While birth injuries can be a part of the natural birthing process, there are some birth injuries that occur due to the physician negligence or nurses in attendance during labor and delivery.  Birth injuries can occur at any point in time during the labor and delivery process.  Medical situations or emergencies may arise during labor and delivery in which the physician or nurse is required to make a quick decision, and sometimes instead of acting quickly the doctor or nurse will hesitate or fail to recognize the situation.  This hesitation or equivocation can cause irreversible damage to the baby. 

One of the more serious birth injuries that can occur as a result of medical malpractice is cerebral palsy.  Cerebral palsy is caused by brain abnormalities, which can be the result of lack of oxygen, bleeding, head trauma, or other injury sustained during the labor and delivery process.  Cerebral palsy can cause developmental delays and may not be recognized in the child until approximately 3 years of age.  Signs of cerebral palsy include but are not limited to: a lack of muscle coordination, stiff or tight muscles, and abnormal muscle tone.  The effects of cerebral palsy on the individual's life can vary from person to person, but are generally very serious and expensive to care for over a life time.

Children born with cerebral palsy can sometimes require extensive medical care and specialized treatment.  This is especially true for those children born with severe cases of cerebral palsy.  Cerebral palsy can affect the child's ability to speak, swallow, walk, and complete general day to day activities.  The medical care and specialized services that some children require can place a heavy strain on the family's finances.  Therefore, it is imperative that parents seek help from qualified attorneys to show that their child's disability is the result of medical malpractice.  When medical malpractice can be proven, the family and the child can be awarded very significant monetary damages.

Parents that either suspect or know their child is suffering from a birth injury such as cerebral palsy will need assistance in proving their case.  Medical records will need to be obtained and potential witnesses will need to be interviewed.  This process can be daunting, overwhelming and very expensive which is why it is critical to retain the services of qualified counsel.  The lawyers at Robinson & Associates can provide parents with the assistance and guidance they need to prove their case when when they believe their child's cerebral palsy may be related to medical malpractice.

   

Most births occur without incident, and mother, father, and baby are able to happily begin their new lives together.  While this is the case for most new parents, there are times in which the newborn suffers a birth injury before, during, or after labor.  The majority of birth injuries occur while the baby is in the birth canal, but there are other times that injuries may occur as well.  Some of the injuries sustained by newborns occur as a result of natural labor and delivery processes, but other birth injuries are the result of the doctor's or nurse's negligence or harmful acts.  When a birth injury occurs due to the medical negligence or harmful acts of a healthcare provider, the parents of the injured child may have a medical malpractice claim. Robinson & Associates malpractice lawyers can help parents in Maryland and Washington D.C. determine if they have a valid medical malpractice case.

    Brain damage/injury is one of the most devastating birth injuries suffered by a child.  The severity of the brain damage varies from child to child, and the ways in which the child's life is affected will also vary.  Cerebral palsy occurs as the result of brain damage during the birthing process when the child is deprived of oxygen.  Children affected by brain damage may experience developmental delays and learning disabilities.  Muscle function, control, and coordination may be affected, and children with brain damage may have trouble with daily activities such as speaking, eating, swallowing, and walking.  Robinson & Associates  experienced attorneys can assist in preparing and litigating medical malpractice cases involving children with brain damage due to medical malpractice in Maryland and Washington D.C.

  

The nursery is ready, the hospital bags are packed, and now all that the expectant mother and father have to do is wait on the baby's big debut.  When the long anticipated day finally arrives, there is nothing that could take away from the soon-to-be parent's exhilaration and joy.   However, if during the labor and delivery a birth injury results, both the lives of the parents and the child could be forever altered.  A birth injury can result before, during, or after delivery, and birth injuries can be minor or severe.  Some birth injuries heal without medical intervention or much discomfort to the child or parents.  Other birth injuries have serious, life-long consequences for both the child and his or her parents.

    The unfortunate truth about birth injuries is that many are preventable.  While some injuries occur to the newborn during the natural process of labor and delivery, other birth injuries are the result of negligence or medical malpractice on behalf of the attending physicians and nurses.  When a physician or nurse fails to act appropriately or provide proper treatment in emergency situations during labor and delivery and a birth injury results, the physician and/or nurse or hospital may be held liable for damages.  The physician or nurse can be held liable for damages if it can be proven that the birth injury was the result of medical malpractice. Robinson and Associates Medical Malpractice lawyers offers resources and information with regard to birth injuries and medical malpractices.  Parents of children with birth injuries often feel alone, confused, and may not know the process for filing a malpractice claim in Maryland or Washington D.C.  Robinson & Associates can be of assistance and offer parents the reassurance they need.

