Fort Collins Birth Injury Attorney
A Fort Collins birth injury lawyer can help you seek financial compensation if an obstetrician commits a serious mistake in the delivery room. The victims may be able claim financial damages as well as non-economic and punitive damages.
A medical malpractice lawyer will investigate your case thoroughly. They will attempt to locate evidence that supports your case and establishes the liability of the defendant.
Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy
During pregnancy, delivery and labor, the fetus is vulnerable to many injuries. Nurses, doctors, and other health care professionals have a duty of caring to expectant mothers and their infants during this period. If a medical professional does not perform in their duty the consequences could be severe and life-altering. In certain instances, a birth injury may result in permanent disabilities and even death.
Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is an illness of the brain that occurs when the brain doesn't receive enough oxygen or blood flow for an extended period of time. It can happen during pregnancy, birth or postnatally. HIE can cause various conditions, including epilepsy and cerebral palsy.
HIE usually manifests itself within the first few hours of birth. This includes low oxygen levels and breathing, a depressed tone and reflexes or seizures. It is important to have a physician look into and diagnose this condition as soon as is possible.
When a doctor suspects that the child might have suffered from HIE, they will typically perform a number of tests to determine the cause. The tests usually consist of the collection of blood samples and an MRI scan to evaluate the condition.
A doctor can identify HIE by observing a drop in oxygen levels, decreased flow of blood to the brain, and swelling and inflammation. They can also look for signs of anemia or other metabolic issues.
If a doctor suspects HIE they will usually begin therapeutic hypothermia. This involves cooling the baby to lessen the effects of brain damage. The baby will be placed in a cap or blanket, and their vitals closely monitored. The procedure is typically administered within six to eight hours after birth and has been proven to reduce or eliminate the harm caused by HIE.
A fort collins attorney for birth injuries can help you if a doctor breached their duty of medical care towards you or someone you love. You may be entitled to compensation for the harm you have suffered. This can include economic damages, like medical bills and lost wages in addition to non-economic damages, such as suffering and pain. If the medical negligence was severe, a lawsuit can even seek punitive damages.
Brachial Plexus Injury
When the nerves that control arm and hand movements are damaged, a brachial plexus is triggered. It is most commonly seen during birth and is frequent in babies with an excessive birth weight or those who have experienced an extended labor. It may also happen when the baby is in an Breech position (where their shoulders become stuck in the birth canal). The injuries could be more severe if they occur near the end. This is why it's important to deliver the baby safely and quickly.
These nerves are responsible for movement in the elbow, shoulder wrist, fingers and wrist. If they are damaged, it can cause weakness in the affected muscle. Some babies will recover with minimal treatment while others may require surgery. Surgery can help the child develop strength, mobility and sensation in their arm or hand.
In minor instances where nerves have just been stretched, they may be able to heal on their own through physical therapy at home. This can include exercises, stretching and splinting. In some cases, doctors can diagnose this condition by performing a physical exam on the baby's neck, arms, and hands to see how they move.
If a doctor suspects nerves are injured, he or she may order additional tests to confirm the diagnosis. The most serious form of injury is one that causes the nerve to split away from its spinal cord connection. Horner's Syndrome can cause issues with the elbow, shoulder and hands. Other signs of this condition include ptosis (drooping eyelids), and miosis, (decreased pupils).
The treatments for this type of injury are based on the degree and location of the nerves that have been affected. In some instances nerves can be patched by using skin grafts. A free tendon transfer is a different option if there aren't any existing muscles in the shoulder, arm or hand to replace the injured ones. It could take up to 8 months or longer for the new nerve function to demonstrate its strength and mobility.
Intrauterine Fetal Demise
Any parent will be emotionally devastated by the termination of a pregnancy. However, it can be more difficult when a doctor makes a mistake and causes an intrauterine fetal loss. It is often undiagnosed or ignored. This is the most commonly reported cause of stillbirth. It is called intrauterine fetal deaths by the medical community, but some parents prefer to call it "stillbirth". The death of the foetus may be confirmed via ultrasound and auscultation.
The symptoms are similar to those of a miscarriage. There is a slight bleeding or spots. The loss of a foetus unlike a miscarriage occurs after 20 weeks of gestation. The fetus's heartbeat can also be seen and heard when ultrasound is performed. In some cases, the fetus can be ejected on its own or induced with drugs.
A birth trauma can cause fetal death intrauterine if the mother experiences an uterine tear or a blood clot. The fetus can also die due to an infection in the womb or complications with the placenta.
If doctors fail to spot these risk factors or does not appropriately treat them they could be found guilty of malpractice. In such instances parents are entitled to compensation for their losses. This compensation includes both economic damages, which are measurable and non-economic damages, like suffering and pain.
A lawyer can help the family get justice against the doctor who caused the birth injury. The money awarded can be used to pay medical expenses or lost wages, as well as other financial hardships. This can help parents cope with the life-changing injury, and enhance their living conditions over the long run. A catastrophic injury attorney can handle the case, to ensure that the family suffering is given the most favorable outcome. Accident Injury Lawyers can also work together with a team to present an argument for compensation before the court. In the majority of cases, powerful insurance firms will defend these cases. Therefore, it is crucial that the victim and his legal team have a well-constructed legal strategy in place. The earlier you engage a lawyer more effective. They can help prepare the strongest case and ensure that all relevant evidence is gathered in time for the trial.
Vacuum Asphyxia
A doctor may need to utilize forceps or a vacuum extractor during labor that is difficult if the child is not descending or when the mother has a health condition that renders it unsafe to attempt an organic delivery. There are, however, alternative methods of using these devices to help women deliver safely. A Fort Collins birth injury lawyer can review your case to determine if you doctor violated his duty to care while giving birth.
Complications can arise during and after birth, even despite the best efforts of doctors. These complications can cause delays in development that last for an entire lifetime and can cause disabilities for mothers and babies. If not treated promptly, some of these injuries can be fatal.
If you suspect that your child's injuries are the result of a medical negligence during birth, contact Fort Collins birth injury attorney immediately. A knowledgeable lawyer will investigate your claim and consult with experts, interview witnesses, and make a convincing case for you.
In addition to looking into the specifics of your case An attorney for birth injuries will also negotiate with insurance companies and other parties involved in the claim. They will do their best to ensure that your child is compensated for medical bills as well as ongoing therapy and other damages.
Medical professionals must be alert during the birth process to be on the lookout for signs of hypoxia and other complications. If they don't take action promptly enough, this could lead to asphyxiation and result in severe physical or mental disabilities.
Vacuum extraction complications can include brain trauma, nerve damage, and skull fractures. These injuries can result in long-term speech and developmental delays dependent on the part of the brain is affected as well as the extent and location of the bleeding.
Medical malpractice at birth can leave many children with long-lasting injuries. This can be a nightmare for families, especially when it leads to costly rehabilitation and medical expenses. An attorney in Fort Collins who is skilled in birth injuries will assist families affected by injuries in getting the financial help they require to overcome their losses and move on with their lives.