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California Birth Injury Compensation

Brain injuries often happen as a result of head trauma. These are called traumatic brain injuries. Head trauma occurs during car accidents, falls, and assaults, as well as many other incidents during which the head receives a substantial blow. The brain becomes injured because the skull is damaged or because the brain is shaken inside the skull. Bleeding can build up pressure within the skull, which can also damage the brain.

Severe brain injuries

Severe brain injuries usually result in coma or vegetative state and long-term neurological damage. Symptoms such as not being able to think clearly, speak, or have coordination or muscle response may be permanent. Always call 911 in case of brain injury.

Treatment and rehabilitation for brain injuries is costly—the annual cost for brain injuries in the U.S. often exceeds $50 billion. Rehabilitation often includes physical therapy, speech therapy and psychological treatment. People who suffer from brain injuries often need occupational therapy as well. Contact an injury lawyer in order to have your questions and financial concerns addressed by a professional.

Brain injuries often happen as a result of head trauma. These are called traumatic brain injuries. Head trauma occurs during car accidents, falls, and assaults, as well as many other incidents during which the head receives a substantial blow. The brain becomes injured because the skull is damaged or because the brain is shaken inside the skull. Bleeding can build up pressure within the skull, which can also damage the brain.

Moderate brain injury

Moderate brain injuries are more serious than mild brain injuries. Unconsciousness lasts for minutes or hours, and symptoms may remain for months. Some long-term damage might be apparent, such as memory loss, speaking and thinking abilities and emotional damage. Many people who suffer moderate brain injuries can recover fully with treatment, however. Always call 911 in case of brain injury.

Treatment and rehabilitation for brain injuries is costly—the annual cost for brain injuries in the U.S. often exceeds $50 billion. Rehabilitation often includes physical therapy, speech therapy and psychological treatment. People who suffer from brain injuries often need occupational therapy as well. Contact an injury lawyer in order to have your questions and financial concerns addressed by a professional.

Cerebral Palsy shows up after birth or during the early years of a child’s life. Cerebral Palsy affects coordination and muscle movement, but isn’t caused by muscle or nerve damage. It is caused by abnormalities in the brain that control muscle movement. Although doctors haven’t narrowed down the exact causes of Cerebral Palsy, children who suffer from brain injuries or brain infections such as bacterial meningitis or viral encephalitis can develop Cerebral Palsy. Other causes are believed to include asphyxia, birth trauma and premature birth. Doctors are believed to be the cause of many cases of Cerebral Palsy while delivering children; either doctors use instruments to forcibly extract the baby, such as extracting vacuums or forceps, which results in head trauma and/or brain damage; or they fail to deliver the child before the child has suffered considerable head injury and oxygen depletion.

Signs of Cerebral Palsy include:

• lack of muscle coordination
• walking with a crouched gait
• exaggerated reflexes
• muscle tone that is too stiff or too floppy
• walking on the toes
• walking with a scissored gait
• walking with one foot or leg dragging

Some children suffer from greater symptoms than others. While some children may be unable to walk or care for themselves, others merely walk with an awkward gait. Rehabilitation is important, and will help children overcome many symptoms. Rehabilitation includes speech therapy, coordination and muscle therapy, learning to cope with difficult tasks, drugs to overcome muscle spasms and control seizures, and learning to use wheelchairs or walkers.

Cerebral Palsy is one of the most expensive developmental disabilities to manage over a lifetime. Many people end up paying more than $1 million over a lifetime. In the U.S., approximately 10,000 children are diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy when they are born, and more than 1200 children are diagnosed when they reach school age. Contact a personal injury lawyer immediately if you have a child who is diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy in order to seek compensation for your medical expenses. 

Brain injuries often happen as a result of head trauma. These are called traumatic brain injuries. Head trauma occurs during car accidents, falls, and assaults, as well as many other incidents during which the head receives a substantial blow. The brain becomes injured because the skull is damaged or because the brain is shaken inside the skull. Bleeding can build up pressure within the skull, which can also damage the brain.

