10 Factors To Know About Birth Injury Case Evaluation You Didn't Learn…

Birth Injury Case Evaluation

Children with preventable birth injuries face astronomical medical bills, adversity in treatment and permanent disability. Making medical providers accountable through medical malpractice lawsuits could help ease the financial burdens and ensure justice.

To be successful in a claim attorneys must show that the doctors or hospitals did not follow accepted standards of care during labor and delivery. This is usually accomplished by an in-depth examination of medical records or expert witness testimony.

cerebral palsy lawyer palsy

Cerebral Palsy, also known as cerebral palsy, is a permanent impairment resulted from an injury to the central nervous system. It can occur during pregnancy (perinatal), or in early childhood. It affects a variety of body movements. It can be mild, moderate, or severe birth injury lawyers in intensity. Its symptoms can vary by age, but it is not a progressive condition.

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

The evaluations will look at the child's muscle tone and balance, as well as their reactions and ability to move. A musculoskeletal exam can detect hip dislocations, 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.

Cerebral Palsy is diagnosed using neuroimaging, which allows doctors to look at the brain in detail. This is a noninvasive method to determine the severity of brain damage. It doesn't allow doctors to determine the effects of the injury on a child’s symptoms.

Some children may not be diagnosed with cerebral palsy until they are several years old because symptoms can vary. The classification of a disorder by severity, topographic location, and muscle tone can be useful in determining the severity of impairment and impacting treatment.

The most effective treatments for Cerebral Palsy include physical and occupational therapy. These therapies can increase the mobility of children and decrease the risk of developing joint deformities, like scoliosis. Speech therapy and adaptive equipment can also assist the child with the daily tasks and allow them to better interact with their family and friends. There are several financial aid options available depending on the circumstances surrounding the child's condition. This includes charity groups and foundations that help ease the burden of the cost of a child's treatment and care.

Brachial Plexus Injuries

A brachial plexus injury can be caused by an injury to the five nerves that branch off from the spinal cord in the neck and conduct signals from the spinal cord to the arm, shoulder and hand. Each side of the body has a brachial-plexus. Some infants suffering from brachial plexus injuries will recover without treatment, however the majority will benefit from physical and occupational therapy. A smaller proportion of infants may require surgical intervention to achieve good results.

A doctor is able to diagnose a baby's 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 are less accurate for infants. Doctors can assess the strength and range of motion of the infant's arms by doing gentle range-of-motion exercises. This allows them to track the recovery over time.

The signs and symptoms of a brachial plexus injury vary depending on the severity of the injury and the nerves are affected. The signs can include weakness of the arm, poor muscle movement and decreased sensation (feeling) in the hand. The symptoms typically affect only one side of the body. However, occasionally both sides can be affected.

The most frequently cited reason is Neonatal Brachial plexus Palsy (NBPP), but 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 those who must be pulled during delivery. This kind of injury is also prevalent for athletes who participate in contact sports like football, and from blunt trauma.

NBPP is a condition that can be diagnosed early, usually within six weeks after birth. Most children recover without intervention, however those that do not improve within a month have to be evaluated by a specialized team. These teams usually consist of an orthopedic surgeon for children along working with Birth injury Lawyers a physiatrist as well as physical therapy.

Erb's Palsy

The brachial plexus lawyer (brake-ee-al) brachial plexus is a group of nerves that connect the spinal cord to the shoulder, and then down the arm into the hand. If this nerve system becomes damaged during delivery, it can cause weakness or paralysis in the affected arm. Erb's Palsy is the most common type. It is caused by significant stretching or tear to the upper brachial nerves during the birth.

A doctor can identify Erb palsy through an examination of the baby's hand. The doctor will look for a lack of movement in the affected arm, a weak wrist and lack of Moro reflex (the infant's involuntary response to a lack of head support). The health professional may also order an imaging or nerve test like an X-ray, an electromyogram, or ultrasound, or a study of nerve conduction.

In many cases, Erb’s palsy can occur when an inexperienced physician applies too much lateral pressure to the infant during delivery with forceps. This type of traction could be reduced by using the shorter second stage of labor, or by having the mother lie on her back during part of the delivery. A doctor can help reduce the chance of this kind of injury by delivering by C-section.

Many other kinds of brachial plexus injuries can occur in addition to Erb's palsy. Klumpke palsy is a more serious form of this condition that involves injury to the lower brachial plexus nerves. This kind of injury could be referred to as "waiter's tips" because the limb is suspended by the side, rotated medially and pronated. It also is extended, flexed and flexed at the wrist.

If your child is diagnosed with any of these ailments it is essential to talk with a medical malpractice attorney right away. Beth has more than 18 years of specialist expertise in labor and birth and can assist in determining whether your child's doctor has committed a mistake that could have caused these avoidable injuries.

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

Hypoxic encephalopathy ischemic (HIE) occurs when a birth issue reduces blood flow and oxygen to the infant. HIE is a serious brain condition that can cause permanent brain damage. HIE's effects may be either severe or mild, and typically begin within a few weeks after birth. HIE is a condition that is part of a larger group of birth-related injuries referred to as neonatal encephalopathy.

HIE can be caused by problems during labor and birth. These can include excessive bleeding in the mother’s blood vessels and forceps delivery, long labor and bleeding excessively. A baby's weight loss may be the reason for HIE.

To diagnose HIE doctors will look at the infant's APGAR score and search for signs of a neurological impairment. A low APGAR can be a sign that you need immediate medical treatment. Doctors can conduct blood tests to determine the amount of acid that builds up in the umbilical chord which can indicate that a baby may have suffered from an oxygen shortage or a decrease in blood flow.

If a physician suspects that a child is suffering from HIE and suspects that they have it, they usually use a treatment called therapeutic hypothermia to combat the condition. During this treatment the infant is placed in an ice-cold blanket and medication is administered to help them sleep. During the cooling process doctors will continuously monitor the heart rate, breathing state and body temperature, as well as brain activity.

After the baby has fully re-warmed a magnetic resonance image (MRI) will be performed. MRIs are the most effective way to detect HIE and its specific injury pattern. An MRI could provide a time frame for the injury, which can be useful in determining if a child's symptoms are caused by HIE.

Following an HIE diagnosis, babies will need to be closely monitored throughout their lives. They'll see a neonatologist and neurologist, and could have physical, speech and occupational therapy to help them deal with their symptoms. The aim is to assist these children realize their full potential and get as healthy as possible.