birth injury attorney directory Injury Case Evaluation

Children suffering 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 burdens and ensure justice.

To win a claim attorneys must show that the hospital or doctor violated accepted standards of care during the labor and delivery. This is usually accomplished by an in-depth review of medical records or expert witness testimony.

Cerebral erbs palsy attorney

Cerebral Palsy is a permanent motor disability caused by injuries to the embryonic central nervous system that occur in utero, at the time of birth injury litigation (perinatal) or early infancy. It can affect a broad range of body movements, and its intensity can be moderate to severe. The symptoms of the condition change with age, but it isn't progressive.

It is not a testable condition, unlike many others. However, a thorough and comprehensive evaluation can aid medical professionals in determining whether or the child's problem is due to cerebral palsy. This includes a full neurologic and mobility evaluation.

The tests will assess the child's muscle tone, posture and balance, reflexes, capacity to move, and other aspects that affect a child's mobility. Musculoskeletal examinations can reveal problems like hip dislocations, scoliosis or contractures. In addition a speech and language evaluation can help determine a child's level of intellectual development as well as 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 determine the severity of brain injury. It is not able to help doctors determine the effects of the injury on a child’s symptoms.

In certain instances, a diagnosis of cerebral palsy may not be made until a child is at least a year old, because symptoms can fluctuate during this time. Despite this however, a classification of a condition based on severity as well as topographical distribution and tone is useful as a method of communicating the severity of the impairment to a child and influence the treatment.

The most effective treatments for Cerebral Palsy include physical and occupational therapy. These therapies can help improve a child’s mobility and reduce their chance of developing joint deformities such as scoliosis. Additionally, speech therapy and the use of adaptive equipment can aid with the child's daily living activities and allow him or her to interact more fully with family members and others. Based on the circumstances that surround the child's condition There are also a variety of kinds of financial aid available. This includes charities and foundations that help ease the burden of paying for treatment and care.

Brachial Plexus Injuries

A brachial-plexus ailment occurs when the five nerves which connect to the neck to the spine are damaged. These nerves transmit signals from the spine to the shoulder, hand and arm. There is a brachial plexus on each side of the body. Some infants will recover without treatment, but the majority will benefit from physical therapy and occupational therapy. A smaller percentage of infants might require surgery to achieve excellent results.

A doctor can identify a baby with brachial plexus injuries based on 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 are not as appropriate for babies. Doctors can also assess the strength and mobility of the child's muscles in their arms by doing gentle range of motion exercises, which helps them track the progress of recovery over time.

The signs and symptoms of brachial plexus injuries vary depending on how severe the injury is and the specific nerves affected. The signs can include weakness of the arm, a lack of muscle movement, and diminished sensation (feeling) in the hand. The symptoms usually affect just one side of the body. However, occasionally both sides may be affected.

The most frequently cited reason is Neonatal Brachial plexus Palsy (NBPP) however it can be caused by other causes. Brachial plexus injuries are more common in large babies, those who are in a breech birth position, or have to be pulled during the birth. This type of injury is also prevalent for athletes who engage in contact sports like football, and also from blunt trauma.

NBPP is a condition that is diagnosed early on, usually within six weeks of birth. Most children recover without intervention, but those that are not improving by a month should be evaluated by a team who can manage the condition. These teams are usually made comprising an orthopedist for children, a physiatrist and a physical therapy.

Erb's Palsy

The brachial (brake-ee-al) the plexus is a nerve group that connect the spinal cord to the shoulder and then down the arm and into the hand. This group of nerves can be injured during delivery, causing weakness or paralysis of the affected arm. Erb's palsy is the most commonly reported type. It is caused by a significant stretching or tear of the upper brachial nerves the delivery.

A doctor can identify Erb palsy through physical examination of the infant's hand. The doctor looks for a lack in movement in the affected hand or wrist, a limping wrist and a deficiency in Moro reflexes (the infant's involuntary reaction to a loss in head support). The health professional might also recommend an imaging test, such as an X-ray or ultrasound or a nerve test such as an electromyogram or a nerve conduction study.

In many cases, Erb's paralysis is a result of an inexperienced clinician applying too much lateral traction to the baby during a forceps delivery. This type of traction may be lessened by having the second stage of labor be less invasive or placing the mother on her back for a portion of the delivery. A doctor can help to reduce the risk of injury by giving birth via C-section.

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

If your child is diagnosed with one of these conditions, it is important to consult a medical malpractice attorney immediately. Beth has over 18 years of experience in labor and birth and can assist you to determine if your child's doctor has committed negligence that could have led to these preventable injuries.

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) occurs when an issue during birth injury attorney hinders blood flow and oxygen to the infant. HIE is a serious disorder that can lead to permanent serious brain damage. The effects of HIE can vary from mild to extreme, and usually start within a few weeks after birth. HIE is a condition that belongs to the larger category of birth-related injuries referred to as neonatal encephalopathy.

A baby can develop HIE from complications during labor and delivery, including excessive bleeding in the mother's blood vessels, a breech birth, prolonged labor and delivery or a forceps delivery. A baby's weight loss could be the cause of HIE.

To determine if a child has HIE doctors will look at the infant's APGAR scores and look for signs of a neurological impairment. A low APGAR can indicate the need for immediate medical care. Doctors can also conduct tests on blood to determine the amount of acid that is accumulating in the umbilical artery, which is a sign that a baby suffers from an oxygen deficit or a decreased flow of blood to the brain.

If a child is suspected of having HIE, doctors will often try to combat it with a treatment known as therapeutic hypothermia. In this procedure the child is placed in a cool blanket and given medication to aid in sleep. During the cooling process doctors continuously monitor the heart rate, breathing state and body temperature, along with brain activity.

Once a baby is fully restored to its original temperature, an electromagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is performed. MRIs are the most effective way to detect HIE and its particular Childbirth Injury Compensation pattern. An MRI could provide a time-frame for the injury, which could be helpful 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 visit a neonatologist and neurologist, and may have physical, speech and occupational therapy to help them cope with their symptoms. The goal is to help these kids achieve their full potential and make as healthy as possible.