Guide To Birth Injury Case Evaluation: The Intermediate Guide The Steps To Birth Injury Case Evaluation

Birth Injury Case Evaluation

Children who suffer from preventable birth injuries face astronomical medical bills, daunting therapies and permanent disability. Medical malpractice claims can alleviate financial burdens and also provide justice.

To be successful in a claim lawyers must prove that the hospitals or doctors violated accepted standards of care during labor and birth. This is typically accomplished through an exhaustive review of medical records or expert witness testimony.

Cerebral palsy

Cerebral Palsy Also called cerebral palsy is a permanent disability caused by an injury to the central nervous system. This can occur during pregnancy (perinatal) or in early childhood. It affects a variety of body movements. It may be mild, moderate or severe in severity. The symptoms can differ based on age, but the condition is not progressive.

It is not a testable condition unlike other conditions. A thorough and comprehensive evaluation can help medical professionals determine if a child's condition is caused by cerebral palsy. This includes a thorough mobility and neurological assessment.

The tests will assess the child's muscles, posture, balance, reflexes, capacity to move and other factors that influence a child's movements. A musculoskeletal exam can detect hip dislocations, scoliosis, and contractures. A speech and language assessment will also show a child's intellectual development as well as their capacity to make speech sounds.

Cerebral Palsy is diagnosed using neuroimaging which allows doctors to view the brain in great detail. This is a non-invasive method to determine the severity of brain injury. However, it doesn't allow doctors to predict the effect of that injury lawyers near me on the child's symptoms.

Children may not be diagnosed with cerebral palsy until they are several years old as the symptoms can vary. The classification of a disorder by severity, topographic location and muscle tone can be useful in determining a child's level of impairment and influencing the treatment.

Physical and occupational therapy are among the most effective treatments for Cerebral Palsy. These therapies can improve the mobility of children and decrease the risk of developing joint deformities, such as scoliosis. Speech therapy and adaptive equipment can also aid the child in their daily activities and enable him or her to better interact with family members and other. Based on the specific circumstances of the child's condition, there are also several types of financial assistance available. There are also charity groups and foundations that can pay for medical treatment and care.

Brachial Plexus Injury

A brachial plexus injury is caused by an injury to the five nerves that originate from the spinal cord at the neck and conduct signals from the spinal cord to the shoulder, arm and hand. The brachial plexus is located on both sides of the body. Some infants can recover without treatment, however the majority will benefit from occupational and physical therapy. A smaller proportion of infants may require surgery to get excellent results.

A baby with a brachial plexus injury is diagnosed by their primary physician according to their medical history and physical exam. Doctors can order specific imaging tests such as an MRI, CT scan or nerve conduction studies, however these tests are less reliable for babies. Doctors can assess the strength and range of motion of a child's arms through gentle exercises for range of motion. This helps them monitor the progress over time.

The symptoms of a plexus injury attorney vary depending on the extent of the injury and the nerves are affected. The signs can include weakness of the arm, a lack of muscle movement and decreased sensation (feeling) in the hand. The symptoms usually affect just one side of the body. However, occasionally both sides can be affected.

Neonatal brachial-plexus palsy (NBPP) is the most common cause of a birth injury that affects the brachial plexus however, it can occur from other causes. Babies who are large or have a breech position or who are pulled forcibly during delivery may be at a higher risk of suffering from a brachial Injury. This type of injury is also prevalent in athletes who play contact sports like football, and from blunt trauma.

NBPP can be identified at an early age, usually within six to eight weeks after birth. Most children will recover without intervention, but those that are not able to improve by the end of one month should be assessed by a team of professionals who can manage the disorder. These teams are usually made comprising an orthopedist for children as well as a physiatrist, and a physical therapy.

Erb's Palsy

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

A physician can diagnose Erb's palsy by performing a physical examination of the infant's arm. The health care provider looks for a lack of movement in the affected hand as well as a shaky wrist and a decrease in Moro reflexes (the infant's involuntary response to a loss of head support). The health care professional could also recommend an imaging test, like an ultrasound or X-ray, or a nerve test, such as an electromyogram or an examination of nerve conduction.

In many cases, Erb's paralysis is caused by an inexperienced clinician applying too much lateral traction to the infant during a forceps birth. This type of traction can be reduced by using the shorter second stage of labor, or by placing the mother on her back during a portion of the delivery. A doctor can also help in reducing the chance of this kind of injury by giving birth via C-section.

Other brachial plexus injury is possible in addition to Erb's palsy. Klumpke palsy is a more severe form of this condition that involves injury to the brachial plexus nerves in the lower region. This kind of injury is often referred to as a "waiter's tip" posture due to the fact that the limb hangs down by the side and is rotated medially pronated, flexed and extended at the wrist.

It is essential to seek out a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you can if your child has been diagnosed with any of these issues. Beth has over 18 years of experience in the birth and labor process and can help determine if the doctor treating your child was negligent and may have caused these preventable injuries.

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) Also known as hypoxic brain damage, is a condition that occurs when a birth defect reduces the oxygen and blood supply to the newborn. HIE is a serious illness that can lead to permanent serious brain damage. HIE's effects can be severe or mild and usually start within a few weeks after birth. HIE is a condition that belongs to a larger group of birth-related injuries referred to as neonatal Encephalopathy.

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

To determine if a child has HIE doctors will analyze the infant's APGAR score and search for signs of a neurological impairment. A low APGAR score may indicate the need for medical intervention. Doctors may also use tests on blood to determine the level of acid in the umbilical cord, which can indicate that a baby has suffered from an oxygen deficit or decreased blood flow to the brain.

If a child is suspected to have HIE, doctors will often try to treat it using a procedure known as therapeutic hypothermia. In this method, the child is placed in a cooling blanket, and medicine is given to help them sleep. During the cooling process doctors continuously keep track of the heart rate, breathing status and body temperature, in addition to brain activity.

Once a baby has been fully restored to its original temperature then the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is performed. MRIs are the best way to determine HIE and its particular injury attorneys pattern. The results of an MRI can show an injury time frame which is useful in determining whether the child's symptoms may be due to HIE.

After a HIE diagnosis, babies will need to be monitored closely for the rest their lives. They will visit a neurologist and a neonatologist, and may receive physical, speech, or occupational therapy to manage their symptoms. The aim is to assist these children realize their full potential and make them as healthy as they can.