Medical Malpractice Cleveland-Lorain-Elyria, OH Blog

Trained translators decrease emergency-room risks, study finds

2012-05-16T13:45:39Z

If you are being treated at an emergency room, it pays to have the benefit of a professional interpreter. This is the claim made by a recent study on the effectiveness of professionally-trained language translators compared to having no translation services or an ad-hoc interpreter such as a family member.

The study emphasizes how important it is for hospitals to use professional interpreters when appropriate, since communication errors can lead to risks in many circumstances, such as during delivery to prevent birth injuries. The study, published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine, found that mistakes with potential clinical consequences were about two times more likely when there was no interpreter present or when the translator was an amateur, according to Fox News.

]]> Researchers looked at 57 primarily Spanish-speaking families at two ERs; with a trained interpreter, only 12 percent of translation mistakes resulted in potential health risks. In contrast, 20-22 percent of such errors posed health risks with an amateur translator present, such as a family member or untrained bilingual hospital staff member.

If you speak a language other than English, having the services of a professional translator in the hospital can help you feel at ease by allowing you to speak your first language. In addition, previous studies have shown that professional translation services may improve patient heath care and cut costs by avoiding unnecessary tests, according to Fox News.

Source: Fox News, "Interpreters in ER may limit medical errors, study suggests," April 18, 2012.

Study finds medical device could prevent premature birth

2012-05-10T13:45:59Z

Pessaries, which are small medical devices made of silicon, have been used for hundreds of years, yet they may now be carving out a new niche. According to a study recently published in the medical journal The Lancet, placing a pessary around the neck of the cervix of a pregnant woman with a high risk of premature birth might delay labor. Pessaries are currently used to treat stress incontinence and prevent the uterus from prolapsing, or falling out, into the vagina.

According to The New York Times, premature babies, even if they can be saved, are at risk of developing blindness, retardation, lung problems and cerebral palsy. By delaying labor, the pessary could help prevent these complications and disorders, which can also be caused medical malpractice. The study's use of the device was intended to delay labor until it was safer for the mother and baby, the Times reported.

]]> The study's authors are not sure exactly how pessaries delay labor. The journal only stated that the study's findings show that there is a possibility that the load-bearing capacities of pelvic organs could have some importance in beginning the labor process.

What was certain was a much lower percentage of premature births resulting from the high-risk expecting mothers' use of pessaries: 27 percent of women who did not use pessaries had premature deliveries, as opposed to only six percent of those mothers who used the device.

Source: The New York Times, "Simple Device Helps Delay Birth to Lift Babies' Chances of Survival," Donald G. McNeil, Jr., April 30, 2012.

Nanomedicine study shows potential for treating cerebral palsy

2012-05-02T13:45:01Z

Scientists have yet to discover a cure for cerebral palsy, which can result from brain damage caused by medical malpractice at birth. Research recently published in Science Translational Medicine, however, could be a step in the direction of an eventual cure for this neurological disorder.

The study treated rabbits with anti-inflammatory drugs attached to miniscule nanoparticles, according to Bloomberg BusinessWeek. The drugs used in the study, called dendrimers, are typically used for treating Tylenol poisoning, but in the study they reduced brain cell inflammation that can lead to cerebral palsy.

]]> The nanomedicine used in the study is not yet approved for testing on humans, but it shows promise for treating humans in the future, the study claims. Like human babies, but unlike most other mammals, rabbits' brains keep developing after they are born.

Cerebral palsy is caused by an abnormality in an infant's brain that can occur either in the womb or soon after birth. When a birth injury occurs, many scenarios for the child's future are possible. Certain types of brain injuries can lead to cerebral palsy, which can have the following effects:

Stiff muscles
Uncontrollable movements
Poor balance and coordination

According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately four out of every 1,000 infants are diagnosed with cerebral palsy, some due to a birth injury caused by a doctor's medical malpractice. Generally, cerebral palsy does not get diagnosed until the infant is around 18 months.

Source: Bloomberg BusinessWeek, "Novel Nanomedicine Therapy Treats Cerebral Palsy in Study," Ryan Flinn, April 18, 2012.

Ohio Birth Injury: When Developmental Milestones Aren't Met

2012-04-30T16:14:26Z

Complications during delivery may be passed off as normal when an underlying medical injury may have occurred. Checking your infant's developmental milestones can be key in assessing whether a birth injury has affected your infant's physical health. If medical negligence can be proven, an Ohio birth injury attorney can help you seek the compensation and justice you deserve.

Is My Child Developing Normally?

There are a few early warning signs you can look for in your infant to know if he or she is developing normally.

