Your infant’s bent arm may be a sign of a brain hemorrhage that occurred during pregnancy, labor, delivery, or shortly after birth. Hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes occur in about 1 in every 4,000 live births, according to National Institutes of Health (NIH). About 80 percent of these are arterial ischemic infarctions.
Brain hemorrhages can cause physical, cognitive, social, and behavioral concerns for the affected child and their family. The outcomes can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including how long the blood flow was disrupted and the areas of the brain affected.
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Other Birth Injuries Can Also Cause Similar Symptoms
Your infant’s bent arm could be a sign of a brain hemorrhage. Babies who suffer hemorrhagic or ischemic strokes during gestation, during labor or delivery, or after birth, can suffer paralyzing injuries in the same way an adult who suffered a stroke can become paralyzed. The child may have difficulty moving one arm or one side of their body as a result of a brain hemorrhage.
In addition, there are also numerous other birth injuries that can cause your child to struggle with moving or controlling one arm. One such condition includes Erb’s palsy, a brachial plexus nerve injury. This type of birth injury occurs as a result of damage to the nerves that run between the brachial plexus and the arm. This injury often results in the arm being awkwardly bent toward the body. Many children recover fully from this type of injury during their first year of life. Others have life-long concerns related to these injuries.
In fact, as a case review published in Paediatrics & Child Health (PCH) demonstrated, any hand preference in an infant younger than 18 months old is likely pathological. The child may require neurological exams and possibly imaging to ensure there is not an underlying condition that is causing the preference.
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Children May Benefit from Treatment and Therapy
In general, brain damage caused by a hemorrhage cannot be cured or repaired. Your child will deal with the lasting effects throughout their life. However, treatment of symptoms such as seizures and muscle contractures and therapies, including physical and occupational therapies, can help.
If only their arm movement is dramatically affected, they will likely do well with therapy and early intervention. Many children learn to adapt to their life-long impairments and live a relatively normal and full life, needing only occasional assistance. Others need ongoing support but can learn to manage self-care activities and may even live independently.
In children who have severe cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, or both arms are affected, they may require life-long support and care, as well as treatment and therapy.
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Developing a Birth Injury Case Based on Your Child’s Diagnosis
If your attorney believes you have a valid case against the doctor or hospital whose negligence allowed your child to suffer injuries, they will represent you based on contingency. They can help you build your case, including documenting your child’s previous treatment, ongoing needs, and other necessary care.
Your attorney will take steps to help you pursue financial recovery, including navigating the claims process and the legal system as dictated by your state’s laws. They will help you determine liability, meet all timelines, enlist the testimony of medical experts, and negotiate a settlement based on the value of your damages.
Damages recoverable include:
- Medical treatment expenses, including therapy and rehabilitation
- Necessary equipment and devices
- Time away from work
- Related expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
There is a limited time to file a lawsuit in order to secure a payout in your case. Each state has an applicable deadline set by the state’s statute of limitations. However, many states also have rules for tolling the statute of limitations when the victim is an infant. The best way to learn about the deadlines that apply in your case is to discuss your options with a birth injury medical malpractice attorney.
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Call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group Today
The Birth Injury Lawyers Group can help you get started today if your child suffered a preventable birth injury and now faces years of treatment, therapy, and other challenges as a result. You can get a free case review by calling us at (800) 222-9529. We can explain if we believe you have a valid medical malpractice case. Discuss your case with us to learn more about your rights and options.
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