Our Michigan birth injury lawyers handle cases in which a baby suffered injuries due to hyrdrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a medical condition whose primary characteristic is the excessive accumulation of fluid in brain. It comes from the Greek words ‘hydro’ meaning water and ‘cephalus’ meaning head. The water is cerebrospinal fluid, a fluid that surrounds the spinal cord and brain. Excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) causes an abnormal widening of spaces inside the brain called ventricles. This widening of the ventricles puts harmful pressure on the brain tissues.

Signs and Symptoms of Hydrocephalus

The symptoms of hydrocephalus vary with disease progression, age and human differences in tolerance to this condition. For instance, a baby’s ability to tolerate the pressure on the brain differs from that of an adult. The skull of an infant can manage to expand and bear the CSF buildup.

In infants, the most common signs of this condition include:

• Unusually large size of head
• Rapid increase in circumference of head
• Vomiting
• Irritability
• Sleepiness
• Seizures
• Downward deviation of eyes

Treatment of Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus is most commonly treated by inserting a shunt system. The shunt system diverts the CSF flow from the brain to another part of the body where it is absorbed as normal circulatory process. The system consists of a shunt, catheter and valve. One end of the catheter is placed inside the brain within a ventricle, and the other end is usually placed in the abdominal cavity. It may also be placed in another part of the body such as heart chamber or areas surrounding the lungs.

Contact a Michigan Hydrocephalus Malpractice Lawyer

A newborn who has hydrocephalus that is not timely treated and diagnosed by a hospital or physician can suffer permanent and irreversible injuries.  In such circumstances, the failure to properly treat the newborn can give rise to a medical malpractice lawsuit.  Hydrocephalus can affect the social, academic and vocational upbringing of the infant. These often require services that amount to a significant expense over a child’s lifetime and are sought as damages in a medical malpractice lawsuit.

It is essential to contact our office as soon as possible so that we can obtain your child’s complete medical chart to determine whether there was negligence involved in the treatment.  There are strict time delays for filing medical malpractice lawsuits in Michigan so it is essential to contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible to see if your child has valid case.

Our Michigan birth injury lawyers handle cases involving shoulder dystocia injuries.  This can be a very serious condition and can affect a child throughout his or her lifetime.  There are occasions in which this injury could have been prevented and this can give rise to a child birth injury medical malpractice lawsuit.

Shoulder dystocia is a case of dystocia wherein the anterior shoulder of the newborn can’t pass the pubic symphysis after the delivery of the head, or needs considerable manipulation to pass the pubic symphysis. Shoulder dystocia is diagnosed only when the shoulders of the infant fail to deliver after the fetal head. In this condition, the chin presses against the perineum walls.

Signs of Shoulder Dystocia

Turtle sign is a commonly described feature, characterized by the appearance and retraction of fetal head that resembles a turtle withdrawing into the shell. The red puffy face indicating facial flushing is also a sign of this condition. This happens when the shoulder of the baby is stopped by maternal pelvis.

Procedures of Shoulder Dystocia

Several obstetrical measures are adopted in order to facilitate the delivery when this condition occurs:

• Suprapubic pressure
• McRoberts maneuver
• Application of pressure on the anterior shoulder, bringing the fetus in an oblique position with head towards vagina (also called the Rubin II maneuver)
• Wood’s screw maneuver (also called the opposite of Rubin II maneuver), causing the anterior shoulder to turn to the posterior and vice versa
• Barnum’s maneuver (also called Jacquemier’s maneuver, allowing the delivery of the posterior shoulder first; this enables the forearm and hand to be identified and pulled gently.
• Gaskin maneuver, involving the movement of the mother to all-fours position, causing the pelvic outlet to widen (named after Ina May Gaskin, Certified Professional Midwife)

Some measures are even more drastic; these include:

• Zavanelli’s maneuver; the fetal head is pushed back in by performing a cesarean section
• Intentional clavicular fracture, reducing the shoulder diameter and allowing it to pass across the birth canal
• Symphysiotomy, making the birth canal opening laxer by breaking the tissue between the pubes bones, allowing the shoulders to pass through.
• Hysterotomy that allows the delivery of the obstructed shoulder

Management of Shoulder Dystocia

For most obstetrical nursing units in North America, management of shoulder dystocia has now become a focus point. Various courses are offered to nurses wherein they perform routine drills to prevent any delivery complications for both mother and fetus.

