10 Things We All Hate About Birth Injury Case Evaluation
Birth Injury Case Evaluation
Parents of children who suffer from birth injuries that are preventable face astronomical medical expenses, difficult treatments and permanent disabilities. Medical malpractice claims can help to ease financial burdens, and also provide justice.
To be successful in a claim, attorneys must prove that the hospital or doctor did not follow accepted standards of care during labor and birth. This is usually accomplished by thorough examination of medical records and expert witness testimony.
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy is a permanent motor impairment caused by injuries to the immature central nervous system that occur in utero, at the time of birth (perinatal) or in early infancy. It affects a broad range of body movements. It may be mild, moderate or even severe in intensity. The symptoms of the condition vary with age, but it's not progressive.
Unlike many other conditions, it is not testable. A thorough and thorough evaluation will allow medical professionals to determine if a child's condition is caused by cerebral palsy. This includes a complete assessment of mobility and neurologic function.
The examinations will focus on the child's balance and muscle tone and balance, and also their reflexes and ability to move. A musculoskeletal examination can identify issues like hip dislocations, scoliosis or contractures. Additionally an evaluation of speech and language can reveal a child's stage of intellectual development and speech sound production.
Cerebral Palsy is diagnosed using neuroimaging, which allows doctors to see the brain in great detail. It is a non-invasive method to assess the extent of brain damage. However, it does not allow doctors to determine the impact of this injury claims lawyers on a child's symptoms.
Some children may not be diagnosed with cerebral palsy until they are several years old because symptoms can vary. Despite this the classification of a condition based on severity of the condition, topographic distribution and muscle tone is a good method to convey the severity of the impairment to a child and influence treatment.
Physical and occupational therapy are among the most effective treatment options for Cerebral Palsy. These therapies can improve the mobility of children and decrease the chance of developing joint deformities like scoliosis. Speech therapy and the use of adaptive equipment can assist with the child's daily living activities and enable them to connect more effectively with family members and others. There are several options for financial aid based on the circumstances surrounding the child's condition. There are also charities and foundations that can help alleviate the burden of paying lawyer for injurys near me treatment and medical care.
Brachial Plexus Injuries
A brachial-plexus injury is caused by an lawyer injury to the five nerves that branch off from the spinal cord in the neck. They transmit signals from the spinal cord to the shoulder, arm and hand. There is a brachial plexus on both sides of the body. Some infants suffering from brachial plexus injuries will heal without treatment, however the majority will benefit from physical and occupational therapy. A smaller percentage of infants may require surgery to get excellent results.
A doctor can diagnose a baby with brachial plexus injury based on the medical history and physical examination. Doctors can order specific imaging tests like an MRI, CT scan or nerve conduction tests, however these tests aren't as appropriate for babies. Doctors can measure the strength and range of motion of a child's arms by performing gentle exercises for range of motion. This allows them to track the improvement 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 signs include a weak arm, reduced muscle movement, and a decreased sensation in the hand. The symptoms usually affect one side of the body, but often both sides are equally affected.
Neonatal brachial plexus syphilis (NBPP) is the most common cause of birth injuries that affects the brachial nerve, but it can also be caused by other causes. Babies who are obese, have a breech position or are forced to pull during delivery could be at higher risk of a brachial plexus Injury. This type of injury is also prevalent in athletes who play contact sports, such as football, and from blunt trauma.
NBPP can be identified at an early age, typically within six to eight weeks of birth. Most children recover without treatment, but those who do not improve in a month's time need to be evaluated by an expert team. The team typically consists of a pediatric orthopedic surgeon along with a physiatrist as well as a physical therapy.
Erb's Palsy
The brachial plexus (pronounced brake-ee-al), is a grouping of nerves running from the spinal chord to the shoulder, and then through the arm until the hand. This group of nerves can be injured during delivery and cause weakness or paralysis of the affected arm. The most frequent type of this condition is Erb's palsy. It is caused by significant stretching or tearing of the upper brachial nerves during the labor and birth.
A physician can diagnose Erb palsy through an examination of the infant's hand. The health care provider looks for a lack of movement in the affected hand as well as a shaky wrist and a lack in Moro reflexes (the infant's involuntary response to a decrease in head support). The health professional might also recommend 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 paralysis is a result of an unexperienced doctor applying too much lateral traction to the infant during a forceps birth. This type of traction can be decreased by using the shorter second stage of labor, or by placing the mother on her back for a portion of the delivery. A doctor can help to reduce the risk 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 that causes Lawyer Injury Near Me to the brachial plexus nerves in the lower region. This type of injury may be described as "waiter's tips" because the limb is held to the side, rotated medially and pronated. It is also flexed, extended and flexed at the wrist.
If your child is diagnosed with any of these conditions, it is important to speak with an attorney for medical malpractice immediately. Beth has more than 18 years of experience in the birth and labor process, and she can help determine if your child's doctor committed acts of negligence which may have caused these preventable injuries.
Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy
Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a condition that occurs when an issue during birth restricts oxygen and blood flow to the infant. HIE is an extremely serious brain condition that can lead to permanent brain damage. The effects of HIE can vary from mild to severe and they usually begin within a few days of birth. HIE is an illness that is part of the larger category of birth-related injuries referred to as neonatal encephalopathy.
An infant 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 forceps delivery. It's possible that a baby can have an underlying problem such as a low birth weight, which could cause HIE.
To diagnose HIE, doctors will evaluate the infant's APGAR score and look for signs of a neurological impairment. A low APGAR score may indicate the need for medical intervention. Doctors can use blood tests to measure the buildup of acid in the umbilical chord which is an indication that a baby might have been suffering from an oxygen deficiency or a decreased flow of blood.
If the child is suspected to have HIE doctors often attempt to treat it with a procedure known as therapeutic hypothermia. During this treatment the infant is swaddled in a cooling blanket and given medication to aid in sleep. During cooling, doctors will monitor the infant's heart rate as well as breathing, body temperature and brain activity.
After the baby has fully re-warmed, a magnetic resonance image (MRI) will be taken. MRIs are the most effective way to detect HIE and its particular injury attorney pattern. An MRI may show a time frame for the injury, which can be useful in determining if the child's symptoms are due to HIE.
After a HIE diagnosis newborns will have to be closely monitored for the rest their lives. They will visit a neurologist and neonatologist, and they might be treated with speech, physical, and occupational therapy in order to cope with their symptoms. The goal is to assist these children reach their full potential, and to make as healthy as possible.