It’s fairly well-known that a low birth weight may cause health problems. Not many people realize a larger baby may also cause problems.

“Birth injuries are one of the most disturbing areas of law in which to practice. The future of that child has been compromised by carelessness or negligence. Things like that tear a family apart emotionally, mentally and physically; the guilt they feel is tremendous and they want justice for their child,” outlined Christopher Mellino, a medical malpractice lawyer, of the Mellino Law Firm LLC in Cleveland, Ohio.
Birth injury medical malpractice may happen for a variety of reasons, and one of them relates to the size of the fetus. Premature babies are subject to a number of illnesses because they are not fully developed in order to withstand the rigors of the harsh world in which they find themselves.

Larger babies may possibly have gestational diabetes and their size is an issue when it comes to attempting a normal, vaginal birth. It’s often safer if a large baby is delivered by C-section or induced earlier before they reach full term. “If neither of these two things happen, the results can be painful for the mother and catastrophic for the baby in terms of crush injuries, lack of oxygen during birth and other injuries that may happen due to medical intervention; e.g., shoulder dystocia, or Erb’s palsy,” said Mellino.

Another thing that has the potential to cause birth injuries is cephalopelvic disproportion, meaning the mother’s pelvis (shape and size) is not favorable to having a natural birth. Many women with this condition will ultimately have C-sections. “It is vital this disorder be diagnosed early so when the time comes for giving birth, preparations will be in place for a C-section rather than attempt to deliver naturally,” Mellino added.

Difficult and hard labor may cause birth injuries as well and the baby may begin to lose oxygen. When this happens, the child may suffer brain damage. It’s a touch and go situation for the mother as well, and at this point, if the doctor is not paying careful attention to the fetal monitor, they may miss signs of fetal distress. If prompt action is not taken, the end result may be brain damage for the baby.

The position of the baby prior to its birth needs to be head down in the womb. “If it is in another other position, there are a variety of ways to turn the child or adjust its position, but this has to be done with great care. Extraction methods may also cause a baby severe damage,” explained Mellino.

Most often a birth will go without a hitch and mother and baby will be just fine. However, if someone has had a child and their child was injured during the birth, it would be wise to speak to a birth injury medical malpractice lawyer. Not all birth injuries are the result of negligence. For instance, some brain injuries happened in the womb, as a result of an infection the mother may have had.

“Each case is different and speaking to a med mal lawyer will clarify issues about your case and give you a certain understanding about medical negligence and how a case would be built and proceed to settlement or court,” indicted Christopher Mellino, a medical malpractice lawyer, of the Mellino Law Firm LLC in Cleveland, Ohio.

To learn more, visit http://www.christophermellino.com.

Giving birth is dangerous and if the doctor isn’t watching carefully, the baby may suffer. Lack of oxygen at birth may cause cerebral palsy.

“The most common form of birth injury to babies may come in the form of three different kinds of palsy that develop over time: spastic cerebral palsy, athetoid (dyskinetic) cerebral palsy, and ataxic cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy usually is diagnosed by 3 years of age. Roughly 800,000 children and adults in the US have cerebral palsy,” explained Christopher Mellino, a medical malpractice lawyer, of the Mellino Law Firm LLC in Cleveland, Ohio.

Roughly 80% of those with palsy have spastic cerebral palsy, which simply means the muscles are stiff and movement is difficult. Within this category is spastic diplegia that affects both legs and causes the individual to walk with a scissor-like movement. Spastic hemiplegia affects one side of the body, usually one arm more severely than the involved leg. Spastic quadriplegia affects all four limbs, the face and trunk. These children can’t walk, are usually mentally retarded and subject to seizures, and have difficulty talking.

“Approximately 10% of people have athetoid cerebral palsy which presents in varied muscle tone, from too tight to too loose, causing uncontrolled movements ranging from writhing to jerky. Most children with this form of palsy are not able to sit or walk properly and may have trouble swallowing and speaking,” added Mellino.

Lastly, ataxic cerebral palsy affects roughly 10% of people who will have trouble with coordination and balancing and have trouble with certain motions needing precise coordination like coloring, writing or creating something.

Risk factors for babies to develop cerebral palsy include whether or not they are prematurely delivered, their mother had an infection during pregnancy, enough oxygen reached the fetus during pregnancy, blooding clotting diseases, severe jaundice, and asphyxia (lack of oxygen) during delivery.”Interestingly enough, it was widely thought that the most frequent cause of cerebral palsy was lack of oxygen during birth. Recent studies have shown that birth asphyxia only contributes to 5% to 10% of cases of cerebral palsy,” Mellino commented.

Caring for a child with cerebral palsy is an enormous expense, as their care means special equipment and tools. “It isn’t uncommon for the cost to be in the millions over a period of time, which is why, if your child has suffered birth injuries in a hospital that do result in cerebral palsy, that the damage award will likely be higher to include a child’s future income, pain and suffering, and medical treatments and special equipment that aids the child to live a reasonably normal life,” said Mellino. Health insurance and Medicaid don’t provide for these kinds of needs.

Some of the costs parents of children with cerebral palsy incur include a wheelchair with an adaptive seat ($3,500 – $10,000), a prone stander ($1,000 – $5,000), communication system to help them communicate (up to $4,000), and a special van to take the child places (up to $25,000).

Anyone who suspects their child may be a victim of birth injuries while at a hospital needs to speak to a skilled medical malpractice attorney immediately. “The attorney will be able to assess the case and help the parents understand the legal process involved should they choose to file a lawsuit,” suggested Christopher Mellino, a medical malpractice lawyer, of the Mellino Law Firm LLC in Cleveland, Ohio.

To learn more, visit http://www.christophermellino.com.