Birth Injury Case Evaluation

Parents of children with unavoidable birth injury legal team injuries are faced with astronomical medical bills, adversity in treatment and permanent disabilities. The process of holding medical professionals accountable through medical malpractice claims could reduce financial burdens and provide justice.

In order to win a case, attorneys must prove that the hospital or doctor have violated the accepted standards of care during labor and birth. This is usually done by a thorough review of medical documents and expert witness testimony.

Cerebral palsy

Cerebral Palsy is a permanent motor impairment caused by injuries to the embryonic central nervous system, which can occur in utero, during delivery (perinatal) or in the early stages of infanthood. It can affect a wide range of body movements and its intensity can be moderate to severe. The condition's symptoms change with age, but it isn't progressive.

Unlike many other conditions, it is not a testable condition. A thorough and thorough evaluation will help medical professionals determine if the child's condition stems from cerebral palsy. This includes a thorough mobility and neurological assessment.

The tests will assess the child's muscle tone, posture and balance, reflexes, ability to move, and other aspects that impact a child's movement. Musculoskeletal exams can reveal hip dislocations, scoliosis and contractures. A speech and language evaluation will also show the child's intellectual development as well as their ability to produce speech sounds.

Neuroimaging, a type of imaging that permits doctors to see the brain in greater detail, is often used in diagnosing Cerebral Palsy. This is a non-invasive method to determine the severity of brain injury. It doesn't allow doctors to to predict the impact of the injury on a child’s symptoms.

In certain instances the diagnosis of cerebral palsy cannot be established until the child is at least a year old, because symptoms can fluctuate during this period. Despite this the classification of a condition on the basis of severity, topographical distribution and muscle tone is a good way to communicate the severity of the impairment to a child and influence the treatment.

Physical and occupational therapy are the most effective treatment options for Cerebral Palsy. These therapies can improve the mobility of a child and reduce the chance of developing joint deformities such as scoliosis. Speech therapy and adaptive equipment can assist the child with his or her daily activities and allow them to interact more effectively with family and others. There are many financial aid options available depending on the specific circumstances that lead to the child's health. This includes charity groups and foundations that help ease the burden of paying for treatment and care.

Brachial Plexus Injuries

A brachial-plexus injury is caused by an injury to the five nerves that originate from the spinal cord at the neck. They transmit signals from the spinal cord to the arm, shoulder and hand. Each side of the body has a brachial plexus. Some infants recover without treatment but the majority will benefit from occupational and physical therapy. A smaller proportion of infants might require surgery to achieve good results.

A doctor can diagnose a baby with brachial plexus injuries on the basis of the medical history and physical examination. A doctor can order special imaging tests, such as an MRI, CT scan or nerve conduction study, but these tests aren't as accurate for infants. Doctors can also test the strength and flexibility of the muscles of a child's arms by doing gentle range of motion exercises which aids in tracking the progress of recovery over time.

The symptoms of a the plexus injury can vary based on the severity of the injury as well as which nerves are affected. The signs can include weakness of the arm, movement of the muscles, and a decrease in sensation (feeling) in the hand. Often the symptoms affect one side of the body, however sometimes both sides are equally affected.

Neonatal brachial-plexus palsy (NBPP) is the most common cause of birth injuries that affects the brachial nerve however, it can result from other causes. Brachial plexus injuries are more prevalent in large babies, those who are in a breech experienced birth injury lawyers position, or who must be pulled during delivery. This type of injury is also prevalent in athletes who play contact sports like football, and also from blunt trauma.

NBPP is diagnosed at an early age, usually within six to eight weeks following birth. Most children recover without intervention, but those who don't improve in a month's time need to be evaluated by a team of experts. These teams are typically made comprising an orthopedist for children along with a physiatrist and physical therapist.

Erb's Palsy

The brachial plexus (pronounced brake-ee-al) is a collection of nerves running from the spinal chord to the shoulder, and down the arm to the hand. If this nerve group becomes damaged during delivery, it could cause weakness or paralysis in the affected arm. Erb's Palsy is the most frequent kind. It is caused by a significant stretching or tearing the upper brachial nerves in the birth.

A physician can diagnose Erb's palsy through an examination of the infant's arm. The doctor looks for a lack of movement in the affected hand as well as a shaky wrist and a decrease in Moro reflexes (the infant's involuntary reaction to a loss of head support). The health care professional could also recommend an imaging test, like an X-ray or ultrasound, or a nerve test, like an electromyogram or a nerve conduction study.

In many cases, Erb's palsy occurs when an inexperienced clinician applies too much lateral tension to the infant during the forceps delivery. This kind of traction could be minimized by having the second stage of labor be less time-consuming or placing the mother on her back for part of the delivery. A doctor can also to reduce the risk of this type of injury by delivering by C-section.

Other brachial plexus injuries are possible in addition to Erb's Palsy. Klumpke Palsy is the more severe form of this condition which causes damage to the lower brachial nerves. 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 conditions it is crucial to consult a medical malpractice attorney immediately. Beth has over 18 years of experience in the birth and labor process and can assist you to determine if the doctor treating your child committed acts of negligence which may have caused these preventable injuries.

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE), also known as hypoxic ischemic brain damage, occurs when a problem during birth injury legal options decreases the oxygen and blood supply to the baby. HIE is a serious disorder that can lead to permanent, severe brain damage. The effects of HIE can vary from mild to severe and they usually begin within a few days after birth. HIE is a condition that is part of the larger category of birth-related injuries known 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 as well as a breech birth injury lawyer near me, prolonged labor and delivery or forceps delivery. It's possible that a baby can have an underlying problem such as low birth weight, which could lead to HIE.

To diagnose HIE doctors will look at the infant's APGAR scores and look for signs of a neurological impairment. A low APGAR score could indicate the need for immediate medical intervention. Doctors may also use blood tests to gauge acid build-up in the umbilical artery, which is a sign that a baby has suffered from an oxygen deficiency or decreased blood flow to the brain.

If a child is believed to be suffering from HIE doctors often try to combat it with the treatment known as therapeutic hypothermia. In this method, the child is placed in an ice-cold blanket and medicine is given to aid in their sleep. During the cooling process, doctors monitor the heart rate, breathing condition and body temperature, as well as brain activity.

Once a baby is fully re-warmed, an electromagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is performed. MRIs are the most effective way to detect HIE and its specific injury pattern. An MRI may show a time frame for the injury, which can be useful in determining if a child's symptoms are caused by HIE.

Following a diagnosis of HIE, babies should be monitored closely for the rest of their lives. They will see a neurologist as well as a neonatologist. They may receive physical, speech, and occupational therapy in order to cope with their symptoms. The goal is to make the children as healthy as possible and to help them reach their full potential.