Alarmer

This is a common treatment algorithm used in most health care facilities:

• A – ask for help
• L – leg hyperflexion
• A – anterior shoulder disimpaction
• R – rubin maneuver
• M – manual delivery of posterior arm
• E – episiotomy
• R – roll over on all fours

Complications of Shoulder Dystocia

The prime concern of shoulder dystocia is the upper brachial plexus nerves damage. Excess tension can tear the nerve roots, resulting in complete dysfunction of the fetus. The ventral roots are at greatest risk of injury as these endure the greatest tension.

Contact a Michigan Shoulder Dystocia Malpractice Lawyer

If an infant suffers shoulder dystocia due to medical negligence, it can give rise to a medical malpractice lawsuit.  Shoulder dystocia may affect a child socially, academically, and vocationally throughout childhood and even into adulthood.  The child may require physical therapy, medical procedures, and other services that can be a significant expense over the course of his or her lifetime.  These types of damage requests are included in a medical malpractice lawsuit filed for the condition of shoulder dystocia.

It is essential to contact our office as soon as possible so that we can obtain your child’s complete medical chart to determine whether there was negligence involved in the treatment.  There are strict time delays for filing medical malpractice lawsuits in Michigan so it is essential to contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible to see if your child has valid case.

Our Michigan medical malpractice lawyers handle cases involving meningitis. Meningitis is condition that causes inflammation of the membranes surrounding the spinal cord or the brain. In order to treat meningitis, the exact cause of the condition has to be determined This is a very serious condition that can cause permanent damage to the brain, neurologic problems, or even death.

The condition is normally a result of a viral or bacterial infection. However, the inflammation may also be caused by some rare conditions such as drug reaction, cancer or disease of immune system.  It is especially dangerous in infants.

There are incidents when this condition should have diagnosed and treated properly.  When this is not done and your newborn suffers injury and harm, it may give rise to  a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Signs and Symptoms of Meningitis

The most common symptoms of meningitis are lethargy, fever, and a decreased problem-solving ability, but these symptoms are difficult to detect in infants.

If the inflammation progresses beyond the membranes of the brain, the process is called encephalitis.   This can cause permanent and irreversible damage to the child, including blindness, hearing loss, and brain injury.

The most common occurrence of meningitis is in infants between birth and two years. The greatest risk lies after birth, and between three-eight months. Severe infections and problems in immune system at birth can increase the child’s risk of meningitis.

Treatment of Meningitis

If you suspect your child to be suffering from meningitis, you should seek immediate medical care.  Some points that need attention when you suspect that your child has meningitis are as under:

• When carrying the infant to the hospital, keep him as comfortable as possible. You must constantly observe the child for any deterioration in condition.
• Children with viral meningitis will be sent home as this can easily be treated by administering acetaminophen. It is also important to increase the intake of fluids.
• The child should be reevaluated in 1-2 days to make sure he/she is improving. If you find any worsening signs, you should immediately return to the medical facility.
• For more serious type of meningitis, the child is admitted in the hospital and treated through a variety of therapies and medical procedures.

Meningitis is a serious condition that can affect the social upbringing of your young one. The child may require medical treatment, special education, and other services that are a considerable expense over the child’s lifetime. These damage requests are included in medical malpractice lawsuit for seeking compensation for the failure to treat and diagnose meningitis.

Contact a Michigan Meningitis Malpractice Lawyer

An baby, infant, or child who has meningitis that is not timely treated and diagnosed by a hospital or physician can suffer permanent and irreversible injuries.  In such circumstances, the failure to properly treat the condition can give rise to a medical malpractice lawsuit.  Untreated meningitis can cause significant harm to the child and  can affect the social, academic and vocational upbringing of the child. These often require services that amount to a significant expense over a child’s lifetime and are sought as damages in a medical malpractice lawsuit.

It is essential to contact our office as soon as possible so that we can obtain your child’s complete medical chart to determine whether there was negligence involved in the treatment.  There are strict time delays for filing medical malpractice lawsuits in Michigan so it is essential to contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible to see if your child has valid case.

