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 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.