Twenty Myths About Birth Injury Case Evaluation: Busted
Birth Injury Case Evaluation
Children with unavoidable birth injuries are faced with astronomical medical bills, adversity in treatment and permanent disabilities. Medical malpractice claims can help to ease financial burdens, and offer justice.
In order to win the case lawyers must show that hospitals or doctors did not follow accepted standards of care in labor and delivery. This is usually accomplished by an exhaustive review of medical records, or expert witness testimony.
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy is also called cerebral palsy is a permanent impairment resulted from an injury to the central nervous system. This can occur during pregnancy (perinatal), or in the early years of childhood. It can affect a broad range body movements, and its intensity can be mild to severe. The symptoms can differ based on age, however the condition is not progressive.
In contrast to other conditions, it isn't a condition that can be tested. A thorough and comprehensive evaluation can help medical professionals determine if a child's condition is due to cerebral palsy. This includes a thorough assessment of mobility and neurological issues.
The evaluations will examine the child's muscle tone, posture and balance, reflexes, capacity to move, and other aspects that impact a child's movement. A musculoskeletal examination can identify issues like hip dislocations, scoliosis or contractures. Additionally an evaluation of speech and language can indicate a child's level of development in terms of intelligence and speech production.
Neuroimaging, an imaging that permits doctors to view the brain in greater detail, is often used in diagnosing Cerebral Palsy. This is a noninvasive way to determine the severity of brain damage. It is not able to help doctors to predict the impact 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 fluctuate. The classification of a condition in terms of severity, topographical location and muscle tone can be helpful in determining the severity of impairment and influencing treatment.
Physical and occupational therapy are the most effective treatment options for Cerebral Palsy. These can help improve the mobility of a child and reduce the chance of developing joint deformities such as scoliosis. Speech therapy and the use of adaptive equipment can help in the child's daily activities and allow him or her to interact more fully with family members and others. There are a variety of options for financial aid available based on the circumstances surrounding the child's health. There are also charities and foundations that can help pay for treatment and care.
Brachial Plexus Injuries
A brachial plexus injury is caused by an injury law firm to the five nerves that branch off from the spinal cord in the neck and transmit signals from the spinal cord to the shoulder, arm and hand. Each side of the body has a brachial plexus. 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 might require surgical intervention to achieve good results.
A baby who has an injury law firm to the brachial plexus is diagnosed by their primary care doctor according to their medical history and physical examination. Doctors can request special imaging tests like an MRI, CT scan or nerve conduction studies, however these tests are not as reliable for babies. Doctors can also assess the strength and flexibility of the child's muscles in their arms by doing mild range of motion exercises which aids in tracking the development of their muscles over time.
The signs and symptoms of brachial plexus injuries can vary based on the severity of the injury and the specific nerves affected. The signs can include weakness of the arm, muscle movement, and diminished sensation (feeling) in the hand. Often the symptoms affect one side of the body, but often both sides are equally affected.
The most common cause is Neonatal Brachial Plexus Palsy (NBPP) however, it can also be caused by other causes. Babies who are large or have a breech position or must be forcibly pulled during birth could be more at risk of a brachial plexus injury. This type of injury can also occur in athletes who participate in contact sports, such as football and 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 one month should be assessed by a team that can manage the condition. The teams typically consist up of a pediatric orthopedist, a physiatrist and a physical therapist.
Erb's Palsy
The brachial plexus (pronounced brake-ee-al) is a collection of nerves running from the spinal cord to the shoulder, then down the arm to the hand. If this group of nerves is damaged during delivery, it may cause weakness or paralysis in the affected arm. Erb's Palsy is the most common kind. It is caused by significant stretching or tearing the upper brachial nerves the delivery.
A physician can diagnose Erb palsy through a physical exam of the infant's hand. The doctor looks for a lack in movement in the affected hand as well as a shaky wrist and a lack in Moro reflexes (the infant's involuntary response to a loss in head support). The health care professional may also request an imaging test, such as an X-ray or ultrasound, or a nerve test, such as an electromyogram, or an examination of nerve conduction.
In many cases, Erb’s palsy is caused when an untrained doctor applies too much lateral pressure to the infant during the forceps delivery. This type of traction can be minimized by having the shorter second stage of labor, or by placing the mother on her back for a portion of the delivery. A doctor can also help in reducing the risk of this type of injury by giving birth via C-section.
Several other types of injuries to the brachial system can occur in addition to Erb's palsy. Klumpke palsy is a more serious form of this condition, which causes lawyer injury near me to the nerves of the lower brachial plexus. This kind of Best injury lawyers - dokuwiki.Stream - could be referred to as "waiter's tips" because the limb is held to the side, rotated to the medially and pronated. It also is extended, flexed and extended at the wrist.
If your child is diagnosed with one of these conditions it is essential to speak with an attorney for medical malpractice immediately. Beth has over 18 years of experience in labor and birth, and she can help determine if the doctor who treated your child committed acts of negligence which could have led to these avoidable injuries.
Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy
Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) Also known as hypoxic brain damage, occurs when a problem during birth reduces blood and oxygen supply to the newborn. HIE is a serious illness that can lead to permanent, severe brain damage. The effects of HIE can vary from mild to extreme, and usually start within a few days after birth. HIE is a condition that is part of the larger category of birth-related injuries referred to as neonatal encephalopathy.
An infant can develop HIE due to complications during labor and delivery, such as excessive bleeding in the mother's blood vessels, a breech birth, prolonged labor and delivery or a forceps delivery. The baby's birth weight is low and could be the cause of HIE.
To diagnose HIE, doctors will evaluate the infant's APGAR scores and look for signs of neurological impairment. A low APGAR score may indicate the need for immediate medical intervention. Doctors can use blood tests to measure the amount of acid that builds up in the umbilical chord, which can indicate that a baby may have been suffering from an oxygen shortage or decreased blood flow.
If a doctor suspects that a child is suffering from HIE is a common suspicion, they'll employ a treatment known as therapeutic hypothermia in order to treat the condition. During this treatment the infant is placed into an ice-cold blanket and medication is administered to help them sleep. During cooling, doctors will check the infant's heart rate, breathing, body temperature and brain activity.
Once a baby has been fully restored to its original temperature then a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan will be conducted. 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 the 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 pediatrician and neurologist, and may undergo physical, speech or occupational therapy to help them deal with their symptoms. The goal is to get the children as healthy as possible and help them achieve their full potential.