Birth Injury Case Evaluation
Children with birth injuries that could be prevented face staggering medical bills, daunting therapies and permanent disability. Medical malpractice claims can alleviate financial burdens and offer justice.
To win a claim lawyers must prove that the hospitals or doctors did not follow accepted standards of care during labor and delivery. This is usually accomplished through extensive review of medical records and expert witness testimony.
Cerebral palsy
Cerebral Palsy is a permanent motor disability caused by injuries to the immature central nervous system that occur in utero, during birth (perinatal) or in early infancy. It affects a variety of body movements and can be mild, moderate or severe in intensity. The symptoms of the condition change with age, but it is not progressive.
It isn't a medical condition that can be evaluated like many other. However it is important to conduct a thorough and thorough assessment will help medical professionals determine whether or not a child's condition is caused by cerebral palsy. This includes a full mobility and neurological assessment.
The tests will look at the child's muscle tone, posture and balance, reflexes, ability to move, and other factors that impact a child's movement. Musculoskeletal exams can reveal issues such as hip dislocations, scoliosis or contractures. Additionally, a speech and language evaluation can help determine a child's level of intellectual development and speech sound production.
Cerebral Palsy is diagnosed using neuroimaging, which allows doctors to look at the brain in a detailed manner. This is a noninvasive way to assess the extent of brain injury. It doesn't allow doctors to predict the effects of the injury on children's symptoms.
In some instances the diagnosis of cerebral palsy is not able to be made until the child is a few years old, since symptoms may fluctuate during this period. The classification of a condition by severity, topographic location, and muscle tone can be useful in determining the severity of impairment and impacting the treatment.
Physical and occupational therapy are the most effective treatments for Cerebral Palsy. These therapies can increase a child’s mobility and reduce their chance of developing joint deformities, like scoliosis. Additionally, speech therapy and the use of adaptive equipment can assist in the child's daily activities and allow him or her to interact more fully with family members and others. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the child's health, there are also several types of financial assistance available. This includes charity groups and foundations that help ease the burden of paying for a child's treatment and care.
Brachial Plexus Injuries
A brachial-plexus injury occurs when the five nerves that connect to the neck to the spine are injured. These nerves transmit signals from the spine to the hand, shoulder and arm. Each side of the body is covered by a brachial-plexus. Some infants can recover without treatment but the majority will benefit from physical therapy and occupational therapy. A smaller proportion of infants may require surgery to get satisfactory results.
A baby who has an injury to the brachial plexus is diagnosed by their primary care physician according to their medical history and physical exam. Doctors can order specific imaging tests like an MRI, CT scan or nerve conduction studies, however these tests are not as accurate for infants. 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 symptoms of brachial-plexus injuries differ based on the severity of the injury and the specific nerves affected. Symptoms include a weak arm, reduced muscle movement, and a decrease in sensation in the hand. The symptoms usually affect one side of the body, however often both sides are equally affected.
reputable birth injury lawyers -plexus palsy (NBPP) is the most common birth injury that affects the brachial plexus however it could also be caused by other causes. Babies who are obese and have a breech posture or who are pulled forcibly during birth could be at higher risk of suffering from a brachial Injury. This kind of injury may also happen to athletes who play contact sports such as football and blunt trauma.
NBPP is a condition that is identified early, typically within six weeks of the birth. Most children will recover without intervention, but those that do not improve within a month have to be assessed by a specialized team. These teams are typically made comprising a pediatric orthopedist along with a physiatrist and physical therapy.
Erb's Palsy
The brachial (brake-ee-al) the plexus is a nerve group that run from the spinal cord to the shoulder and then down the arm into the hand. This group of nerves can be injured during delivery and cause weakness or paralysis of the affected arm. The most commonly reported form of this condition is Erb's palsy. It is caused by significant stretching or tearing of the upper brachial plexus nerves during the labor and birth.
A doctor can diagnose Erb's palsy by conducting a physical examination of the infant's arm. The doctor will look for a lack in movement in the affected hand as well as a shaky wrist and a deficiency in Moro reflexes (the infant's involuntary reaction to a loss in head support). The health care professional could also request an imaging test, like an ultrasound or X-ray, or a nerve test such as an electromyogram or a nerve conduction study.
In many cases, Erb’s palsy is caused when an untrained clinician applies too much lateral tension to the infant during delivery with forceps. This kind of traction can be decreased by using the shorter second stage of labor or placing the mother on her back during part of the delivery. When delivering via C-section, doctors can lower the risk of injury.
Other brachial plexus injury is possible in addition to Erb’s palsy. Klumpke Palsy is the most severe form of this condition which causes damage to the lower brachial nerves. This type of injury is commonly described as a "waiter's tip" posture due to the fact that the limb hangs to the side and is rotated medially pronated, flexed, and extended at the wrist.
If your child is diagnosed with any of these conditions, it is important to talk with an attorney for medical malpractice right away. Beth has more than 18 years of experience in specialized experience in labor and delivery, and can help determine whether the medical professional who treated your child was negligent and could have caused these avoidable injuries.
Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy
Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) is also called hypoxic ischemic brain damage, occurs when a problem during birth reduces blood and oxygen supply to the infant. HIE is a serious brain disorder that could lead to permanent brain damage. HIE's effects may be mild or severe and typically begin within a few weeks after birth. HIE is a condition that is part of the larger category of birth-related injuries referred to as neonatal Encephalopathy.
A baby can develop HIE from complications during labor and delivery, such as excessive bleeding in the mother's blood vessels or a breech birth prolonged labor and delivery, or a forceps delivery. The baby's birth weight is low and could be the cause of HIE.
To determine if a child has HIE doctors will analyze the infant's APGAR scores and look for signs of neurological impairment. A low APGAR score may indicate the need for medical intervention. Doctors may use blood tests to assess the acid buildup in the umbilical cord, which indicates that a baby may have been suffering from an oxygen shortage or a decreased flow of blood.
If a doctor suspects that the child is suffering from HIE is a common suspicion, they'll use a treatment called therapeutic hypothermia to combat the condition. In this method, the child is placed in an ice-cold blanket and medicine is given to aid in their sleep. During cooling, doctors will monitor the infant's heart rate and body temperature, breathing and brain activity.
Once a baby is fully re-warmed and re-warmed, the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan will be conducted. MRIs are the best way to identify HIE and the pattern of its injury. The results of an MRI may reveal the time frame of injury which is useful in determining if the child's symptoms are caused by HIE.
After an HIE diagnosis newborns will have to be monitored closely for the rest their lives. They'll see a pediatrician and neurologist, and may have physical, speech and occupational therapy to help them deal with their symptoms. The goal is to get the children as healthy as possible and help them achieve their full potential.