Birth Injury Attorney
Birth injuries are a tangled area of medical malpractice. The plaintiff must demonstrate that the doctor failed to provide a reasonable medical treatment and thereby caused injury.
These cases often require expert witnesses to prove that the doctor's treatment was not in accordance with accepted standards in their field of expertise. They must be able to prove that the child suffered compensable damage.
Injury to the Brachial Plexus
The brachialplexus is a nerve network that extends from your spinal cord to the shoulder and arm. The symptoms of a brachial injury could include weakness, pain, or loss of mobility in the shoulder, hand, and arm. Certain patients are able to recover their function without treatment. Others will require occupational or physical therapy.
To determine if there are fractures, Xrays of the shoulder and neck can be taken. MRI is often used to determine the brachial-plexus. The imaging test provides clear images of structures that are dense, such as bones and tendons, while delivering only a small amount of radiation. The technician could inject a color around the spinal cord to enhance the MRI images. The doctor may also order an CT myelogram scan in order to check the vertebrae. This test is particularly useful to detect the avulsion of the spinal nerve.
A physical exam is usually the first step in determining whether or not a child is suffering from an injury to the brachial plexus. The doctor will evaluate the function, sensation and appearance of the injured side to the uninjured side. Electrodiagnostic tests or X-rays can confirm the diagnosis.
Some children who suffer from brachial plexus injuries heal themselves, but certain children require physical or occupational therapy. The team of specialists will evaluate those who require therapy, including an orthopaedic surgeon, physiotherapist and plastic surgeon.
The team will design a treatment plan for the patient that is the most efficient. The treatment plan could include stretching, exercises, placing, splinting or surgery. It is essential that children suffering from this condition see a specialist for treatment, as it takes some time for the nerves to recover.
An experienced santa-fe birth injury lawyer can assist parents receive compensation for their child's therapy, medical care and future expenses. They can collaborate with medical professionals in order to gather the required documents and file a lawsuit should it be required. They will also negotiate with hospitals and doctors to obtain the maximum amount of compensation for the family. Contact an experienced lawyer immediately if your child is injured due to negligence in labor or delivery.
Erb's Palsy
Erb's palsy may be caused by negligence of a doctor in the delivery room. It is characterized as a result of damage to the upper brachial nerves. This can lead to weakness or paralysis in the arm and sometimes 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 toward the body. The injury may affect the arm, shoulder, and elbow. Symptoms of the condition include difficulties moving the arm or hand, numbness or tingling in the hand, and an inability to bend the elbow or lift the arm away from the body.
Most of the time the problem will go away on its own. If the condition doesn't improve after physiotherapy, then your doctor may suggest surgery. This may involve nerve grafts, tendon transfers or a muscle repair surgery. Nerves develop and recover slowly, which means that the time to recover can be months or even years.
If the negligence of the medical team caused your child's Erb's palsy or other physical disability, you may bring a birth injury lawsuit. A qualified lawyer for Erb's Palsy can help you determine whether your case is legitimate and provide you with guidance on the next steps. If a case has merit an attorney can help to obtain the financial compensation you need for your child's injury.
Families of children suffering from Erb's palsy face expensive health care costs and out-of-pocket expenses. A qualified attorney for Erb's Palsy can help you win an equitable settlement, so that your children can receive the assistance and care they require today and in the future.
Contact a seasoned Santa-fe birth injury lawyer if your child is diagnosed with Erb’s palsy. A legal professional who is experienced can help you understand and assert your rights under the law and also make a claim for medical negligence to get the financial compensation that you are entitled to. Lawyers must demonstrate the negligence of the care provider to win a birth injury case. This requires a thorough examination of the facts. This is why it's essential to select an attorney who has experience in this kind of case.
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
HIE is a condition that occurs when a baby is deficient in oxygen during labor or delivery, or right after birth. The condition can affect not only the brain but also other organs like the heart, lungs, and liver. HIE can cause irreparable, permanent damage that impacts a child's long-term cognitive and physical health as well as their behavioral. It is one of the most frequent causes of infant mortality and permanent disability in the United States.
The severity of HIE is determined by the length of time the brain was deprived of oxygen. Infants with mild HIE cases can recover completely and have no impairments. However, those who have severe or moderate HIE cases are more likely have health issues that persist for the rest of their lives. These problems include epilepsy and hearing or visual impairments.
HIE can be caused by birth complications like uterine ruptures, cord prolapses, placentas prior to birth or breech presentations. The risk of HIE can be decreased through a C-section, however medical professionals must carry out the procedure in the shortest time possible to ensure that oxygen is not cut off to the baby's brain. The use of labor induction drugs Pitocin or Cytotec may also cause a dangerous complication called hyperstimulation. This can hinder the flow of air to the lungs of the baby.
The signs of HIE are difficult to identify, particularly during the first few hours following birth. A baby with HIE could be floppy and unresponsive to sounds or sights, or they could become very tense. They may also be more responsive to stimulation. A weak mouth and throat muscles can lead to problems with feeding. Other symptoms include an abnormally low Apgar score, presence of meconium in the umbilical cord fluid and abnormal fetal heart rate tracer.
The most common treatment for HIE is therapeutic hypothermia also known as cooling therapy. This involves gradually cooling a newborn to around 92 degrees Fahrenheit over a few days, before slowly warming them. It is essential that HIE is diagnosed as soon possible to allow the baby to receive this treatment. The cooling process reduces oxygen-rich brain blood and decreases toxins.
Asphyxia at birth
Birth asphyxia happens when a baby isn't getting enough oxygen to their brain during or around the time of birth. This can be caused by a variety of conditions or circumstances, and may be fatal in severe cases. Most often, birth asphyxia results in hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIE), which is a brain injury that can cause long-term conditions like cerebral palsy and other disabilities.
HIE can be prevented through prompt treatment. This includes therapeutic hypothermia, which reduces the chance of dying or serious disability from 62-48 percent. This treatment should be initiated within six hours of birth. It can include total body cooling, fluid support using drips, and medication to treat blood pressure or seizures issues.
Hemorrhage, infection and placental abnormalities are the most frequent causes of asphyxia during birth. Birth asphyxia could be the result of inattention by medical professionals and that's why it's crucial to contact an experienced attorney for birth injuries immediately when your child has suffered this kind of trauma.
Birth asphyxia can cause many different symptoms, based on intensity and duration of oxygen deprivation. dallas birth injury attorney may include a lack of energy, poor muscular tone, or breathing difficulties. In some instances babies may have serious neurological issues, such as seizures or learning disabilities.
A Santa Fe birth injury attorney can assist you in determining whether your child's illness is the result of an error in medicine and submit a claim to recover compensation against the negligent healthcare provider. You'll need to collect an extensive amount of documentation that includes medical records, hospital and doctor notes, and other documents related to your child's care. The more information your attorney has, the more likely to prove negligence and get compensation for your child's injuries.
While it is preventable, birth asphyxia is still a leading cause of infant deaths and severe impairments. The reason for this is an absence of oxygen to the brain and can cause various other complications like Erb's palsy, or HIE. Our lawyers can help you recover the money needed to pay for rehabilitation services and other costs.