Birth Injury Support
For families of children with birth injuries, support can be found in a variety of ways. Wheelchairs and other equipment that can be adapted to assist children in reaching developmental milestones.
Medical treatments can also help to manage the symptoms of various birth injuries. But doctors aren't fortune tellers, and no two babies will respond similarly to treatment.
Many birth injuries can be prevented. Families can find support by hiring a lawyer who specializes in claims for birth injuries.
Diagnosis
A child can suffer from lifelong issues when a birth injury is undiagnosed or not treated properly. These issues can result in severe intellectual and physical disabilities. These conditions can be life-threatening in extreme cases.
A variety of tests can be used to determine the severity of birth injuries. newborn injury lawyer includes umbilical blood gas analysis, CT scans, brain MRIs, and other neuroimaging tests. Doctors can also conduct cognitive and reflex tests to determine the presence of specific signs.
Parents can aid by observing their children and observing any deviations or missed developmental milestones. In addition they should keep accurate records of all medical treatments, diagnoses, and consultations. This information may be important in any legal action in connection with birth injuries caused by medical negligence.
Birth injuries are not always evident. In some instances, the condition is not evident until a baby gets older and starts to develop cognitive or motor skills. Birth injuries can cause unusual movements, facial and neck anomalies, seizures, and difficulty eating and sleeping, among other symptoms.
The prognosis of a baby is determined by the extent of the damage as well as the region was affected. Minor injuries like Erb's palsy or newborn jaundice may heal over time. Severe injuries such as brain injury or spinal cord injury can result in permanent impairment for a child and require long-term care.
Based on the nature and degree of the birth injury, different resources are available to help the child. For example adaptive equipment such as wheelchairs or speech aids can help a child with mobility issues to move and communicate. Physical therapy and nutrition plans can aid a child who has eating, swallowing and motor skill issues.
Many birth injuries are preventable. However, some cannot be avoided. If your child's illness was the result of a medical mistake during the birth process, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Contact an attorney for birth injuries to find out more about your legal rights. You can discuss your case with a lawyer at no cost. Call today to set up your free consultation.
Treatment
The injuries that occur during childbirth can vary in severity and could cause symptoms that last for a time. The sooner a birth-related injury is diagnosed and treated, the better.
To identify a birth injury, doctors will run several tests to determine the cause of the birth injury. The Apgar test is one of the most important tests. It measures skin tone, heartbeat as well as breathing. If the Apgar score of the baby is high, it is healthy.
A blood gas analysis is an additional diagnostic tool that measures oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in umbilical cord blood. This test can reveal HIE which is a form of brain damage that is caused by the lack of oxygen during labor and delivery. Doctors will also run MRI and CT scans to look for brain injuries. This includes skull fractures and hemorrhages.
Surgery is required for severe injuries. Surgery is required for severe. If the nerves that control the muscles are damaged, it may cause cerebral palsy or Erb's Palsy (paralysis in the brachial nerves of the arm) or Klumpke's Palsy (paralysis in one of the upper shoulders joints). These conditions can be fatal and generally permanent. Sometimes, the phrenic nerve that controls diaphragm the wall that separates organs in the abdomen and chest is damaged during birth. This can cause paralysis on the chest's one side and make it difficult to breathe. In these instances the surgeons will usually fix the problem using an operation known as burr hole surgery.
Physical therapy can aid children with mobility problems. Children who have difficulty in their daily activities like eating, speaking, or drinking could benefit from occupational or speech therapy. Some birth injuries can be treated using medications. For example, painkillers can aid children suffering from Erb's and cerebral palsy, while muscle relaxants and anti-spastic medications can aid children with tight muscles. Some children may have to take anti-seizure medications particularly if their brain damage has resulted in seizures.
The expenses of raising a child who has disabilities are often expensive. Families should be aware of various sources of financial aid that include private and public insurance, educational and daycare programs.
Prognosis
The prognosis for birth injuries depends on the nature and severity of the injury. In some cases the damage is permanent and requires ongoing care. The symptoms can also get worse or improve as time passes. Injuries can result from many causes during pregnancy and childbirth as well as abnormalities in the development of the fetus, placental problems excessive amniotic fluid, and infections in the mother.
Erb's palsy is the most frequent birth injury. It affects the nerves that control the movement in the arms and hand. Most children who suffer from this condition recover completely, however some may require surgery, occupational therapy or physical therapy. Other injuries, such as clavicular fractures or hypoxic-ischemic brain disease, may have a lasting impact on a child's growth.
PVL is another type of birth injury. It occurs when excessive pulling or twisting causes pressure on the white matter of the brain during the birth process, which can be difficult. This can result in brain damage and is an extremely serious birth injury.
Other conditions that may negatively impact the development of a newborn include infant torticollis, which causes the head and neck to be bent or tilted to one side; meconium aspiration syndrome, that occurs when a newborn swallows meconium during utero, rather than passing it through the birth canal; and skull fractures.
While birth injuries can be caused by unexpected complications that arise during childbirth, medical negligence is a frequent cause of serious and lasting birth traumas. If you suspect that your child's birth injury was due to negligence, it's important to consult a reputable lawyer for advice.
The Help Center is a comprehensive online resource that covers everything about childbirth and pregnancy. It also provides information on birth injuries, childhood disabilities and the effects that result from them. We aim to provide timely and accurate information and assistance for those in need. Contact us today to get started. Take a look at the MASIC collection of resources to learn more. It is a treasure trove of information on how to handle a child who has cerebral palsy or other birth injuries. Click here to access MASIC's guide to parents and carers.
Support
When medical errors occur during childbirth the joy of embracing a newborn baby can be ruined. A traumatized birth can lead to long-term disabilities in children. It can cause minor injuries like cuts and bruises or even severe conditions like brain damage.
Medical professionals are trained to recognize the risks of complications during labor and delivery and take swift action when necessary to avoid serious injury. However, some healthcare professionals do not adhere to this standard of care, causing preventable birth injuries during childbirth. These medical malpractice mistakes can cause devastating harm to the life of a child and their family.
Parents whose child has an injury that can alter their life it is crucial to seek the assistance they need to deal with the physical and emotional impact. This may include counseling or other forms of treatment. Families also need to find financial assistance for their disabled child's continuing needs. Insurance companies may refuse disability claims or not provide adequate coverage. The civil legal system could provide a way to get the financial assistance families require.
A successful claim for birth injuries can reimburse a child's parents or guardians for all or most of their expenses related to disability. This could include medical treatment therapies, therapies, and other support services and mobility equipment like wheelchairs. It could also be used to pay for a caregiver or daycare for a disabled child, or assistive technology to help them communicate and take part in everyday activities.
Although no amount will be able to cover for injuries sustained by a child however, financial assistance can provide the help and support they require to live a happy life. Families considering making a claim for birth injuries should speak with a seasoned birth trauma attorney to learn more about their legal options.
A lawyer will determine if the hospital or birthing center where your child was injured is accountable for their negligence which caused your child's medical condition. The attorneys at Paul & Perkins are ready to review your case, and help you better understand the legal options available to you in seeking justice. Contact us today to get started.