Why We Why We Birth Injury Case Evaluation (And You Should Also!)
Birth Injury Case Evaluation
Children suffering from preventable birth injuries are confronted with staggering medical costs, difficult treatments and permanent disabilities. Making medical providers accountable through medical malpractice lawsuits could reduce the financial burden and bring justice.
In order to win a case, attorneys must prove that the doctors or hospitals have violated the accepted standards of care during the labor and delivery. This is often accomplished by a thorough review of medical records and expert witness testimony.
Cerebral palsy
Cerebral Palsy is permanent motor impairment caused by injuries to the developing central nervous system that happen in utero, during delivery (perinatal) or in early infancy. It can affect a broad range of body movements, and the severity of the condition can range from mild to severe. The symptoms can differ based on age, however the condition is not progressive.
In contrast to other conditions, it is not testable. A thorough and comprehensive evaluation will help medical professionals determine if a child's condition is due to cerebral palsy. This includes a full assessment of mobility and neurologic function.
The tests will assess the child's muscles, posture, balance, reflexes, ability to move, and other factors that impact a child's movement. Musculoskeletal examinations can reveal issues like hip dislocation, scoliosis and contractures. A speech and language evaluation will also show the child's development in terms of intellectual ability as well as their ability to make speech sounds.
Neuroimaging, an imaging that permits doctors to see the brain in more detail is commonly used for diagnosing Cerebral Palsy. This is a noninvasive way of assessing the extent of brain damage. It doesn't allow doctors to determine the effects of the injury on children's symptoms.
Some children aren't diagnosed with cerebral palsy until they are several years old as the symptoms can change. However, the classification of a condition on the basis of severity, topographical distribution and muscle tone can be useful as a method of communicating a child's degree of impairment and influence the treatment.
Physical and occupational therapy are the most effective treatment options for Cerebral Palsy. These therapies can help improve a child’s mobility and reduce their chance of developing joint deformities, such as scoliosis. Speech therapy and adaptive equipment can also aid the child in his or her daily activities and allow them to better interact with family members and other. There are several options for financial aid based on the specific circumstances that lead to a child's condition. This includes charities and foundations that can ease the burden of the cost of a child's treatment and care.
Brachial Plexus Injury
A brachial-plexus injury happens when the five nerves that connect to the neck to the spine are injured. These nerves transmit signals from the spine to the shoulder, hand and arm. There is a brachial plexus on both sides of the body. Some infants recover without treatment, however the majority will benefit from occupational and physical therapy. A smaller proportion of infants may require surgery to achieve good results.
A baby who has an injury to the brachial area can be diagnosed by their primary care doctor in light of their medical history and physical exam. Doctors can request special imaging tests like an MRI, CT scan or nerve conduction tests, however these tests aren't as appropriate for babies. Doctors can test the strength and range of motion of a child's arms through gentle exercises to increase range of motion. This helps them monitor the recovery over time.
The signs and symptoms of a brachial strain can differ based on the extent of the injury as well as which nerves are affected. Symptoms include a weak arm and reduced muscle movement and decreased sensation in the hand. Most often, the symptoms affect just one side of the body, but often both sides are equally affected.
The most frequently cited reason is Neonatal Brachial plexus Palsy (NBPP), but it can also be caused by other causes. Brachial plexus injuries are more frequent in babies who are large, who are in a breech birth position, or have to be pulled during the birth. This type of injury can also occur for athletes who participate in contact sports like football, as well as from blunt trauma.
NBPP is an illness that can be diagnosed early on, usually within six weeks of birth. Most children recover without intervention, however those that do not improve within a month have to be assessed by an expert team. The team typically consists of a pediatric orthopedic surgeon along with a physiatrist as well as physical therapy.
Erb's Palsy
The brachial plexus (pronounced brake-ee-al) is a set of nerves that extend from the spinal cord to the shoulder, and then down the arm into the hand. maternal birth injury lawyer Accident Injury Lawyers of nerves can be damaged during delivery, causing weakness or paralysis of the affected arm. Erb's Palsy is the most common type. It is caused by a significant stretching or tearing of the upper brachial plexus nerves during the labor and birth.
A physician can diagnose Erb's Palsy through an examination of the infant's arm. The health professional will look for a lack movement in the affected arm, a weak wrist and lack of Moro reflex (the infant's involuntary response to the reduction in head support). The health care professional could also order an imaging test, such as 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 by an unexperienced doctor applying too much lateral traction to the infant during a forceps delivery. This type of traction may be reduced by having the second phase of labor be less invasive or by 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 chance of injury.
Other brachial plexus injury is possible in addition to Erb’s palsy. Klumpke Palsy is the more severe type of this condition, that is characterized by damage to the lower brachial nerves. This type of injury can be referred to as "waiter's tips" because the limb is hung down to the side, rotated to the medially and pronated. It is also flexed, extended and extended at the wrist.
If your child is diagnosed with any of these conditions, it is important to consult a medical malpractice attorney immediately. Beth has more than 18 years of experience in the field of birth and labor, and she can help determine if the doctor who treated your child has committed negligence that may have caused these preventable injuries.
Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy
Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) is a condition that occurs when an issue during birth reduces blood flow and oxygen to the infant. HIE is an extremely serious brain condition that can lead to permanent brain damage. HIE's effects can be mild or severe and usually begin within a few weeks after birth. HIE is among the many conditions that belong to the larger category of birth-related injuries, known as neonatal encephalopathy (NE).
An infant can develop HIE due to complications during labor and delivery, including excessive bleeding in the mother's blood vessels or a breech birth prolonged labor and delivery or forceps delivery. The baby's birth weight is low and may be the reason for HIE.
To diagnose HIE in infants, doctors take a look at the infant's APGAR scores and any signs of neurological impairment. A low APGAR score can signal the need for immediate medical intervention. Doctors can also use blood tests to gauge acid build-up in the umbilical artery, which can indicate that a baby is suffering from an oxygen deficiency or a decreased flow of blood to the brain.
If a physician suspects that a child is suffering from HIE, they will often employ a treatment known as therapeutic hypothermia to treat the condition. During this treatment the child is placed in a cool blanket and given medication to help him or her sleep. During cooling, doctors will monitor the infant's heart rate, body temperature, breathing and brain activity.
Once a baby has been fully warmed up then a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan will be conducted. MRIs are the best method to determine HIE and the pattern of its injury. The results of an MRI can sometimes show an injury time-frame which is useful in determining if the child's symptoms are caused by HIE.
If you are diagnosed with HIE infants should be closely monitored throughout their lives. They will see a neurologist and a neonatologist, and may receive physical, speech, or occupational therapy in order to cope with their symptoms. The goal is to assist these children achieve their full potential and get them as healthy as they can.