A recent study suggests umbilical cord milking reduces the risk of brain injuries, including cerebral palsy, among pre-term babies delivered by C-section, Medical Daily reported on June 30.
The research, which involved 197 infants delivered either vaginally or by C-section before the 32nd week of pregnancy, aimed to compare the benefits between umbilical cord milking, or the process of squeezing placental blood down the umbilical cord and into the baby, and delayed clamping, or delayed cutting of the cord for 30 to 60 seconds.
The results revealed milking was more effective in increasing the flow of blood, improving blood pressure and boosting hemoglobin count among pre-term C-section babies. However, no significant difference was observed among preterm babies delivered naturally.
Some cases of cerebral palsy have been found to be a result of negligent medical care. If your child has developed this life-long condition due to a reckless doctor or untrained medical staff, our legal team at the Driscoll Firm is here to help you. Call us at (800) 900-7704 and have your case assessed for free.
California-based Botox maker Allergan has appealed a $6.75 million verdict in a case filed by a couple who claims Botox treatment caused their son to suffer from seizures, the Burlington Free Press reported on June 9.
The drug maker has filed their appeal to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals several weeks after a judge in Vermont backed the jury’s decision to award the damages. Lori and Kevin Drake said their son had no history of seizures prior to Botox treatments, which were recommended by a Burlington doctor in 2010 and 2012 to treat their son’s cerebral palsy leg spasms. The couple claims the drug company failed to fully orient the doctor about the Botox treatment’s health risks.
The couple added that the treatment was off-label, as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has never approved Botox for treatment of muscle spasm in kids.
Errors in cerebral palsy treatment may aggravate your loved one’s medical condition, and may even cause serious, even life-threatening medical complications. If you believe your loved one’s condition was caused by medical negligence, our legal team at the Driscoll Firm might be able to help you file a lawsuit against the party involved. Call us at (800) 900-7704 to learn more about your legal options.
Botox maker Allergan is facing a federal lawsuit after the parents of a Vermont woman who died last year sued the company, alleging that the Botox treatment caused their daughter’s death, the Star Tribune reported on April 14.
Parents of Mandy Fortuna, 21, accused the Botox manufacturer of the failure to warn about the product’s danger. According to the lawsuit, Mandy started receiving Botox treatments in 2007, aggravating her health condition. On September 25, 2014, Mandy was found dead as her father tried to wake her up for school.
Mandy’s parents learned about the Botox’s risk after reading about a similar case against Allergan. In that lawsuit, a jury awarded $6.75 million to the family of a seven-year-old child who developed epilepsy after undergoing the same treatment by the same doctor.
Allergan, on the other hand, refused to comment on the issue.
Cerebral palsy treatments are supposed to relieve CP symptoms and promote a better quality of life. Unfortunately, defective CP treatments can tremendously damage a person’s health. If you believe your child’s CP has resulted from another party’s negligence, or if you believe your child’s CP has been aggravated due to medical negligence, a lawyer at the Driscoll Firm may look into your situation to see if it entitles you to file a claim. Call us at (800) 900-7704 today to begin taking action.
Brachial plexus palsy occurs in newborn infants when a complication arises during delivery, causing nerve injuries and hindering the function of an arm or shoulder. In some cases, the nerve damage heals on its own or can be healed with surgery. However, when the damage is more severe, the child may never regain full function of his or her arm.
In general, there are four different types of nerve injuries that can contribute to brachial plexus palsy. An infant may sustain more than one of these during delivery.
- Neurapraxia: The nerve is stretched but does not tear. The damage will usually heal without medical treatment within three months.
- Neuroma: The nerve fibers are damaged resulting in the formation of scar tissue. This scar tissue may put pressure on the remaining healthy nerve fibers.
- Rupture: The nerve is not just stretched but is actually torn. The nerve will not heal on its own, but may be repairable with surgery.
