Maryland Spinal Cord Injuries Lawyers
The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves responsible for carrying messages from the brain to the rest of the body. A spinal cord injury disrupts the connection of these nerves. An injury can range in severity from mild bruising to complete tears. If your baby has been affected, contact the Maryland spinal cord injury lawyers at Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman for legal advice.
While only 5% of spinal cord injuries affect children, these injuries can cause significant damages. Even a seemingly minor injury can cause temporary or permanent changes to muscle function and sensation.
Spinal cord injuries often occur at birth when doctors use force to remove the baby from the birth canal. The doctor may strain a child’s neck by pulling or twisting too hard. Using birth tools incorrectly can also cause spinal cord injuries.
When a baby suffers a spinal cord injury during birth, it is often due to medical malpractice. The baby may be unable to breathe or experience other distress, and in order to rush the delivery, the doctor may pull and twist the baby, causing spinal cord injuries. As a result, a baby may experience mobility issues, loss of reflexes, breathing issues, and even paralysis of the limbs.
Spinal Cord Injury Effects
A spinal cord injury can occur anywhere along the spine. However, as many as 70% of cases affect the neck. These are known as cervical injuries, they can result in quadriplegia, which refers to a loss of control over the arms, legs, and torso. Damage to the lower part of the spinal cord may only affect the child’s legs, while damage at the top of the spinal cord can be fatal.
A spinal cord injury can cause a baby to show signs of paralysis. Some other symptoms and effects include loss of muscle function in the arms and legs, floppiness when the baby is picked up, spasms, breathing problems, and changes in bowel and bladder function. Treatment may require medication and surgery, as well as ongoing rehabilitation.
Spina Bifida
Not all spinal cord injuries are caused by medical malpractice. There is one situation in which it is caused by a birth defect: spina bifida. Spina bifida is a neural tube defect that affects the spine.
Spina bifida can happen anywhere along the spine. When the neural tube doesn’t close all the way, the backbone that protects the spinal cord doesn’t form and close properly. This usually causes damage to the spinal cord and nerves. It can also cause mild to severe physical and intellectual disabilities.
Contact Us Today
Spinal cord injuries can be severe and even fatal for a baby. Your baby will require significant treatment and rehabilitation, which can be costly.
The personal injury lawyers at Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman can help you hold the doctor liable for your baby’s injuries. Get the compensation you need for medical expenses and other damages. To schedule a free consultation, call (410) 567-0800.
