Anoxic Brain Injury Lawyer Cleveland, Ohio
Some of the most emotional and heart-wrenching personal injury cases occur when babies have been denied oxygen. These senseless injuries have a life altering impact on not only the victim, but their entire family. When the brain is starved of oxygen, brain damage can occur within minutes and it’s often irreversible.
During pregnancy and delivery, complications may arise from a lack of oxygen to the baby. This is referred to as fetal distress and during labor, it is usually detected with the use of fetal monitoring strips, fetal stethoscopes, and electronic fetal heart monitoring equipment.
Injuries caused by a lack of oxygen are defined as:
Anoxic – meaning a total lack of oxygen
Hypoxic – indicating a partial lack of oxygen. Anoxic brain injury, cerebral hypoxia, and hypoxic-anoxic injury (HAI) are terms used to describe brain damage caused by oxygen deprivation.
Just 4 minutes of insufficient oxygen can brain cell death, and 5 minutes of deprivation can result in permanent brain damage. This can lead to a wide variety of cognitive and physical disorders.
How An Anoxic Brain Injury May Be Caused
Umbilical Cord Complications: Anoxic brain injury can occur if the umbilical cord becomes compressed or twisted during labor, restricting the baby’s oxygen supply. This may occur due to a tangled cord, cord prolapse (when the cord precedes the baby into the birth canal), or cord compression from the baby’s position. In such cases, the oxygen-rich blood flow to the baby can be compromised, leading to oxygen deprivation and an acquired brain injury.
Prolonged Labor or Fetal Distress: If labor is prolonged, or if the baby shows signs of distress, it can lead to oxygen deprivation and anoxic or hypoxic brain injuries. Prolonged labor may cause the baby’s oxygen supply to decrease, while fetal distress could result from issues like a drop in the baby’s heart rate or irregular heartbeats. Failure to address these situations promptly may result in inadequate oxygen delivery to the brain and subsequent brain injury.
Medication or Anesthesia Complications: The use of certain medications or anesthesia during labor and delivery can impact the baby’s oxygen supply. In some cases, medications may affect the baby’s respiratory or cardiovascular systems, leading to decreased oxygen levels. Anesthesia errors or complications can result in changes in maternal blood pressure or breathing patterns, indirectly affecting oxygen delivery to the baby.
Birth Trauma: Trauma during birth, such as the improper use of delivery instruments such as forceps or vacuum extractors, can lead to an anoxic brain injury. These instruments, when used incorrectly, can cause physical trauma to the baby’s head or brain, potentially disrupting blood flow and oxygen delivery.
Inadequate Monitoring and Response: Failure to monitor the baby’s vital signs during labor, or to promptly respond to signs of distress can contribute to a hypoxic brain injury. Inadequate monitoring means changes in the baby’s heart rate or oxygen levels are not detected in a timely manner, leading to delayed intervention.
We rely heavily on our medical professionals to ensure the birthing process is free from complications. As a Cleveland brain injury lawyer, it’s my job to make sure doctors treat every patient with the best standard of care or they will be subjected to an injury lawsuit. It’s also my job to help you recover damages if your child suffered a brain injury and permanent disability during birth. Call me today, and I’ll Make Them Pay!®
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Cerebral Palsy: Occurs from brain trauma during birth and results in muscle control and movement coordination difficulties. This condition often necessitates mobility aids like wheelchairs, braces or other adaptive devices to help with dressing, eating, and personal hygiene.
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Oxygen deprivation during birth can lead to intellectual and developmental disabilities, causing struggles with learning, memory, and problem-solving. Often times specialized educational support is required, and independent living skills may be limited, necessitating assistance and accommodations for various tasks.
Seizures and Epilepsy: Severe brain injuries can result the potential development of epilepsy due to disrupted brain electrical activity. Seizures vary in frequency and severity can impact daily life by restricting activities such as driving, working, and participating in certain situations without supervision. This requires medication management and lifestyle adjustments.
Sensory Impairments: Oxygen deprivation can lead to sensory impairments like vision or hearing difficulties due to damage to the sensory processing areas in the brain. Such impairments pose challenges in communication, social interactions, and navigating surroundings, requiring assistive devices and alternative communication methods.
Emotional and Behavioral Changes: Brain damage can cause emotional and behavioral changes, including mood swings and difficulty managing emotions. These challenges impact relationships and daily interactions, and often require psychological support, therapy, and coping strategies to navigate effectively.
Memory and Attention Deficits: Anoxic brain injuries can affect memory and attention, resulting in the difficulty to organize thoughts, recall appointments, and stay focused. Strategies such as reminders, routines, and organizational tools are vital to managing daily activities for individuals with these deficits.
Language and Communication Difficulties: Damage to a specific area of the brain can lead to language and communication difficulty, known as aphasia. Expressing thoughts, understanding language, and engaging in conversations become challenging, highlighting the importance of speech therapy and alternative communication methods.
Often times, these life long conditions are the result of medical malpractice brain injuries. If this has happened to you or a loved one, you should call me to file a personal injury claim.