    Children that have suffered birth injuries a result of medical malpractice may be awarded significant monetary compensation by the courts for their injuries.  Birth injuries can have serious, permanent and expensive ramifications on the lives of the affected children, children with birth injuries may require life-long medical treatment and other types of special services.  This can present a staggering financial burden to the parents or caretakers of these children.  By obtaining the financial remuneration to which these children are entitled, the parents and caretakers can ensure that the children receive all of the medical services and specialized treatment they require. 

     Parents of children with birth injuries in Maryland and Washington D.C. are invited to contact Robinson & Associates for more information.  Our chief malpractice litigator (former in house Johns Hopkins defense lawyer) can assist parents in determining if their child's birth injuries were a result of medical malpractice.  If so, we can help parents pursue a claim for damages.  Parents can take advantage of our free case evaluation, browse articles, and find other information and advice pertinent to their situation.  Parents of children with birth injuries are not alone, Robinson & Associates is here to help.

    The birth of a child should be one of the happiest and most exhilarating times in the life of a couple.  After nine months of anticipation and expectation, a new life is about to enter the world.  Both mother and father are prepared and anxious to meet their new son or daughter.  Suddenly, during the delivery mother and child are faced with an emergency and the health and welfare of the child is in the doctor's hands.  The outcome of this emergency will depend on the actions and reactions of the attending doctor and nurses.  When emergencies during labor and delivery are not dealt with quickly and carefully, birth injuries and medical malpractice can result. 

    Some birth injuries in Maryland and Washington D.C., such as Erb's palsy, may be preventable injuries.  Erb's palsy is an injury to the nerves in the neck and shoulder that can occur when the baby's shoulder becomes lodged under the mother's pelvic bones during delivery.  These nerves, known as the brachial plexus, may be compressed, stretched, or torn.  This may cause either temporary or permanent nerve damage.  Because these nerves are responsible for both the feeling and motion of the arm, wrist, and hand, the child's ability to have full movement or sensation in the affected arm may be compromised.  Erb's palsy injuries can range from limited motion to complete paralysis.  Robinson & Associates, Medical Malpractice law firm can offer birth injury and malpractice information and resources to parents in Maryland and Washington D.C. that have children with birth injuries such as Erb's palsy.

    Many times birth injuries such as Erb's palsy occur because the doctor or nurses did not provide the proper care and treatment necessary during labor and delivery.  When licensed healthcare providers fail to provide adequate and proper treatment and birth injuries occur, the healthcare providers can be held liable for damages.  Victims of birth injuries such as Erb's palsy may be entitled to significant monetary compensation by those responsible for their injuries.

    If you live in Maryland or Washington D.C. and believe that your child has been the victim of a birth injury due to medical malpractice, we can review your case and offer professional legal guidance and a free no obligation consultation.  Many times victims of birth injury require special medical attention or treatment, and this can create a very significant financial strain on the parents.  Robinson and Associates Medical Malpractice attorneys can help parents ensure their child receives the financial compensation they deserve to assist in the care of their injuries.  The affects of Erb's palsy can last a lifetime, and victims should be compensated for their compromised quality of life and the pain and suffering endured as a result of a preventable birth injury.

The birth of a child is a life-changing event for the child's parents while a birth injury can be a life-changing event for the child.  A birth injury can occur either before, during, or after delivery, and many birth injuries are preventable.  Shoulder dystocia is an emergency which occurs during delivery that can lead to serious birth injuries.  Shoulder dystocia results when the child's shoulder becomes lodged behind the mother's pelvic bone during birth.  When shoulder dystocia is not handled properly and timely by the attending physician and nurses, it can lead to severe and permanent injury to the child.  Victims of shoulder dystocia incidents in Maryland and Washington D.C. should contact Robinson & Associates to evaluate a possible Medical Malpractice claim to assist with the heavy financial burden which will be placed upon the parents of the child.

    When the newborn's shoulder becomes lodged during delivery, the nerves running from the spine to the shoulder become compressed, stretched or torn.  This compressing, stretching or tearing of nerves can lead to either temporary or permanent nerve damage.  Due to the resulting birth injuries sustained from shoulder dystocia, the child may lack muscle control in his or her arm, hand or wrist, suffer paralysis in his or her arm, or have no feeling in his or her arm or hand.  The child may also suffer bone fractures, brain damage, or even death if the shoulder dystocia is not attended to immediately.  Robinson & Associates can provide malpractice advice to parents including resources and information regarding shoulder dystocia and resulting birth injuries.