Mild brain injury

Mild brain injuries include most concussions and more minor head traumas that result in some confusion and dizziness or only a brief moment of unconsciousness. Mild brain injuries usually heal themselves; the person usually does not experience any long-term symptoms. Short-term symptoms include headache, dizziness, confusion, blurred vision and nausea. Remember that any head trauma and potential brain injury should be treated as an emergency; swelling and bleeding inside the skull may not be immediately apparent and calling 911 or receiving medical attention should be done immediately.

Treatment and rehabilitation for brain injuries is costly—the annual cost for brain injuries in the U.S. often exceeds $50 billion. Rehabilitation often includes physical therapy, speech therapy and psychological treatment. People who suffer from brain injuries often need occupational therapy as well. Contact an injury lawyer in order to have your questions and financial concerns addressed by a professional.

Brain injuries often happen as a result of head trauma. These are called traumatic brain injuries. Head trauma occurs during car accidents, falls, and assaults, as well as many other incidents during which the head receives a substantial blow. The brain becomes injured because the skull is damaged or because the brain is shaken inside the skull. Bleeding can build up pressure within the skull, which can also damage the brain.

Acquired brain injury

An acquired brain injury occurs during a near-drowning incident, suffocation, choking, strangulation, and exposure to toxins or viruses. These occur because there is a lack of oxygen and blood flow to the brain. Drug use can also cause acquired brain injuries.

Treatment and rehabilitation for brain injuries is costly—the annual cost for brain injuries in the U.S. often exceeds $50 billion. Rehabilitation often includes physical therapy, speech therapy and psychological treatment. People who suffer from brain injuries often need occupational therapy as well. Contact an injury lawyer in order to have your questions and financial concerns addressed by a professional.

Brain injuries often happen as a result of head trauma. These are called traumatic brain injuries. Head trauma occurs during car accidents, falls, and assaults, as well as many other incidents during which the head receives a substantial blow. The brain becomes injured because the skull is damaged or because the brain is shaken inside the skull. Bleeding can build up pressure within the skull, which can also damage the brain.

Traumatic brain injury

Brain injuries often happen to children. Some children receive brain injuries during birth, when their heads receive too much pressure inside the birth canal or when extraction instruments such as extraction vacuums and forceps are used in an aggressive manner. Or, children who are victims of child abuse may receive brain injuries when they are hit, shoved or shaken (the latter is called Shaken Baby Syndrome). These are all types of traumatic brain injuries.

Treatment and rehabilitation for brain injuries is costly—the annual cost for brain injuries in the U.S. often exceeds $50 billion. Rehabilitation often includes physical therapy, speech therapy and psychological treatment. People who suffer from brain injuries often need occupational therapy as well. Contact an injury lawyer in order to have your questions and financial concerns addressed by a professional.

Although the rate of brain injuries at birth is decreasing because of developments in fetal monitoring technology, birthing methods and an increased awareness of the risks, brain injuries at birth still happen. Brain injuries at birth occur when the baby is of a large size and when the baby is not oriented correctly inside the birth canal. Brain injuries at birth occur because the baby does not receive adequate oxygen or blood to the brain, or because obstetric instruments or excessive pressure traumatizes the baby’s head. The use of obstetric instruments such as forceps or vacuum extractors can exacerbate or be the primary cause of brain injuries. Personal injury attorneys can help advise you of your rights and any compensation you might be entitled to if your child suffered a brain injury at birth.

A baby’s head is the first body part to enter the birth canal during birth, and therefore receives the most pressure. Too much pressure can lead to brain injuries. Some babies receive minor swelling and bruising, which disappears a few days after birth. Sometimes, bones of the skull can fracture. Ultrasounds and other monitoring devices can help detect whether a baby is too large or not oriented in the birth canal correctly, and then a decision can be made about whether to perform a Cesarean section. Cesarean sections can help reduce the chances of brain injuries at birth.

Mothers who have gestational diabetes also have an increased risk of their babies suffering from a brain injury, because the mothers’ placentas do not correctly or adequately deliver blood flow and oxygen to the baby. It is important that doctors test mothers for gestational diabetes and take the appropriate steps to minimize the risk of a brain injury at birth. If a doctor fails to adequately test the mother and the child, a medical malpractice attorney will be able to inform you of your rights and answer your questions.

