Birth Injury Attorney
Birth injuries are a tangled area of medical malpractice. The plaintiff must prove that a doctor violated their duty to provide reasonable medical treatment and caused injury.
These cases often involve expert witnesses who help establish that the doctor's treatment was not in accordance with accepted standards in their specialty. They must also demonstrate that the child suffered compensable damage.
Brachial plexus injury
The brachial plexus is a system of nerves that extends from the spinal cord to the arm and shoulder. Symptoms of a brachial plexus injury could include weakness, pain, or loss of movement in the shoulder arm and hand. Some patients can recover function without treatment. Others may require occupational or physical therapy.
X-rays can be taken of the shoulders, neck and arms to check for bone fractures. MRI is commonly used to assess brachial plexus. The imaging test provides clear images of dense structures such as bones with small amounts of radiation. The technician may inject a dye in the spinal nerves to enhance the appearance on the MRI images. The doctor could also order a CT myelogram scan in order to examine the vertebrae. This test is particularly helpful in the detection of spinal nerve avulsions.
A physical examination is typically the first step in determining whether or not a child has an injury to the brachial plexus. The doctor will assess how the side that is injured is feeling, looks and functions with the non-injured. Electrodiagnostic tests and X-rays can help confirm the diagnosis.
Some children who suffer from brachial plexus injuries heal on their own, however certain children require occupational or physical therapy. Those that need therapy will be evaluated by a team of specialists, comprising a plastic surgeon, orthopaedic surgeon and physiotherapist.
The team will create a treatment plan for the patient that is the most efficient. The treatment plan could comprise stretching, exercises, position and splinting, or surgery. It is crucial that children with this condition see a doctor as it could take time before the nerves recover.
An experienced santa fe birth injury attorney can help parents obtain compensation for their child's medical treatment, therapy and future expenses. They can collaborate with medical professionals in order to gather the necessary documentation and file a suit if needed. They can also negotiate with hospitals and doctors to secure the highest amount of compensation for the family. If your child suffers injuries due to negligence during labor or delivery, contact a knowledgeable lawyer as soon as you can.
Erb's palsy
Erb's Palsy can be caused by a physician's negligence in the delivery room. It is defined as a result of damage to the upper brachial nerves. This causes weakness or paralysis of the arm, and sometimes, also the hand. In many instances, the fingers of the hand affected can droop or be in the "waiter’s tip" position. This means that they are bent toward the body. The injury can affect the arm, shoulder and elbow. The condition may cause numbness and sensations of tingling in the hand or arm, as well as difficulty moving them.
The majority of the time the problem will go away on its own. If the condition doesn't improve after physiotherapy, your doctor may suggest surgery. This could be nerve graft surgery, tendon transfers or surgery to repair muscles. The recovery time could last months or even years because nerves grow and recover slowly.
You may file a lawsuit if the medical professional's negligence resulted in your child's Erb palsy. A qualified lawyer for Erb's Palsy can help you determine whether your case is legitimate and provide you with suggestions on how to proceed. If a case has merit an attorney can work to get the financial compensation your child needs for his injury.
Families of children suffering from Erb's palsy face expensive health care costs and out-of-pocket expenses. A qualified lawyer for Erb's palsy can help you obtain a fair settlement so your child will receive the medical care they require now and in the future.
Contact an experienced santa-fe birth injury lawyer if your child has been diagnosed with Erb’s palsy. A competent legal professional can assist you to know your rights under the law and file a medical negligence lawsuit to receive the financial settlement you deserve. To be successful in the case of a birth injury, an attorney must 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 select an attorney with experience in this kind of case.
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
HIE is a condition that occurs when a baby is deprived of oxygen during the pregnancy, delivery or shortly after birth. This condition can affect the brain but also other organs like the heart, lungs, and liver. HIE can cause lasting, serious damage that can affect the physical, cognitive and behavioral performance. It is a leading cause of infant mortality and permanent disability in the United States.
The severity of a case of HIE depends on how long the brain was deprived of oxygen. Infants who have mild cases of HIE may recover fully and have no impairments, while those who suffer from moderate or severe cases are more likely to suffer life-long health problems. These issues may include epilepsy, visual or hearing impairments, as well as cerebral palsy.
HIE is often caused by issues during birth, including uterine rupture or cord prolapse, placenta previa, or breech presentation. These risks can be reduced with a C-section, but medical experts must perform the procedure as quickly as possible to ensure that oxygen is not cut off to the brain of the baby. Additionally, the use of the drugs that induce labor Pitocin and Cytotec can result in a potentially dangerous complication known as hyperstimulation, which restricts the flow of oxygen into the baby's lungs.
Symptoms of HIE can be hard to spot, especially in the first hours after birth. A baby born with HIE could be floppy and insensitive to sounds or sights or very tense. They might also react more strongly to stimulation. A weak mouth and throat muscles can lead to problems with feeding. Other symptoms include an insufficient Apgar, the presence of meconium within the umbilical fluid, and abnormal fetal pulse tracings.
The most commonly used treatment for HIE is therapeutic hypothermia which is also known as cooling therapy. This involves gradually cooling an infant down to 92 degrees Fahrenheit over a few days, and then gradually rewarming them. It is vital that HIE is detected as early as possible to allow the baby to receive this treatment. The cooling process reduces blood flow to the brain that is oxygen-rich and also reduces the toxins.
Birth asphyxia
Birth asphyxia occurs when the brain of a newborn does not receive sufficient oxygen throughout or shortly after birth. This can be caused by a range of causes or circumstances and can be fatal in severe instances. Birth asphyxia is most often caused by hypoxic-ischemic (HIE) which is a brain injury that can cause permanent disabilities such as cerebral palsy.
HIE can be prevented by timely treatment. This includes therapeutic hypothermia, which reduces the risk of dying or sustaining disability by 62-48 percent. This therapy must be started within six hours after birth. It could include complete body cooling, fluid support via drips, and medications to treat seizures or blood pressure issues.
The most common causes of birth asphyxia include hemorrhage, infections, abnormalities in the placenta or uterine dysfunction, as well as cord complications. Asphyxia at birth can also be caused by medical negligence. If your child has been injured in this way you must seek out a birth injury lawyer immediately.
Birth asphyxia can cause a wide range of symptoms, based on the severity and duration of the oxygen deprivation. These include an energy loss and muscle tone issues or breathing problems. In some cases, babies can have severe neurological issues, like seizures or learning disabilities.
A Santa Fe birth injury attorney can help you determine whether 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 gather a lot of documentation including medical records as well as hospital notes, doctor's notes and other documents related to the treatment of your child. The more information you have the more straightforward it is for your attorney to prove negligence and obtain compensation for the injuries your child sustained.
Despite being avoidable, birth asphyxia is still the leading cause of infant deaths and severe impairments. The condition occurs when there isn't enough oxygen in the brain. It can cause other complications, including Erb's palsy or HIE. birth injury attorney california can assist in recovering the money needed to pay for rehabilitation and other expenses.