    Shoulder dystocia can present health complications and concerns for both the child and the mother during delivery.  If this medical emergency is not resolved quickly and correctly, both the mother and child may suffer.  When a physician fails to respond appropriately to shoulder dystocia and an injury occurs, the doctor may be held liable for medical malpractice.  We can help parents determine if the doctors or nurses present during the child's delivery acted according to the medical community's accepted standards of care.  If the physician or nurses failed to respond to the situation appropriately, those responsible for the child's injuries may be held liable for damages.

    Shoulder dystocia can cause permanent disability to the child, and these children may require special medical care and treatment for life.  Special medical care and treatment can create a financial burden for the parents. When birth injuries occur due to medical malpractice, the child may be entitled to monetary compensation for their injuries as well as their pain and suffering.   While no financial remuneration can change the fact that the birth injury occurred, the monies obtained from the parties responsible for the birth injury can help parents ensure their child gets the medical attention and special services they deserve.

At Robinson & Associates, our former Medical Malpractice defense lawyers (formerly in-house counsel to the world renowned John's Hopkins Hospital) can offer free consultations and legal guidance to victims of shoulder dystocia in Maryland, Washington D.C. and nearby states.  Those responsible for the negligence or malpractice can be held accountable for their actions and for the serious financial ramifications to your child and your family.  Parents can contact Robinson & Associates to obtain free case reviews from qualified and experienced local attorneys to determine if their child's birth injury resulted from medical malpractice.  

When providing care and supervision for an aging loved one becomes too difficult for the family to manage, placing the loved one in a nursing home may be the family's only option.  Because nursing homes are designed to provide elderly or ailing individuals with the care and attention they require, families believe that their loved one will receive the best care possible and be safe and secure in a nursing home setting.  Unfortunately, this is not always the case.  Between 1 and 2 million elderly individuals suffer from nursing home abuse or nursing home neglect each year. These numbers are merely estimates as many cases of nursing home abuse and elder abuse in general go unreported.

    Victims of nursing home abuse may suffer physical, emotional, or sexual abuse at the hands of their caregivers. Even when an elderly individual living in a nursing home setting does not report nursing home abuse, the family may suspect the individual is being abused.  Families should look for signs of abuse or neglect, some of these signs include but are not limited to: unexplained bruising, fear of being left alone, bedsores, malnutrition or dehydration, changes in behavior, or unexplained venereal disease.  If the loved one appears to be over medicated, is not allowed visitors, or makes unexpected financial decisions, the individual may be the victim of nursing home abuse.

    Nursing home abuse can occur for a number of reasons, and the most prominent reasons are related to nursing home staff.  When a nursing home facility has poorly trained or under qualified staff, instances of nursing home abuse may be more common.  Additionally, when a nursing home facility is understaffed the chances of nursing home residents falling victim to neglect or abuse are increased.  Staff may fail to provide nursing home residents with even the most basic of needs, such as eating, grooming, bathing, and using the bathroom.  Residents may not receive the proper medical treatment or care, may be over-medicated or restrained to control behavior, or residents may be threatened or coerced into making changes to their will or other financial documents.  These abuses are perpetrated by the very staff responsible for the daily care of the family's loved one.

    When researching nursing home facilities, there are steps the family can take to ensure their loved one will be cared for properly.  Because inspection results and surveys can often be misleading, families should not rely solely on these types of information. Families should obtain the following information when making a determination regarding nursing home placement for their loved one: whether the home and administrator are licensed, if background checks are conducted on all employees, if abuse prevention training is offered to staff, and if the nursing home is adequately staffed.  By asking questions and becoming more familiar with the nursing home and its policies, families can make better and more informed decisions regarding placing their loved one in a nursing home facility.

    If you suspect your loved one has become the victim of nursing home abuse, Bruce Robinson and Associates can help your family.  We can offer expert legal advice and counsel, and we can effectively and successfully represent you and your loved one in court.  Victims of nursing home abuse may be entitled to monetary compensation for their pain and suffering and those individuals responsible for the abuse should be held accountable.  For a free no obligation consultation, contact Robinson and Associates.  Let us put our experience and skills to work for you.