Our Michigan birth injury lawyers handle birth injury cases involving Labor and Delivery negligence injuries.  A newborn can suffer serious and permanent injuries when a doctor, nurse, or midwife fails to follow the required protocol during the labor and delivery process.  When a baby suffers serious injuries and medical conditions due to medical negligence, it can give rise to a child birth injury medical malpractice lawsuit.

Irreversible injury may occur if a physician or healthcare center falls below the accepted standards in looking out for signs of fetal distress.

If a labor and delivery negligence does occur, there are a number of relevant questions that need to be ascertained:

• Did the birth trauma arise due to failure to monitor? Forewarning can be made if the fetal is monitored properly. If the staff is not observing the monitor, many important signs are missed, rendering life-threatening injuries to the mother and the baby.
• Did the medical practitioner fail to do a c-section when it had clearly been indicated? The baby is relieved of stress that could otherwise cause brachial plexus injury or brain damage, through a cesarean section.
• Did the injury arise due to forceps? Did inadequate oxygen supply cause cerebral palsy? Our medical experts examine all records of the delivery room to find out what steps had been taken to prevent the birth injury.
• Was Rh incompatibility brought into consideration? Was it treated during the pregnancy?
• Did the baby have jaundice or some other infection that was not timely treated or diagnosed?

Contact a Michigan Labor and Delivery Negligence Malpractice Lawyer

If an infant suffers a medical condition due to a labor and delivery error, it can give rise to a medical malpractice lawsuit.  Birth injuries can affect the social, academic and vocational upbringing of the infant. These often require services that amount to a significant expense over a child’s lifetime and are sought as damages in a medical malpractice lawsuit.

It is essential to contact our office as soon as possible so that we can obtain your child’s complete medical chart to determine whether there was negligence involved in the treatment.  There are strict time delays for filing medical malpractice lawsuits in Michigan so it is essential to contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible to see if your child has valid case.

Our Michigan birth injury lawyers handle cases involving Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy injuries.  This can be a very serious condition and can affect a child throughout his or her lifetime.  There are occasions in which this injury could have been prevented and this can give rise to a child birth injury medical malpractice lawsuit.

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a medical condition in which damage is caused to the brain due to lack of both oxygen and blood flow to the brain.

Causes and Consequences of Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)

This medical condition often arises during birth. There are many factors that account for HIE such as uterine rupture, cord around baby’s neck, knot in umbilical cord, breech birth or other difficulties in birth. Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy can also be caused by stroke, hanging, drowning or any other activity that impedes the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain. The irreversible damage can occur due to this condition within minutes.

The damage may also occur in utero. There are instances when the exact cause of HIE in newborns is not determined. Damage caused to the infants can range from very mild to severe. In order to determine the location and severity of the injury, various measures such as EEG, MRI and CAT scans are run.

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy can also be caused due to cerebral palsy, dysphagia, mental retardation, cortical vision impairment, hearing impairment, temperature instability, microcephaly, seizures and chronic lung disease. Any child diagnosed with HIE has a bleak chance to live with full abilities. At the same time, every child found with the disabilities is unique in strengths and needs.

Treatment for Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Patients

There is no treatment for HIE. Various therapies aid in oral muscle development, muscle tone and control, and vision. Traditional therapies are also performed. These include:

• Physical therapy, used for gross motor control
• Occupational therapy, used for small muscle control
• Speech and language therapy

Oral stimulation is another form of therapy that is performed by the SLT or the OT, depending on their qualifications.

There are some alternative therapies that are also used. However, the benefits of these therapies are still not proven. A very limited research exists on the internet or elsewhere about Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. As this condition is an underlying cause for so many other disabilities, it makes it quite difficult to determine the exact cause, and consequently the specialist who would treat the patient best. This makes it difficult for parents to properly address all the needs of their suffering infant.

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy may affect a child socially, academically, and vocationally throughout childhood and even into adulthood.  The child may require physical therapy, medical procedures, and other services that can be a significant expense over the course of his or her lifetime.  These types of damage requests are included in a medical malpractice lawsuit filed for the condition of Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.