Articles Posted in Birth Injuries

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hqdefaultThe human brain is a virtual machine. It helps us make decisions, process information and create works of imagination. It also keeps us alive. As it is developing, the brain is incredibly fragile and any disruption in that development can cause lifelong health impairments.

One of these impairments is microcephaly. The brain does not develop at a normal rate or reach a typical size. Children with this condition have heads that are small than those of peers the same gender and age. Not only is the head smaller, but children may be dealt a host of complications including developmental delays and cognitive deficits.

Microcephaly can have genetic components or be caused by medical negligence or error. For example, a lack of oxygen to the developing fetal brain can lead to this condition. The condition is a rare one, affecting only about 25,000 infants each year.

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The arrival of a child is an exciting time, until your child is diagnosed with a birth injury. There are a variety of injuries that can be present at birth but perhaps one of the most traumatic is one that involves the brain. While every infant is unique and no two injuries are the same, you can generally expect your child to recover in certain ways depending on the diagnosis. Here is what you need to know.

Mild Brain Damage

Most infants are able to fully recover from mild brain damage with the right treatments and therapies. It can take years to recover in some instances, and your child may seem to be recovering only to take two steps backward. That said, this is completely normal, and most children do recover.

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5298664559_1c211c245dFinding out that your child has Autism can be stressful. Although the exact causes of Autism are, for the most part, unknown, there is a chance that your child could have developed Autism during your pregnancy due to negligence on the part of your medical provider. Before you seek out the advice of an attorney, it is important to understand just what Autism is.

Symptoms

Autism affects the emotional, intellectual and mental health of a child. It affects a child’s typical brain function. Cognitive functions are typically delayed, and your child may experience deficits in social behaviors. People with Autism may be more sensitive to light, sound and temperature, and can have sensory problems. Symptoms such as these usually become evident between the ages of 3 and 4.

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Human-Male-White-Newborn-Baby-CryingIf your child was diagnosed with cerebral palsy shortly after birth, there is little doubt that you experienced feelings of anxiety and sadness. It is not unusual. You expected a healthy baby and had already been planning for its future. Those dreams have been altered, and you are left wondering how you will provide a level of care for your child that you were not expecting necessary.

Many families who have a child with cerebral palsy choose to file lawsuits for medical malpractice. If you have chosen to do the same, you may be wondering what will happen once your lawsuit is filed. Here is a bit of what you need to know.

Once you have filed your lawsuit, your attorney will start to build your case. All important documents will be gathered as well as evidence that will be needed to win your case. Your attorney will want you to keep track of all of your child’s medical appointments and documentation. You cannot provide your attorney with too much information.

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Premature_infant_with_ventilatorWhen a child suffers a birth injury due to the error or negligence of medical professionals, they are dealt a lifetime of consequences. As a parent, you are placed into a type of caregiver roll that you did not expect. Whether your child was diagnosed with cerebral palsy or another birth injury, you have a right to be concerned.

In instances such as birth injury, parents often file a medical malpractice lawsuit, and rightfully so. Your child will probably outlive you. They will require care past the time that you will be able to physically provide it. They may need help with personal hygiene, mobility, grooming, eating and more. Who will provide for your child when you cannot?

When you file a medical malpractice lawsuit, you may receive a settlement. It is not unusual for a hospital to settle out of court, especially when the victim has a strong case. But what happens to the money?

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maxresdefaultIt goes without saying that the person most affected by birth injury is the victim. A child born with a birth injury must often deal with lifelong consequences stemming from the negligence or mistakes of medical staff. It is important to remember that it is not only the victim who is affected. Every member of the family will deal with the birth injury and its consequences, and every member of the family will experience different feelings. Support is both encouraged and necessary.

Benefits of Support

When you join a support group, you are surrounded by people who are dealing with similar events. Sharing experiences can be cathartic. Attendees of support groups feel less judged within their new circle than they do from the outside world. You and your family are finally with people that understand your thoughts and feelings.

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Baby_warming_trayAs you begin to prepare for the delivery of your child, you are excited, anxious and perhaps a little bit stressed. It is no surprise. You are about to embark on one of the most thrilling journeys of your life: parenthood. The closer you get to your due date, the more prepared you become. You are building a nursery, gathering clothing and necessary supplies, and mentally preparing yourself for life with an infant. The last thing you are thinking about is a birth injury.

Unfortunately, thousands of newborns fall victim to birth injury. If your doctor has not spoken with you about which infants are most at risk, read on. While any newborn can be injured at birth, there are factors that increase your child’s risk greatly.

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Traumaticbraininjury2010According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Brain Injury Association of America (BIA), one of the leading causes of permanent disability or death in newborns and toddlers is traumatic brain injury. Brain damage can be caused by difficulties during the birthing process or from a doctor’s negligence during delivery. It is important to understand the symptoms of infant brain damage in order to help your child to the best of your ability.

Signs of Brain Damage

Signs of brain damage in infants can be detected just after birth. While not always present in infants who have brain damage, some of the more common symptoms that appear shortly after birth are:

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Postpartum_baby2When children are expected and ultimately born, families have reason for celebration. A new life is always brings hope and joy. Unfortunately, birth injuries affect thousands of families each day. From minor injuries that heal on their own to serious injuries with lifelong consequences, birth issues arise everyday in hospitals across the country.

At the law firm of Bottar Law, we have been handling birth injury cases for years. We know how to hold doctors accountable for negligence and find justice for the families that are affected by these tragedies. Our medical malpractice team will fight to ensure that you are provided with the compensation you are due.

Long-Term Effects

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The birth of a baby is an amazing event filled with joy and excitement. Fortunately for most parents, deliveries go as planned and babies are born healthy. In other cases, however, complications arise and a baby suffers permanent injury or damage. One of the most important decisions an expectant mother can make is who will deliver her baby. Choosing an obstetrician is not something that should be taken lightly. here is how to choose the best one for your pregnancy and delivery.

Any obstetrician you are considering should be interviewed. You can compare answers to determine who will be the best for you and your unborn child. Some of the questions to ask are:

  1. How long have you been practicing?
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