Possible Therapies, Surgeries, and Medical Devices
Physical Therapy:
Physical therapy involves exercises and techniques that enhance muscle strength, coordination, and mobility. This helps individuals with brain injuries improve their motor skills and overall functional abilities.
Occupational Therapy:
Occupational therapy focuses on developing essential life skills such as self-care, fine motor control, and activities of daily living. This therapy enables individuals to regain independence and effectively navigate daily tasks.
Speech Therapy:
This treatment addresses communication and language difficulties. It helps by employing exercises, strategies, and devices to help individuals with brain injuries improve their speech articulation, language comprehension, and expression.
Possible Surgeries:
Orthopedic Surgery:
Orthopedic surgery corrects musculoskeletal issues related to brain injuries, such as contractures or deformities, aiming to improve mobility and alleviate pain.
Epilepsy Surgery:
Epilepsy surgery involves the removal of the seizure-causing brain tissue, or implanting devices such as a vagus nerve stimulator. The goal is to reduce or control seizures to improve quality of life.
Medical Devices:
Wheelchairs and Mobility Aids: Wheelchairs, braces, and mobility aids facilitate movement for individuals with mobility limitations, enhancing accessibility and independence in daily activities.
Communication Devices: Speech-generating devices and augmentative communication tools, assist individuals with language difficulties in expressing themselves effectively and engaging with others.
Hearing Aids: Hearing aids amplify sounds and improve auditory perception, enabling individuals with sensory impairments to better communicate, interact, and engage with their environment.
Assistive Technology: Assistive technology encompasses a range of tools, software, and devices designed to assist individuals with brain injuries. This will aid in tasks such as memory enhancement, organization, and communication, thereby promoting functional independence.
Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS): A vagus nerve stimulator is a surgically implanted device that delivers electrical impulses to the brain via the vagus nerve. It can help to control seizures and potentially enhance an individual’s overall quality of life.
Cost of Care
Therapies
The cost of therapies for patients with brain injuries can vary depending on several factors. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, behavioral therapy, and cognitive rehabilitation are all crucial components of rehabilitation and recovery. The cost of these therapies vary based on the frequency and duration of sessions, the expertise of therapists, and the individual’s specific needs. The financial burden can be substantial, especially when considering the need for ongoing therapy sessions to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Surgeries
Surgical interventions for brain injuries, such as orthopedic procedures to address mobility issues and epilepsy surgery to control seizures, involve complex medical procedures that have a range of costs. Surgical fees, hospital charges, anesthesia, post-operative care, and potential follow-up appointments contribute to the overall expenses. The cost can vary significantly based on the procedure’s complexity, the healthcare facility’s location, and the individual’s unique medical condition.
Medical Devices
Medical devices play a pivotal role in improving the quality of life for individuals with brain injuries, but their costs can present significant financial considerations. Wheelchairs, communication devices, hearing aids, and assistive technology are designed to enhance mobility, communication, and sensory experiences. However, the cost of these devices can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on factors like technological features, customization, and the specific needs of the individual.
When a child suffers severe brain damage during childbirth, they may suffer for their entire life. To help improve their quality of life, it is very important they get the help they need. If this has happened to your child, I want to be there to help. Your child deserves the best chance to live a happy, healthy life. I will take care of your brain injury case, but you need to call me for a free consultation, and I’ll Make Them Pay!®
Medical Malpractice Insurance
Medical malpractice insurance serves as a crucial protective measure for doctors and healthcare professionals, offering coverage in the event that a patient alleges negligence or harm resulting from medical treatment. This insurance provides financial security to healthcare providers by covering legal costs, settlements, or judgments that might arise from medical malpractice claims.
The primary goal of insurance companies offering medical malpractice coverage is to manage and minimize potential financial liabilities arising from malpractice claims. When a malpractice claim arises, the insurance company’s aim is to investigate the claim, negotiate a settlement, or defend the doctor in court. Settling cases efficiently and for as little as possible is in the interest of insurance companies, as it helps them control costs and maintain profitability.
While the goal of insurance companies is to settle cases with minimal financial impact, patients who have suffered harm due to medical negligence deserve compensation that accurately reflects their losses. This is why you need to call me. As an injury attorney with more than 40 years of experience, I know how to navigate the complex legal landscape of such cases. I work with a team of experts to thoroughly evaluate your claim, gather evidence, consult medical experts, and build a strong case to establish liability and demonstrate the extent of damages.
As your personal injury lawyer, I will take on the insurance company to get your child everything they need to live as normal of a life as possible. It breaks my heart to learn a child has suffered a horrific brain injury. I know you, as the parents, want to give your son or daughter the best life possible. I am here to help you.
If Your Baby Suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury, Call Me!
If indications suggest fetal distress may be occurring, there are ways medical staff can and should intervene. Actions such as repositioning the mother, administering an oxygen mask, checking for umbilical cord problems, performing an emergency C-section, and ensure nurses are qualified and ready to care for your newborn, can all help prevent injuries to your baby’s delicate brain.
Do you believe your baby’s injury was caused a lack of oxygen, and may have been caused by a medical professional’s neglect? Call me today and we’ll discuss your case. I’ll Make Them Pay!® so your child can receive all of the care and therapies needed to live a productive, full life.
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