Birth Injury Attorney
Birth injuries are a complex area of medical malpractice. The plaintiff must show that the doctor did not provide reasonable medical treatment and thereby caused injury.
Expert witnesses are often sought to prove that a doctor's treatment did not meet the accepted standards of their field. They must be able to establish that the child was harmed in some way.
Injury to the brachial plexus
The brachial plexus is a system of nerves that connect the spinal cord to the shoulder and arm. The symptoms of a brachial injury may include weakness, pain or loss of movement in the shoulder hand, and arm. Certain patients are able to recover their function without treatment. Others may require physical or occupational therapy.
To check for fractures, X-rays of neck and shoulders can be taken. MRI is often used to determine the brachial-plexus. The imaging test produces clear images of structures that are dense like bones, with small safe amounts of radiation. The provider might inject a color into the spinal cord in order to enhance the MRI images. The doctor may also order a computed tomography (CT) myelogram scan to check the vertebrae. This test is particularly useful in finding 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 doctor will evaluate how the affected side is feeling, looks and functions with the uninjured. Electrodiagnostic tests and X-rays can help confirm the diagnosis.
Certain children suffering from brachial-plexus injuries heal themselves, but some require occupational or physical therapy. Those that need therapy will be assessed by an expert team, including a plastic surgeon, orthopaedic surgeon, physiotherapist and physiotherapist.
The team will design an appropriate treatment plan that is best for the patient. The treatment plan might involve stretching, exercises, and placing, splinting or surgery. It's important that children with this condition consult a doctor as it may take some time for nerves to recover.
An experienced santa fe birth injury attorney can help parents get compensation for their child's medical expenses therapy, future costs and other expenses. They can collaborate with medical professionals to gather the required documentation and file a lawsuit when appropriate. They will also negotiate with doctors and hospitals to obtain the maximum amount of compensation for the family. If your child suffers an injury as a result of negligence during birth or labor, you should seek out a skilled lawyer as soon as you can.
Erb's Palsy
Erb's Palsy can be caused by negligence of a doctor in the delivery room. It is described as a result of damage to 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 will slump downwards or be in what is known as the "waiter's tip" position, which means that they are bent towards the body. The injury may affect 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, and an inability to bend the elbow or lift the arm away from the body.
Most times the condition will heal on its own. However, if it doesn't improve following physiotherapy, the doctor may suggest surgery. This could be nerve graft surgery, tendon transfers, or surgery to repair muscles. Nerves grow and heal slowly, which means that the healing process can take months or even years.
You may file a lawsuit if the medical team's negligence caused your child's Erb palsy. An experienced attorney for Erb's Palsy will help you determine whether your case is meritorious and help you decide on the next steps to take. An attorney can help you get financial compensation if your case is legitimate.
Families with children who have Erb's Palsy are faced with high health care costs. A qualified Erb's palsy lawyer can help you win an equitable settlement to ensure that your child receives the treatment they require today and in the future.
If your child has been diagnosed with Erb's Palsy and you are looking for a seasoned Santa birth injury lawyer. A legal professional with experience will help you understand and enforce your rights as a legal person, as well as make a claim for medical negligence to receive the financial compensation you deserve. In order to be successful in the case of a birth injury, a lawyer needs to prove that your child's condition was the result of the care provider's negligence. This requires a thorough investigation which is why you should choose an attorney with experience in this kind of case.
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
HIE occurs when a baby is deficient in oxygen during pregnancy, labor/delivery or immediately after birth. The condition can affect the brain, as well as other organs, such as the lungs, heart and liver. HIE can cause irreparable, permanent damage that affects the long-term mental and physical functioning as well as behavioral. It is among the most frequent causes of infant death and permanent disability in the United States.
birth injury attorney las cruces nm of HIE is determined by the duration of time that the brain was deprived of oxygen. Infants with mild HIE cases may recover completely and not develop any disabilities. However, those who have severe or moderate HIE cases are more likely to have lifelong health problems. These problems can include epilepsy, hearing or visual impairments, and cerebral palsy.
HIE is often caused by issues during birth, including uterine rupture cord prolapse, placenta previa, or breech presentation. These risks can be minimized by a C-section procedure, however medical professionals must carry out the procedure in the shortest time possible to prevent cutting off oxygen flow to the baby's brain. The use of labor induction drugs Pitocin or Cytotec can also trigger hyperstimulation, which is a serious complication. This restricts the flow of air into the baby's lungs.
The symptoms of HIE can be difficult to spot, especially during the first few hours following birth. A baby with HIE can be floppy and unresponsive to sounds or sights, or they could become tense and react more strongly to stimulation than a normal newborn. A weak throat and mouth muscles can cause problems with feeding. Other signs include an abnormally low Apgar score, the presence of meconium in the umbilical cord's fluid and abnormal fetal heart rate tracer.
The most popular treatment for HIE is therapeutic hypothermia, which is also known as cooling therapy. It involves cooling the infant slowly to temperatures of 92 degrees Fahrenheit over several days before slowly warming them back up. It is vital that HIE is identified as soon as possible so that the baby can be allowed to receive this treatment. The cooling process decreases blood flow to the brain that is oxygen-rich and also reduces the amount of toxins.
Birth asphyxia
Birth asphyxia occurs when the brain of a newborn is not receiving enough oxygen during or shortly after the birth. This can be caused by many ways and can even be fatal. Birth asphyxia is usually associated with hypoxic-ischemic (HIE), a brain injury that can cause permanent disabilities, such as cerebral palsy.
HIE can be prevented through prompt treatment. This includes therapeutic hypothermia which decreases the chance of dying or sustaining disability by 62-48%. This therapy must begin within six hours following the birth. It can include whole-body cooling, fluid support through drips and medications to treat blood pressure or seizures.
The most frequent causes of birth asphyxia include hemorrhage, infections, abnormalities of the placenta, uterine dysfunction, and cord problems. Birth asphyxia may also be caused by medical negligence. If your child is injured in this way it is important to consult an attorney for birth injuries immediately.
Birth asphyxia can cause many symptoms, based on the severity of oxygen deprivation and its duration. The symptoms may include a fatigue, low muscular tone, or breathing difficulties. In certain cases babies can have serious neurological problems, including seizure disorders as well as learning disabilities or developmental delays.
A Santa Fe birth injury attorney can assist you in determining if your child's condition is due to an error in medical care and file a claim for compensation against the negligent healthcare provider. You'll have to gather lots of evidence, including medical records, hospital notes or doctor's notes, as well as other documents pertaining to the care of your child. The more information you have, the easier it is for your attorney to prove that there was a mistake and get compensation for your child's injuries.
Birth asphyxia, despite being preventable is still the leading cause of infant mortality and severe impairments. The reason for this is a lack of oxygen to the brain, and can lead to a variety of other complications such as Erb's palsy or HIE. Our attorneys can help recover the compensation needed to pay for rehabilitation and other expenses.