There are many effects of brain injuries at birth. Cerebral palsy can develop after a baby receives a head injury. The most frequent cause of cerebral palsy is a decreased flow of oxygen and/or blood to the brain. Cerebral palsy is caused by abnormalities in the brain that permanently affect movement of the body and control of the muscles. Babies with more serious brain injuries can remain in a persistent vegetative state throughout life. Babies with less serious brain injuries can have difficulty learning, concentrating, speaking and remembering.

Most brain injuries at birth can be prevented if doctors:

·        Recognizes the signs of fetal distress during labor and takes appropriate actions

·        Takes appropriate steps when shoulder dystocia occurs (shoulder dystocia is when the baby’s shoulder gets stuck and delivery is interrupted)

·        Properly use obstetric instruments like forceps and vacuum extractors

Birth complications are scary and painful for you and the baby. Complications usually happen when the baby is not positioned correctly before and during birth. Trauma can occur if the baby is forcibly removed with instruments such as forceps or extractor vacuums, and oxygen flow can be decreased or cut off if the baby is not removed in a timely fashion.

Injuries that babies might suffer during birth include:

• head injuries. These can happen because the head receives much of the pressure when it enters the birth canal. Swelling and bruising can occur, as can Cephalohematoma, which is a bleeding injury in which a soft lump forms.
• nerve injuries. These can happen to the face, arms and spine. Whereas the facial muscles and arms usually heal within a few weeks, the spine damage can be permanent and can result in paralysis.
• bone injury. Bones can break or fracture during birth.

In the case of more serious head injuries, babies can develop Cerebral Palsy or Erb’s Palsy before, during or immediately after birth. The primary characteristics of Cerebral Palsy are lack of muscle control and movement. There is no proven cause of the diseases, but brain injury at birth plays a major role. Cerebral Palsy has a number of symptoms, including:

• seizures
• spasms
• visual and hearing problems
• hyperactivity
• learning disorders

In Erb’s Palsy, the nerves in the brachial plexus are stretched during difficult delivery, usually when someone has to forcibly remove the baby. Babies can lose movement in one or both arms, and only be able to move their fingers. A baby born with Erb’s Palsy will hold the arm straight down at its side and not move it. A droopy eyelid on the affected side will indicate a more serious injury. It is important to contact a person injury attorney if your child develops Cerebral Palsy or Erb’s Palsy.

To avoid these and other birth injuries, talk to your doctor extensively before giving birth. Receive regular check-ups to determine the baby’s growth, position and health. Discuss what you want your doctor to do if there are complications. Perhaps a C-section is the right option for you. Know all of your options before the big day arrives.

Thalidomide poses a high risk of injury to unborn babies. However, it is used today in certain medical studies and for certain illnesses. Thalidomide was originally used in European countries in the late 1950s. It was used as a sleeping pill and to treat morning sickness. It was then discovered that Thalidomide could cause serious injury to unborn babies.

What are some important things I should know about Thalidomide?

Even as little as one dose can result in serious injuries to an unborn baby. This includes serious birth defects that included the stunted growth of arms and legs. Other injuries can affect vision, hearing, and bodily organs.

Thalidomide is only used in certain medical studies that are highly regulated. These studies are done to find cures for life-threatening diseases. Thalidomide is also used to treat people with debilitating and disfiguring lesions associated with leprosy.

Thalidomide cannot be taken by pregnant women. Men and women who receive Thalidomide must use a condom as well as one other form of birth control during sexual intercourse for at least one month before and after taking Thalidomide. Men who took Thalidomide may contribute to the birth defects as well through their semen.

Thalidomide causes serious birth defects. This includes stunted growth of fetal arms, legs, hands and feet, and includes eye and ear defects, defects of the heart, genitals, kidneys, digestive tract and nervous system, as well as the lips and mouth.

Thalidomide may cause drowsiness in adults. Adults taking Thalidomide should not drive or operate machinery. Thalidomide can also cause nerve damage.

Contact your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking Thalidomide. You should discuss with your doctor whether to continue the pregnancy. Call your doctor immediately if you experience:

• burning
• numbness
• tingling in your arms, hands, feet or legs
• rash
• fever
• fast heart beat
• low blood pressure
• nausea
• edema
• irregular menstrual period
• blood sugar changes

Contact a personal injury attorney if you or your child was injured by Thalidomide.