Spinal cord birth injuries are serious and can leave babies with long-term disabilities. Parents of these injured children often have a lifetime of caregiving ahead of them, which puts extra hardship on families right from the start.
If your baby suffered a spinal cord injury at birth due to a doctor’s negligence or failure to act, filing a lawsuit can help you get the compensation you need to pay for their medical care.
For your FREE initial case consultation, call (440) 333-3800 today.
There are two main types of spinal cord injuries – complete and incomplete.
The majority of infant spinal cord injuries are incomplete, which means that the cord has been damaged, but is still intact and able to send messages. Depending on where the injury is located and its severity, these patients may be able to retain some abilities or could even fully recover.
Some spinal cord birth injuries are complete, which means that the cord has been fully compressed or severed and there’s no nerve activity below the area of injury. Since nerve tissue can’t regenerate, the possibility of regaining functionality in these cases can be low.
While it’s impossible to tell whether a baby will suffer a spinal cord injury at birth or not, there are some clear risk factors that make this more likely, such as:
Wondering if your child may have suffered a spinal cord injury at birth can be nerve wracking. These signs could point to “yes” and warrant a call to your baby’s pediatrician right away:
Prenatal blood tests can tell if a baby has spina bifida and is at a higher risk of spinal cord injury during delivery. Once a child is born, x-rays or a CT scan can determine if any bones are broken, while an MRI is used to detect tears, compression, and other problems with delicate nerve tissue. These tests are typically paired with a physical exam and a detailed health history to make a final diagnosis.
However, some doctors may be reluctant to link a baby’s injury with the actions of another physician. They may be ambiguous about what actually caused the harm, or even suggest it was something else entirely. This is why it’s so important to work with a qualified Cleveland, Ohio birth injury lawyer who can help you connect the dots.
How well your baby is expected to recover after a spinal cord injury at birth depends on the location and severity of the injury and your family’s access to critical resources like physical therapy. Children with mild to moderate injuries and who participate in extensive therapy to rebuild motor skills tend to recover better than children with more severe injuries and little to no access to medical care.
A successful lawsuit can help pay for expenses for your injured child that you otherwise would not have incurred, like:
If you suspect your baby may have a spinal cord birth injury, it’s time to act fast. At The Mellino Law Firm, we can help you protect your child’s health and cover your family’s financial needs as you navigate the tough road ahead. Contact us today to schedule your FREE initial case evaluation at (440) 333-3800.
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