lack of Moro reflex (the baby's involuntary response to a lack of head support). The health care professional could also request an imaging test or nerve test, such as an X ray or an ultrasound, or an electromyogram, or a study of nerve conduction.

In many cases, Erb’s palsy can occur when an inexperienced physician applies too much lateral tension to the infant during delivery with forceps. This kind of traction could be minimized by having the second stage of labor be shorter or placing the mother on her back for a portion of the delivery. If the mother is delivered via C-section a doctor can reduce the risk of injury.

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

It is crucial to seek out a medical malpractice lawyer immediately if your child has been diagnosed with one of these conditions. Beth has more than 18 years of specialized birth injury lawyers expertise in labor and birth and can assist you in determining whether the medical professional who treated your child has committed a mistake that could have caused these preventable injuries.

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) occurs when a birth defect hinders blood flow and oxygen to the baby. HIE is a serious disorder that can cause permanent severe brain damage. HIE's effects can be mild or severe and usually begin within a few weeks of birth. HIE is one of many conditions that belong to the larger category of birth-related injuries known as neonatal encephalopathy (NE).

HIE can be caused by complications during birth and labor. These include excessive bleeding in the mother's blood vessels and forceps delivery, long labor and bleeding that is excessive. A baby's low qualified birth injury lawyer weight could be a cause of HIE.

To determine if there is HIE in infants, doctors take a look at the infant's APGAR score and any signs of neurological impairment. A low APGAR score could indicate the need for immediate medical intervention. Doctors can use blood tests to determine the amount of acid that builds teaming up with birth injury attorneys in the umbilical chord, which can indicate that a baby has been suffering from an oxygen shortage or a decrease in blood flow.

If the child is suspected to have HIE, doctors will often try to combat it with the treatment known as therapeutic hypothermia. During this treatment the infant is placed under a cooling blanket, and a medication is administered to aid in their sleep. During the cooling process, doctors check the infant's heart rate, breathing, body temperature and brain activity.

After the baby has fully re-warmed a magnetic resonance image (MRI) will be performed. MRIs are the best method to determine HIE and the pattern of its injury. The results of an MRI can show the time frame of injury which is useful when trying to determine if the child's symptoms are due to HIE.

After a diagnosis of HIE infants should be closely monitored throughout their lives. They'll see a pediatrician and neurologist, and could have physical, speech and occupational therapy to help them cope with their symptoms. The goal is to help these kids reach their full potential and make as healthy as they can.