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Birth Injury Case Evaluation Children who suffer from birth injuries that are preventable face astronomical medical expenses, challenging therapies, and permanent disabilities. Medical malpractice claims can help to alleviate financial burdens and offer justice. In order to win a case attorneys must show that the doctors or hospitals did not follow accepted standards of care during the labor and delivery. This is usually done by a thorough review of medical records and expert witness testimony. Cerebral palsy Cerebral Palsy is a permanent motor disability caused by injuries to the immature central nervous system that occur in utero, at the time of birth (perinatal) or in early infancy. It affects a variety of body movements. It may be mild, moderate or severe in its severity. birth injury lawsuit process of this condition can change with age, but it isn't progressive. It is not a testable condition, unlike many others. Nevertheless an extensive and thorough examination can aid medical professionals in determining whether or the child's problem is due to cerebral palsy. This includes a full assessment of mobility and neurologic function. The tests will examine the child's balance and muscle tone, as well as their reactions and ability to move. Musculoskeletal examinations can reveal issues such as hip dislocation, scoliosis and contractures. Additionally a speech and language evaluation can indicate a child's level of development in terms of intelligence and speech production. Cerebral Palsy is diagnosed using neuroimaging which allows doctors to look at the brain in great detail. This is a noninvasive way to assess the extent of brain injury. However, it doesn't permit doctors to predict the impact of this injury on the child's symptoms. In some cases the diagnosis of cerebral palsy is not able to be made until a child is a few years old, because symptoms can fluctuate during this period. The classification of a disorder by severity, topographic location, and muscle tone could be useful in determining the degree of impairment and the impact it has on the treatment. Physical and occupational therapy are among the most effective treatments for Cerebral Palsy. These therapies can increase a child’s mobility and reduce the risk of developing joint deformities such as scoliosis. Speech therapy and adaptive equipment can also help the child with the daily tasks and help them to interact more effectively with family members and other. There are several options for financial aid based on the circumstances surrounding a child's condition. There are also charitable organizations and foundations that can alleviate the burden of paying for medical treatment and care. Brachial Plexus Injury A brachial-plexus ailment occurs when the five nerves which connect to the neck to the spine are damaged. These nerves transmit signals from the spine to the shoulder, hand and arm. There is a brachial plexus on each side of the body. Some infants can recover without treatment, but the majority will benefit from physical therapy and occupational therapy. A smaller percentage of infants may require surgical intervention to get the best results. A baby who has an injury to the brachial area can be diagnosed by their primary physician based on their medical history and physical examination. A doctor can order special imaging tests like an MRI, CT scan or nerve conduction tests, however these tests are not as accurate for infants. Doctors can also assess the strength and mobility of the muscles of a child's arms by performing gentle range of motion exercises which aids in tracking recovery over time. The symptoms of a brachial the plexus injury can vary based on the extent of the injury and the nerves are affected. The symptoms can include weakness in the arm, poor movement of the muscles, and a decrease in sensation (feeling) in the hand. The symptoms usually affect one side of the body, however sometimes both sides are affected equally. The most frequent cause is Neonatal Brachial Palsy (NBPP), but it can also be caused by other causes. Babies who are overweight or have a breech position or must be forcibly pulled during birth could be at higher risk of a brachial plexus Injury. This type of injury can also happen to athletes who engage in contact sports, such as football and blunt trauma. NBPP is a condition that can be diagnosed early on, usually within six weeks after birth. Most children recover without intervention, however those who are not improving by a month should be evaluated by a team of professionals who can manage the disorder. These teams are usually made up of a pediatric orthopedist as well as a physiatrist, and a physical therapy. Erb's Palsy The brachial plexus (pronounced brake-ee-al), is a grouping of nerves that extend from the spinal cord to the shoulder, then down the arm into the hand. This group of nerves can be damaged during birth and cause weakness or paralysis of the affected arm. Erb's Palsy is the most common kind. It is caused by a significant stretching or tearing of upper brachial nerves during labor and delivery. A doctor can diagnose Erb palsy by conducting a physical exam of the baby's hand. The health care provider looks for a lack of movement in the affected hand, a limping wrist, and a deficiency in Moro reflexes (the infant's involuntary response to a loss of head support). The health care professional could also recommend an imaging or nerve test like an X ray or an electromyogram, or ultrasound or study of nerve conduction. In many cases, Erb's palsy is a result of an inexperienced clinician applying too much lateral traction to the infant during a forceps birth. This type of traction could be reduced by using an earlier second stage of labor or by placing the mother on her back during part of the delivery. A doctor can help in reducing the chance of this kind of injury by delivering by C-section. Other brachial plexus injury is possible in addition to Erb’s palsy. Klumpke palsy is a more serious form of this condition, which causes injuries to the nerves of the lower brachial plexus. This type of injury is commonly called a “waiter's tip” position because the limb hangs to the side and is rotated medially, bent, pronated and extended at the wrist. If your child is diagnosed with any of these conditions it is crucial to talk with a medical malpractice attorney immediately. Beth has more than 18 years of specialized experience in labor and delivery and can assist you in determining whether your child's doctor has committed a mistake that could have caused these avoidable injuries. Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) occurs when an issue during birth reduces blood flow and oxygen to the baby. HIE is a serious brain condition that can cause permanent brain damage. The effects of HIE can be severe or mild and typically begin within a few weeks of birth. HIE is a condition that belongs to the larger category of birth-related injuries referred to as neonatal encephalopathy. An infant can develop HIE due to complications during labor and delivery, such as excessive bleeding in the mother's blood vessels as well as a breech birth, prolonged labor and delivery, or a forceps delivery. It's possible that a newborn can have an underlying problem such as low birth weight that could cause HIE. To diagnose HIE in infants, doctors examine the infant's APGAR scores as well as any signs of neurological impairment. A low APGAR can indicate the need for immediate medical treatment. Doctors can also use tests on blood to determine the amount of acid that is accumulating in the umbilical cord which is a sign that a baby is suffering from an oxygen deficiency or a decrease in blood flow to the brain. If an infant is suspected of having HIE, doctors will often attempt to treat it with the treatment known as therapeutic hypothermia. During this treatment the infant is placed in a cool blanket and given medicine to aid in sleep. During cooling, doctors will check the infant's heart rate as well as breathing, body temperature and brain activity. When a baby is completely re-warmed then a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan will be conducted. MRIs are the most effective way to detect HIE and its particular injury pattern. The results of an MRI may reveal the time frame of injury which is useful in determining whether the child's symptoms may be due to HIE. If you are diagnosed with HIE infants should be monitored closely for the rest of their lives. They'll see a neonatologist and neurologist, and could receive physical, speech and occupational therapy to help them deal with their symptoms. The goal is to get the children as healthy as they can and help them achieve their full potential.