Birth Injury Attorney
Medical malpractice claims involving birth injuries are complex. The plaintiff must demonstrate that the doctor was unable to provide a reasonable medical treatment and thereby caused injury.
These cases often involve expert witnesses to help establish that the doctor's treatment fell below accepted standards within their field. They also need to prove that the child suffered compensable damages.
Brachial plexus Injury
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that extends from the spinal cord to the arm and shoulder. Symptoms of a brachial plexus injury may include pain, weakness or loss of movement in the shoulder, hand, and arm. A few patients suffering from this condition are able to recover their function without treatment, whereas others will need physical or occupational therapy to improve their outcomes.
X-rays can be taken of the shoulders, neck and arms to look for bone fractures. MRI is also frequently used to assess the brachial plexus. The imaging test produces clear pictures of structures that are dense such as bones with a small amount of radiation. The technician could inject a color around the spinal cord to improve the MRI images. The doctor may also order an CT myelogram scan in order to check the vertebrae. This test is especially helpful for detecting spinal nerve avulsion injury.
pittsburgh birth injury attorney is usually the first step in determining whether or not a child is suffering from an injury to the brachial plexus. The doctor will assess how the affected side feels, looks and functions with the side that is not injured. Electrodiagnostic testing or X-rays may confirm the diagnosis.
Some children with brachial plexus injuries heal on their own, however certain children require physical or occupational therapy. The team of specialists will assess those who require therapy, including an orthopaedic surgeon, physiotherapist and plastic surgeon.
The team will create a treatment plan for the patient that is most efficient. The treatment plan could include stretching, exercises, positioning as well as splinting or surgery. It is crucial that children with this condition seek out a specialist because it may take some time before the nerves recover.
An experienced Santa Fe birth injury attorney can help parents obtain compensation for their child's medical care as well as future costs. They can work with medical professionals to collect the required documents and file a lawsuit if appropriate. They can also negotiate with hospitals and doctors to obtain the maximum amount of compensation for the family. Contact a knowledgeable lawyer immediately if your child is injured due to negligence in labor or delivery.
Erb's Palsy
An error by a doctor during the delivery can cause Erb's palsy, which is defined by damage to the nerves that run through the brachial plexus. This can result in weakness or paralysis of the arm and, sometimes, the hand. In many instances, the fingers of the hand affected are sagging or in the "waiter’s tip" position. This means they are bent inwards towards the body. The injury affects the shoulder, arm and elbow. The symptoms of the condition are difficulty moving the arm and/or hand as well as tingling or numbness in the hand, as well as an inability to bend the elbow or lift the arm away from the body.
Most of the time the problem will go away by itself. If the condition does not improve after physiotherapy, then your doctor may suggest surgery. This could include nerve grafts, tendon transfers or muscle repair surgery. The time to recover could last months or even years because nerves grow and heal slowly.
If the negligence of the medical team caused your child's Erb's Palsy or other physical disability, you may make a birth injury claim. A qualified Erb's palsy attorney will help you determine whether your case is valid and help you decide on the next steps to take. If a case has merit an attorney can work to get the financial compensation your child needs for his injury.
Families with children with Erb's palsy face significant health costs. A qualified Erb's palsy lawyer can help you win an equitable settlement to ensure your child will receive the care they need now and in the future.
If your child has been diagnosed with Erb's Palsy, contact an experienced santa birth injury attorney. A lawyer who is knowledgeable can help you understand and assert your rights under the law, as well as file a medical negligence lawsuit to receive the financial compensation that you deserve. To win a birth injury lawsuit an attorney must establish that the condition of your child was the result of the care provider's negligence. This requires a thorough investigation, which is why you should choose an attorney who has experience in this type of case.
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
HIE is a condition that occurs when a baby is deficient in oxygen during pregnancy, delivery or immediately after birth. The condition can affect not only the brain but also other organs, such as the lungs, heart and liver. HIE can cause irreparable, permanent damage that impacts the child's cognitive, physical and behavioral functioning. It is the most significant cause of infant death and permanent disability in the United States.
The severity of HIE is determined by the duration of time that the brain was deprive of oxygen. Infants suffering from mild HIE cases can recover completely and not develop any disabilities. However, those with severe or moderate HIE cases are more likely have lifelong health problems. These issues can include epilepsy, hearing or visual impairments, and cerebral palsy.
HIE can be caused by birth complications like uterine ruptures, cord prolapses, placentas previas or breech presentations. The risk of HIE can be minimized by a C section however, doctors must perform it as soon as possible so as to not cut off the oxygen to the baby's brain. The use of labor induction drugs Pitocin or Cytotec could also result in a dangerous complication called hyperstimulation. This can hinder the flow of oxygen to the lungs of the baby.
The symptoms of HIE can be hard to identify, particularly during the first few hours following birth. A newborn with HIE can be floppy and unable to respond to sounds or sights, or they could become tense and respond more intensely to stimulation than a typical newborn. They can also have issues with eating due to weak muscles in their throat and mouth. Other signs include an abnormally low Apgar score, the presence of meconium in the umbilical cord's fluid and abnormal fetal heart rate tracings.
The most common treatment of HIE is therapeutic cooling, which is also known as hypothermia. This involves gradually cooling an infant down to 92°F over a number of days, and then slowly warming them. It is essential that HIE is diagnosed as soon possible to allow the baby to receive this treatment. The cooling process decreases the amount of oxygen-rich brain blood and reduces toxins.
Birth asphyxia
Birth asphyxia is when a baby's brain is not receiving enough oxygen throughout or shortly after birth. It can be caused by a variety of conditions or circumstances, and can be fatal in severe cases. Birth asphyxia is usually associated with hypoxic-ischemic (HIE) which is a brain injury that can lead to permanent disabilities such as cerebral palsy.
HIE can be prevented by prompt treatment. This includes therapeutic hypothermia, which reduces the risk of death or serious disability from 62-48%. The therapy should begin within six hours after birth. It could include complete body cooling, fluid support via a drip, and medication to treat blood pressure and seizures problems.
The most frequent causes of birth asphyxia are hemorrhage, infections, abnormalities of the placenta, uterine dysfunction, and cord problems. Birth asphyxia can also be caused by medical negligence. If your child is injured in this manner, you should consult an attorney for birth injuries right away.
Birth asphyxia can trigger various symptoms, depending on the extent and duration of the oxygen deprivation. The symptoms may include a lack of energy, poor muscular tone, or breathing issues. In some instances babies can suffer from severe neurological problems, such as seizures or learning disabilities.
A Santa Fe birth injury attorney can assist you in determining if your child's condition is the result of a medical mistake and submit a claim to recover compensation against the negligent healthcare provider. You'll need to collect many documents, including medical records, doctor and hospital notes, and any other documents relevant to your child's medical care. The more information your attorney has, the easier to prove that there was a mistake and obtain compensation for the injury your child sustained.
Birth asphyxia, despite being prevented, is still the main cause of infant deaths and serious impairments. The reason for this is an absence of oxygen to the brain, and can lead to various other complications, including Erb's palsy, or HIE. Our lawyers can help you recover the compensation you need to pay for rehabilitative services and other costs.