Birth Injury Case Evaluation Children suffering from birth injuries that are preventable are faced with astronomical medical expenses, difficult therapies and permanent disabilities. The process of holding medical providers accountable through medical malpractice lawsuits could reduce the financial burdens and ensure justice. To win the claim, attorneys need to prove that hospitals or doctors did not adhere to accepted standards of care when it came to labor and delivery. This is usually accomplished by thorough examination of medical documents and expert witness testimony. Cerebral palsy Cerebral Palsy is permanent motor impairment caused by injuries to the immature central nervous system that happen in utero, at the time of birth (perinatal) or in early infancy. It can affect a wide range of body movements, and its intensity can be moderate to severe. The symptoms of the condition change with age, but it is not progressive. It is not a testable condition like many other. Nevertheless an extensive and thorough assessment will help medical professionals determine whether or the child's problem is due to cerebral palsy. This includes a complete mobility and neurological assessment. The tests will examine the child's muscle strength and balance and balance, and also their reflexes and ability to move. Musculoskeletal examinations can reveal problems like hip dislocations, scoliosis or contractures. In addition a speech and language evaluation can reveal a child's stage of intellectual development and speech sound production. Cerebral Palsy is diagnosed using neuroimaging which allows doctors to see the brain in a detailed manner. It is a noninvasive method to assess the extent of brain injury. However, it does not permit doctors to predict the impact of this injury on the child's symptoms. In some cases it is possible that a diagnosis of cerebral palsy may not be made until a child is several years old, since symptoms may fluctuate during this period. However the classification of a condition on the basis of severity of the condition, topographic distribution and muscle tone is useful as a method of communicating the severity of impairment in a child and influence the treatment. The most effective treatment options for Cerebral Palsy include physical and occupational therapy. These can help improve a child's mobility and reduce the risk of joint problems such as scoliosis. Speech therapy and adaptive equipment can aid the child in the daily tasks and allow them to interact more effectively with family members and other. There are many financial aid options available depending on the specific circumstances that lead to the child's health. This includes charities and foundations that can ease the burden of paying for a child's treatment and care. Brachial Plexus Injury A brachial-plexus injury is the result of an injury to the five nerves that branch off from the spinal cord in the neck and conduct signals from the spinal cord to the arm, shoulder and hand. The brachial plexus is located on each side of the body. Some infants suffering from brachial plexus injuries will recover without treatment, but most will benefit from physical and occupational therapy. A smaller percentage of infants might require surgical intervention to achieve satisfactory results. A doctor can diagnose a baby with brachial plexus injuries on the basis of the medical history and physical examination. A doctor can order special imaging tests such as an MRI, CT scan or nerve conduction study, but these tests are less reliable for babies. Doctors can test the strength and range of motion of a child's arms by performing gentle range-of-motion exercises. This helps them monitor the improvement over time. The symptoms of brachial-plexus injuries can vary based on the severity of the injury and the specific nerves affected. The symptoms include a weak hand and reduced muscle movement and a decreased sensation in the hand. The symptoms usually affect just one side of the body. However, occasionally both sides can be affected. The most common cause is Neonatal Brachial Palsy (NBPP) however it can be caused by other causes. Brachial plexus injuries are more prevalent in babies who are large, who are born in a breech position, or those who have to be pulled during the birth. This type of injury could also happen to athletes who play contact sports, such as football and blunt trauma. NBPP is a condition that is identified early, typically within six weeks of the birth. The majority of children will heal without treatment, but those who don't improve in a month's time need to be evaluated by a specialized team. These teams are usually made comprising an orthopedist for children along with a physiatrist and physical therapist. Erb's Palsy The brachial (brake-ee-al) plexus is a group of nerves that runs from the spinal cord to the shoulder, and then down the arm into the hand. This group of nerves can be damaged during birth and cause weakness or paralysis to the affected arm. The most common type of this injury is called Erb's palsy. https://www.accidentinjurylawyers.claims/compensation/birth-injury-attorneys-near-me/ is caused by significant stretching or tearing of upper brachial nerves during the labor and birth. A doctor is able to diagnose Erb's paralysis by conducting a physical examination of the infant's arm. The health professional will look for a lack movement in the affected arm, a sluggish wrist and lack of Moro reflex (the infant's involuntary reaction to the loss of head support). The health professional might also request an imaging test, such as an ultrasound or X-ray, or a nerve test, like an electromyogram or a nerve conduction study. In many cases, Erb's paralysis is the result of an inexperienced clinician applying excessive lateral traction to the infant during a forceps birth. This kind of traction can be reduced by using a shorter second stage of labor or placing the mother on her back during part of the delivery. When delivering via C-section, doctors can lower the chance of injury. Other brachial plexus injury is possible in addition to Erb’s palsy. Klumpke Palsy is the most severe form of this condition that is characterized by damage to the lower brachial nerves. This kind of injury could be described as "waiter's tips" because the limb is suspended by the side, rotated to the medially and pronated. It also is flexed, extended and bent at the wrist. If your child is diagnosed with any of these conditions, it is important to speak with a medical malpractice attorney right away. Beth has more than 18 years of experience in labor and birth, and she can help determine if the doctor treating your child has committed negligence that may have caused these preventable injuries. Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) occurs when an issue during birth restricts oxygen and blood flow to the baby. HIE is a serious brain condition that can cause permanent brain damage. The effects of HIE can be either severe or mild, and usually start within a few weeks after birth. HIE is among the many conditions that belong to a larger category of birth-related injuries called neonatal encephalopathy (NE). A baby can develop HIE due to complications during labor and delivery, including excessive bleeding in the mother's blood vessels, a breech birth, an extended labor and delivery or a forceps delivery. A baby's low birth weight could be the cause of HIE. To diagnose HIE doctors will look at the infant's APGAR score and search for signs of neurological impairment. A low APGAR can suggest the need for immediate medical attention. Doctors may also use blood tests to measure the level of acid in the umbilical cord which is a sign that a baby has suffered from an oxygen deficit or a decrease in blood flow to the brain. If an infant is suspected of having HIE the doctors usually attempt to treat it with a procedure known as therapeutic hypothermia. In this procedure the child is placed in a cool blanket and given medicine to aid in sleep. During the cooling process doctors continuously check the heart rate, breathing status and body temperature, as well as brain activity. Once a baby is fully restored to its original temperature then a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan will be performed. MRIs are best for identifying HIE and its injury pattern. An MRI could provide a time frame for the injury, which is useful in determining whether the child's symptoms are related to HIE. Following an HIE diagnosis infants will need to be closely monitored for the rest their lives. They'll visit a neonatologist as well as a neurologist, and they may have physical, speech and occupational therapy to help them cope with their symptoms. The aim is to make these children as healthy as possible and help them achieve their full potential.