- Avulsion: The nerve is torn away from the spinal cord. This is the most severe form of nerve damage and is generally irreparable, even with surgery. In certain cases, limited function of the arm may be restored by using a nerve from another muscle.
These injuries are more common during difficult deliveries, or when a complication arises and the practitioner must deliver the baby quickly. Although the damage is never caused intentionally, a mistake or negligence on the part of the medical professional may result in life-changing consequences for the child. The lawyers at the Driscoll Firm, are here to answer your questions and help you understand your options for pursuing financial compensation for your child’s injuries. Contact our offices at (800) 900-7704 today.
Brachial plexus refers to a network of nerves running from the spine to the shoulders. It is responsible in delivering electric signals from the brain to the arms and shoulders, making it possible for the entire upper limb to feel sensation and to move. When these nerves are compressed, stretched, or torn, oftentimes from a physical trauma, a brachial plexus injury may occur.
Brachial plexus injury can happen at birth. Newborns who have been forcefully removed from the birth canal during labor are at risk of this kind of injury. Furthermore, a medical practitioner’s failure to perform C-section when needed may cause prolonged labor where the baby is in a compressed position for a significant amount of time, which can also cause brachial plexus injuries. This can result in severe pain, numbness, or limited use of the hand and arm.
If you believe your child’s brachial plexus injury has been a result of medical malpractice, our team of experienced lawyers at the Driscoll Firm might be able to help you file a lawsuit against the negligent parties involved. Call us at (800) 900-7704 today.
Cerebral palsy is primarily characterized by abnormalities in muscle tone, movement and posture. These abnormalities, in turn, could affect the overall skeletal development of children with this condition.
There are various bone and joint deformities associated with cerebral palsy. For instance, too much muscle spasticity may leave the cartilage between the bones narrow, which results in tighter joint spaces. Increased muscle tension may also leave the shaft of the bones thin. Because of disparities in growth and movement, some bone structures may also grow unevenly. For instance, children with cerebral palsy might have a right leg evidently longer than their left. Decreased bone density can also be a result of poor nutrient intake due to difficulty in chewing or swallowing.
Unfortunately, cerebral palsy can sometimes be the result of a medical practitioner’s negligence before, during, or after delivery. If you believe your child’s life-long condition has been the result of another party’s inattention, a lawyer at the Driscoll Firm can help you determine your eligibility in seeking legal action. Call us at (800) 900-7704 today.
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a blanket term referring to an impaired ability to control body movements. CP is primarily a result of brain damage caused by several possible factors, including abnormal brain development and brain trauma. Sadly, many cases of cerebral palsy have been associated with medical staff’s negligence in providing adequate care before and during childbirth.
Clinical signs of cerebral palsy usually manifest when the child turns three and may vary from mild to severe. Children with CP primarily experience developmental delay and may have trouble reaching certain growth milestones such as sitting and walking. Children with CP often find it difficult to achieve balance and proper posture and may also experience trouble speaking. Drooling, too much sucking, and inability to perform motor functions, such as crawling or holding a crayon, may also indicate the onset of CP.
If you believe your child has been subjected to this life-long medical condition because of negligent medical staff, a lawyer at The Driscoll Firm might be able to help you hold the responsible party accountable for the financial harm your family has incurred. You may reach us anytime by dialing (800) 305-9800.
According to a news report, Kaiser agreed to pay $4.1 million on February 7 in a San Francisco County Superior Court to settle a lawsuit filed against them over alleged negligence resulting in delayed delivery.
Dolores Lee, the guardian of a seven-year old boy who has cerebral palsy, developmental delay and epilepsy, stated in her claim that the hospital’s negligence during his great grandson’s delivery caused him to develop several birth injuries that has led him to be dependent for all his daily functions.
The attorneys at The Driscoll Firm believe families who have been affected by cerebral palsy as a result a medical practitioners’ negligence deserve compensation and justice. To learn more about the possibility of pursuing legal action and seeking financial compensation if you are dealing with such a situation, call us at (800) 900-7704 today.
