Birth Injury Attorney
Medical malpractice claims involving birth injuries are a complex. The plaintiff must prove that a doctor violated their duty to provide reasonable medical care and resulted in injury.
These cases often involve expert witnesses to help prove that the doctor's treatment fell below accepted standards within their field of expertise. They must also prove that the child suffered compensable damages.
Injury to the brachial plexus
The brachialplexus is a nerve network that extends from the spinal cord to the arm and shoulder. The signs of a brachial-plexus injury could include weakness, pain, or loss of movement in the shoulder, arm and hand. Certain patients suffering from this condition will be able to return to their normal activities without treatment, while others may require physical or occupational therapy to improve their outcomes.
X-rays can be taken from the shoulders, neck and arms to determine fractures in the bone. MRI is also used to assess the brachial plexus. This imaging test provides clear pictures of dense structures such as bones with small amounts of radiation. The doctor might inject a dye into the spinal nerves in order to improve the appearance on the MRI images. The doctor can also request an CT myelogram scan to examine the vertebrae. This test is particularly helpful in detecting spinal nerve avulsion injuries.
A physical exam is typically the first step in determining whether or not a child has an injury to the brachial plexus. The provider will compare how the side that is injured is feeling, looks and functions with the side that is not injured. X-rays and electrodiagnostic tests can aid in confirming the diagnosis.
Some children with brachial plexus injuries recover spontaneously, but some require physical or occupational therapy. The team of specialists will determine those who require therapy including a physiotherapist, an orthopaedic and plastic surgeon.
The team will develop the treatment plan that will work best for the patient. The treatment plan could include stretching, exercises, positioning and splinting, or surgery. It is important that children suffering from this condition seek out a specialist because it may take some time before the nerves are fully recovered.
An experienced santa fe birth injury attorney can help parents receive compensation for their child's medical expenses therapy, future costs and other expenses. They can collaborate with medical professionals to collect the required documents and file a lawsuit if appropriate. They will also work with doctors and hospitals to get the maximum amount of compensation that is possible for the family. If your child suffers injuries due to negligence during labor or delivery, seek out a skilled lawyer as soon as possible.
Erb's Palsy
Erb's Palsy can be caused by negligence of a doctor in the delivery room. It is described as damage to the upper brachial nerves. This can cause weakness or paralysis of the arm and sometimes, also the hand. In many cases, fingers of the hand affected are sagging or in the "waiter’s tip" position. This means that they are bent toward the body. The injury affects the arm, shoulder 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.
Most of the time the problem will go away on its own. If the condition doesn't improve after physiotherapy, then your doctor might recommend surgery. This could include tendon transfers, nerve grafts, or muscle repair surgery. The time to recover can be months or years because nerves grow and heal slowly.
You can make a claim if the medical team's negligence caused your child's Erb palsy. Accident Injury Lawyers qualified attorney for Erb's palsy can assist you in determining if your case has merit and help you decide on the next steps to take. If the case is meritorious an attorney can work to obtain the financial compensation your child needs for his injury.
Families with children suffering from Erb's palsy face significant health costs. An experienced Erb's palsy lawyer can assist you in negotiating an equitable settlement, so that your children can receive the care and support they need today and in the near future.
Contact a seasoned Santa-fe birth injury lawyer if your child has been diagnosed with Erb's Palsy. A competent legal professional can help you know your legal rights and file a medical negligence lawsuit to obtain the financial compensation you're entitled to. A lawyer must demonstrate negligence on the part of the care provider to prevail in an injury claim. This requires a thorough investigation which is why you should choose an attorney who has experience in this kind of case.
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
HIE happens when a newborn is deficient in oxygen during pregnancy, labor/delivery or immediately after birth. The condition can affect not only the brain, but also other organs like the lungs, heart, and liver. HIE can cause irreparable, permanent damage that affects the long-term mental, physical and behavioral functioning. It is one of the most frequent causes of infant death and permanent disability in the United States.
The severity of HIE is determined by the length of time that the brain was deprived of oxygen. Infants with mild cases of HIE can recover completely and have no impairments however those suffering from severe or moderate cases are more likely to suffer long-term health issues. These could include epilepsy as well as hearing or vision impairments, as well as cerebral palsy.
HIE is usually caused by problems during a birth, including uterine rupture or cord prolapse, placenta previa or the breech presentation. The risk can be mitigated by a C section, however, doctors must do it as fast as they can so as to not cut off the oxygen to the baby's brain. The use of labor induction drugs Pitocin or Cytotec may also cause hyperstimulation, a potentially dangerous condition. This can hinder the flow of oxygen to the baby's lungs.
Symptoms of HIE are difficult to identify, particularly in the first hours after birth. A baby born with HIE might be floppy, unresponsive to sounds or sights or extremely tense. They might be more sensitive to stimulation. A weak mouth and throat muscles can cause problems with feeding. Other symptoms can be the low Apgar score, presence of meconium in the umbilical cord's fluid and abnormal fetal heart rate tracer.
The most commonly used treatment for HIE is therapeutic hypothermia also known as cooling therapy. It involves slowly cooling a newborn to around 92°F over a number of days, and then slowly warming them. It is crucial that HIE be diagnosed as soon as possible, so that the baby can receive the treatment. The cooling process reduces oxygen-rich brain blood and decreases the toxins.
Asphyxia during birth
Birth asphyxia occurs when a newborn doesn't receive enough oxygen to their brain during or close to birth. It can happen in various ways and could be fatal. Asphyxia at birth is typically associated with hypoxic-ischemic (HIE), a brain injury that can lead to permanent disabilities, such as cerebral palsy.
HIE is easily prevented with timely treatment. This includes therapeutic hypothermia which reduces the chance of dying or serious disability from 62-48%. This therapy must begin within six hours of birth. It could include all-body cooling, fluid support via drips and medications to treat blood pressure or seizures.
Hemorrhage, infection, and abnormalities in the placenta are the most frequent causes of asphyxia during birth. Birth asphyxia could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, which is why it's crucial to contact an experienced birth injury lawyer right away in the event that your child has been affected by this type of trauma.
Birth asphyxia may cause a variety of symptoms depending on the extent of the deprivation of oxygen and the duration. These can include a lack of energy, poor muscle tone or breathing difficulties. In some instances, babies can have severe neurological issues, like seizure disorders or learning disabilities.
A Santa Fe birth injury attorney can help you determine if your child's condition is due to an error in medical care and make a claim for compensation against the negligent healthcare provider. You'll need to gather an extensive amount of documentation, including medical records, hospital and doctor notes, and any other documents related to your child's care. The more information you have, the easier it is for your lawyer to prove malpractice and secure compensation for the injuries your child sustained.
Birth asphyxia, despite being preventable is still the leading cause of infant mortality and serious impairments. This condition is caused by the lack of oxygen to the brain, and can cause various other complications such as Erb's Palsy or HIE. Our attorneys can help you obtain the compensation you require to cover rehabilitative services and other costs.