Birth Injury Attorney
Birth injuries are a complex area of medical malpractice. The plaintiff must prove that the doctor did not provide reasonable medical treatment and thereby caused injury.
Expert witnesses are often called in to prove that a doctor's treatment was not in accordance with accepted standards for their speciality. They also need to prove that the child suffered compensable damages.
Brachial plexus injury
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that extend from the spinal cord to the arm and shoulder. A brachial injury can cause pain or weakness, or even loss of motion in the arm, hand, and shoulder. Some patients can recover function without treatment. Others will require physical or occupational therapy.
X-rays can be taken of the shoulders, neck and arms to determine bone fractures. MRI is often used to determine the brachial-plexus. This imaging test provides clear pictures of structures that are dense like bones, with small safe amounts of radiation. The technician may inject a dye around the spinal nerves in order to improve the appearance of MRI images. The doctor can also request a CT myelogram scan to examine the vertebrae. This test is particularly helpful in the detection of spinal nerve avulsions.
A physical examination is the first step in determining whether or not your child has an injury to the brachial area. The doctor will assess how the side that is injured feels, looks and functions with the side that is not injured. Electrodiagnostic testing or X-rays may confirm the diagnosis.
Certain children who have injuries to their brachial plexus recover naturally. Others might require physical or occupational therapy. Patients who require therapy will be evaluated by an expert team, including a plastic surgeon orthopaedic surgeon and physiotherapist.
The team will design an treatment plan for the patient that is most efficient. The treatment plan might involve stretching, exercises, positioning, splinting, or surgery. It is crucial that children suffering from this condition visit a specialist, because it will take some time for nerves to recover.
An experienced santa-fe birth injury lawyer can assist parents get compensation for their child’s therapy, medical care and other future expenses. They can work with medical professionals to gather the necessary documentation and file a lawsuit if appropriate. They can also negotiate with hospitals and doctors to obtain the maximum amount of compensation for the family. If your child suffers an injury due to negligence during birth or labor, you should seek out a skilled lawyer as soon as possible.
Erb's palsy
Erb's Palsy is often caused by a physician's negligence in the delivery room. It is characterized as a deterioration of the upper brachial nerves. This can cause weakness or paralysis in the arm and, sometimes, the hand. In many instances, the fingers of the hand affected will droop down or be in the "waiter’s tip" position. AccidentInjuryLawyers means that they are bent toward the body. The injury affects the arm, shoulder and elbow. Symptoms of the condition include difficulty moving the arm and/or hand as well as tingling or numbness in the hand, and the inability to bend the elbow or lift the arm away from the body.
The majority times the problem will go away on its own. If it doesn't improve with exercise, physiotherapy, or other treatments, the doctor may recommend surgery. This could involve nerve graft surgery, tendon transfers, or surgery to repair muscles. Nerves grow and recover very slowly, so the time to recover can be months or even years.
You can file a lawsuit if the medical team's negligence caused your child's Erb palsy. A qualified lawyer for Erb's Palsy can help you determine whether your case is valid and provide you with guidance on the next steps. If a case has merit, an attorney can work to obtain the financial compensation you need for your child's injury.
Families of children suffering from Erb's palsy are faced with high medical costs and out-of-pocket expenses. A qualified Erb's palsy lawyer can help you obtain an equitable settlement so your child will receive the care they need now and in the future.
If your child has been diagnosed with Erb's Palsy, contact an experienced santa fe birth injury lawyer. A skilled legal professional can assist you to learn about your legal rights and file a medical negligence lawsuit to obtain the financial settlement you deserve. A lawyer must demonstrate the negligence of the healthcare provider to prevail in a birth injury case. This requires a thorough investigation of the facts. That is why it's important to choose an attorney who is familiar with this type of case.
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
HIE occurs when a baby experiences oxygen deprivation during pregnancy, labor/delivery or shortly after birth. The condition affects the brain and can cause problems with other organs such as the lungs, the heart and liver. HIE can cause permanent, irreparable damage that impacts the long-term cognitive, physical and behavioral functioning. It is the leading cause of infant death and permanent disability in the United States.
The severity of HIE is determined by the duration of time the brain was deprived of oxygen. Infants with mild HIE cases may fully recover and develop no disabilities. However, those with severe or moderate HIE cases are more likely to have lifelong health problems. These problems may include epilepsy, visual or hearing impairments, and cerebral palsy.
HIE can be caused by birth complications such as uterine ruptures, cord prolapses, placentas previas, or breech presentations. The risk of HIE can be decreased through a C-section, 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 can hinder the flow of air into the lungs of the baby.
HIE symptoms can be difficult to detect at first, particularly during the first few days following birth. A baby with HIE might be floppy, insensitive to sounds or sights, or they could become very anxious. They may also react more strongly to stimulation. A weak throat and mouth muscles can lead to problems with feeding. Other symptoms can be the low Apgar score, the presence of meconium in the umbilical cord fluid, and abnormal fetal heart rate tracings.
The most common treatment for HIE is therapeutic hypothermia also known as cooling therapy. It involves cooling the infant slowly to the temperature of 92 degrees Fahrenheit for a few days and then slowly warming them up. It is important that HIE be diagnosed as soon as possible, so that the baby can receive this treatment. The cooling process decreases the amount of oxygen-rich brain blood and reduces toxins.
Birth asphyxia
Birth asphyxia occurs when a baby isn't getting enough oxygen to their brain at or around the time of birth. This can be caused in various ways and could be fatal. Asphyxia at birth is typically associated with hypoxic-ischemic (HIE) which is a brain injury that can lead to permanent disabilities, such as cerebral palsy.
HIE can be prevented with timely treatment. This includes therapeutic hypothermia which reduces the risk of death or serious disability by 62-48%. This therapy must be started within 6 hours of the birth. It could include complete body cooling, fluid support via drips, and medications to treat blood pressure and seizures issues.
Hemorrhage, infection, and placental abnormalities are the most typical causes of asphyxia in the birth. Birth asphyxia could also be the result of inattention by medical professionals, which is why it's crucial to contact an experienced attorney for birth injuries immediately in the event that your child has been affected by this type of trauma.
Birth asphyxia can trigger a variety of symptoms depending on the severity of oxygen deprivation and the length of time. These symptoms can include lack of energy, poor muscle tone, or breathing issues. In some instances, babies may have severe neurological issues, such as seizures disorders and learning disabilities. developmental delays.
A Santa Fe birth injury lawyer will help you determine if your child's illness resulted from a medical error and pursue a claim against the negligent healthcare provider. You'll need an extensive amount of documentation that includes medical documents, hospital and doctor notes, and any other documents relevant to your child's medical care. The more information your attorney has, the more likely it will prove malpractice and get compensation for your child's injuries.
Birth asphyxia, despite being prevented, is still the main cause of infant deaths and serious impairments. This condition is caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain and can lead to a variety of other complications such as Erb's palsy, or HIE. Our lawyers can help you obtain the compensation you require to cover rehabilitation services as well as other expenses.