Birth Injury Attorney
Birth injuries are a complex area of medical malpractice. The plaintiff must show that the doctor failed to provide reasonable medical care and caused injury.
Expert witnesses are often sought to prove that the doctor's treatment was below the accepted standards of their field. They must also prove that the child suffered compensable injuries.
Brachial plexus Injury
The brachial plexus is a system of nerves that extend from the spinal cord to the arm and shoulder. A brachial injury can cause pain or weakness, as well as loss of motion in the hand, arm, and shoulder. Some patients with this condition will be able to return to their normal activities without treatment, whereas others may require occupational or physical therapy in order to improve their outcomes.
X-rays are taken of the shoulders, neck and arms to look for bone fractures. MRI is often used to assess brachial plexus. This imaging test creates clear images of dense structures such as bones, with a small amount of radiation. The technician may inject a dye in the spinal nerves to enhance the appearance on the MRI images. The doctor will also likely request a computed tomography (CT) myelogram scan to look at the vertebrae. This test is particularly helpful in the detection of spinal nerve avulsions.
A physical examination is typically the first step to determine whether or not a child suffers an injury to the brachial plexus. The provider will compare the function, sensation and appearance of the injured side to the uninjured side. Electrodiagnostic tests and Xrays can aid in confirming the diagnosis.
Certain children who have injuries to their brachial plexus recover naturally. Others may require physical or occupational therapy. Those that need therapy will be evaluated by a team of specialists comprising a plastic surgeon, orthopaedic surgeon, physiotherapist and physiotherapist.
The team will design an appropriate treatment plan for the patient that is the most efficient. The treatment plan may include stretching, exercises, and positioning, splinting, or surgery. It's important that children with this condition see a specialist, because it will take some time for the nerves to recover.
An experienced Santa Fe birth injury lawyer can help parents get compensation for their child's medical care as well as future costs. They can collaborate with medical professionals to gather the required documentation and file a suit should it be necessary. They will also bargain with doctors and hospitals to get the maximum amount of compensation that is possible for the family. Contact an experienced lawyer right away when your child has been injured due to negligence during labor or birth.
Erb's Palsy
Erb's Palsy can be caused by a medical error in the delivery room. It is characterized as a deterioration of the upper brachial nerves. This can cause weakness or paralysis of the arm, and occasionally, the hand. In many instances the fingers of the affected arm droop downward or be in what's known as the "waiter's tip" position, which means that they are bent towards the body. The injury could affect the shoulder, arm, and elbow. The symptoms of the condition include difficulty moving the arm and/or hand and numbness or tingling sensations in the hand, as well as an inability to bend the elbow or lift the arm away from the body.
In most instances, the problem will resolve on its own, without treatment. If the condition does not improve with physiotherapy then your doctor may suggest surgery. This could include nerve grafts, tendon transfers or muscle repair surgery. Nerves develop and recover slowly, so the recovery period can take months or even years.
If the negligence of the medical team caused your child's Erb's syndrome, you can bring a birth injury lawsuit. An experienced attorney for Erb's Palsy can assist you in determining whether your case is valid and advise you on the next steps you should take. An attorney can assist you to obtain financial compensation if the case is legitimate.
Children with Erb's palsy are faced with high medical costs and out-of-pocket expenses. A qualified Erb’s palsy attorney can help you win an equitable settlement to ensure that your children can receive the care and support they need today and in the future.
Contact an experienced santa-fe birth injury lawyer if your child is diagnosed with Erb's Palsy. A legal professional who is experienced can assist you in understanding and enforce your rights as a legal person as well as make a claim for medical negligence to secure the financial compensation that you are entitled to. Lawyers must prove negligence on the part of the medical professional to prevail in a birth injury case. This requires a thorough analysis of the facts. That is why it's essential to choose an attorney who is familiar with this type of case.
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
HIE is a condition that occurs when a baby is deprived of oxygen during pregnancy, birth or right after birth. The condition can affect the brain but also other organs such as the lungs, heart, and liver. HIE can cause severe, permanent damage to a child's long-term cognitive and physical functioning as well as behavioral. It is one of the most frequent causes of infant deaths and permanent disability in the United States.
The severity of an incident of HIE depends on the length of time the brain was deprived of oxygen. chicago birth injury attorneys with mild cases of HIE may fully recover and not suffer from any disabilities, while those who suffer from moderate or severe cases are more likely to experience long-term health issues. These may include epilepsy, visual or hearing impairments, and cerebral palsy.
HIE is usually caused by complications during a birth, including uterine rupture, cord prolapse, placenta previa or breech presentation. The risks can be reduced by a C section, however, doctors must perform it as quickly as possible to prevent cutting off oxygen flow to the baby's brain. Additionally the use of drugs used to induce labor Pitocin and Cytotec can result in a potentially dangerous condition known as hyperstimulation which can block the flow of oxygen into the baby's lungs.
Symptoms of HIE are difficult to recognize, especially in the first hours after birth. A baby with HIE may be floppy and unresponsive to sights or sounds, or they may become very stressed and respond more strongly to stimulation than a typical newborn. They may also experience feeding problems due to weak muscles in their throat and mouth. Other signs include an insufficient Apgar and the presence of meconium within the umbilical fluid and abnormal fetal pulse tracings.
The most commonly used treatment for HIE is therapeutic hypothermia also known as cooling therapy. It involves slowly cooling an infant to about 92 degrees Fahrenheit over several days, and then slowly warming them. It is crucial that HIE be diagnosed as soon as possible so the baby can receive this treatment. The cooling process decreases blood flow to the brain that is oxygen-rich and also reduces toxins.
Asphyxia at birth
Birth asphyxia is when a baby doesn't get enough oxygen to their brain at or near the time of birth. This can be caused by a range of conditions or circumstances, and can even be fatal in severe instances. Most often, birth asphyxia results in hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIE), which is a type of brain damage that can result in long-term problems like cerebral palsy, among other disabilities.
HIE can be prevented by prompt treatment. This includes therapeutic hypothermia, which reduces the chance of dying or serious disability from 62-48 percent. This therapy must begin within six hours after birth. It could include all-body cooling, fluid support via drips, and medications to treat seizures or blood pressure.
The most common causes of birth asphyxia include hemorrhage, infection, placental abnormalities, uterine dysfunction, and cord problems. Birth asphyxia could also be due to negligence by a medical professional, which is why it is important to speak with an experienced birth injury attorney right away in the event that your child has been affected by this type of trauma.
Birth asphyxia can trigger many different symptoms, depending on the intensity and duration of oxygen deprivation. The symptoms may include a lack of energy, poor muscular tone, or breathing issues. In certain cases, babies may have severe neurological problems, including seizure disorders, learning disabilities, or developmental delays.
A Santa Fe birth injury attorney can help you determine whether your child's illness is the result of an error in medicine and make a claim for compensation against the negligent healthcare provider. You'll need to gather a lot of documentation including medical records and hospital notes, doctor's notes and other documents pertaining to the care you provide your child. The more information you can gather the more straightforward it is for your attorney to prove negligence and obtain compensation for your child's injuries.
Despite being preventable, birth asphyxia is still the leading cause of infant deaths and severe impairments. The cause is the lack of oxygen to the brain, and can cause a myriad of other complications such as Erb's palsy, or HIE. Our attorneys can help you get the compensation you need to pay for rehabilitative services and other costs.