At the end of the first month, babies should be able to:

· make tight fists;

· raise hands near face;

· move head from side to side while on their stomach;

· be able to concentrate on objects 8 to 12 inches away; and

· hear well.

At the end of the third month, babies should be able to:

· open and shut hands;

· raise hands to mouth;

· hold and shake hand toys;

· lift their head and chest when on their stomach;

· stretch legs out and kick;

· push down on legs when on a firm surface;

· follow a moving object with eyes;

· begin using hands and eyes in coordination; and

· make sounds.

At the end of the seventh month, babies should be able to:

· reach with hands;

· move objects from hand to hand;

· roll over;

· sit up;

· express joy and displeasure vocally; and

· respond to their name.

Contacting an Ohio Birth Injury Lawyer

A child unable to meet developmental milestones may be suffering from a birth injury. Attorneys at The Becker Law Firm can provide you with a free case evaluation. Give us a call at 1-877-863-6219.

Ohio Birth Injury Claims: 2 Common Categories Involving Medical Negligence

2012-04-29T16:16:40Z

If you had complications during your labor or delivery, and you know or suspect that your child is not behaving or developing normally, he or she may have experienced a birth injury. Ohio attorneys who specialize in birth injury settlements often advise parents to have their children medically assessed as soon as suspicions arise because the statute of limitations applies in filing a medical malpractice claim.

2 Common Categories of Birth Injury Involving Medical Negligence

Not every birth injury case is the result of medical negligence; however, there are 2 common categories most cases involving medical negligence fall under, which include:

· Failure to assess or respond correctly - A doctor is expected to provide proper medical care during pregnancy and delivery. A medical malpractice claim may be warranted if a medical issue, such as hypertension in the mother or the size of the baby, is not diagnosed and treated correctly.

· Guidance and supervision of prescription drugs - If a mother is given a prescription drug, she and the baby should be monitored carefully. Sometimes the baby may not tolerate the drug given and cause more problems.

When It's Time to Contact an Ohio Birth Injury Attorney

A birth injury due to medical negligence may entitle you to compensation. Birth injury attorneys at The Becker Law Firm can provide you with information and a free case evaluation. Contact us at 1-877-863-6219.

Birth Injury in Ohio: Attorney Discusses Medical Negligence as a Factor

2012-04-26T16:06:27Z

A birth injury can be devastating to a family, especially when your perfectly healthy baby received an injury during delivery at the hands of trusted medical personnel. Oftentimes, parents are not even aware that the medical issue their infant now is suffering from was caused by their healthcare provider. An Ohio birth injury attorney may be able to help determine this.

Birth Injury Defined

Many people believe that any injuries a newborn might sustain only occur during the actual birth and must be quite evident; however, signs that something is physically wrong with the child may not be immediate or obvious. It could take days, weeks or even months for a parent to recognize that his or her child is not developing normally. The medical staff's actions or inactions may cause an injury to the baby or even the mother, for which compensation possibly may be sought.

Medical Negligence Leading to Birth Injuries

Doctors, nurses or other hospital employees sometimes may not perform their duties responsibly. Examples in which medical negligence may have existed include:

· A child who has suffered a brain injury due to a lack of oxygen, and a timely C-section was not performed, labor and delivery was prolonged or there was a severe reduction in the mother or fetus's blood pressure.

· A child with paralysis of the shoulders, arms or hands because of improper delivery, lack of training in applying shoulder dystocia techniques, not performing a C-section when the situation required it or failing to determine in advance that the fetus was too big for the birth canal.

Early warning signs, such as bruising, head swelling or a difficult delivery, may be an indication that your infant is dealing with an injury. If you are unsure whether or not your child has suffered from an injury due to medical negligence, you may want to consult an attorney who can assess the details of your case.

It may be hard to know if a birth injury is the cause of your child's current medical issues. What may have seemed to be just a difficult delivery or superficial bruise actually may have had more dire consequences to your child's physical well-being. Medical negligence during your pregnancy and delivery could have played a role, and an attorney may be able to help.

Examples of Birth Injuries

Babies whose shoulders were hard to deliver could have suffered an injury to the nerves associated with their shoulders, arms or hands. An injury to these nerves, known as the brachial plexus, can result in Erb's palsy or Klumpke's palsy. These conditions can cause paralysis of the upper body limbs. The paralysis may resolve itself over a period of time or may require physical therapy and even surgery to correct the nerve damage. In extremely severe cases, a baby may lose oxygen, which can cause brain damage and/or lead to death.

If your newborn's muscle tone appears to be too loose or too stiff, it could be a sign of cerebral palsy. Another sign may be uncontrolled reflexes. In older children, cerebral palsy may be displayed as a lack of muscle coordination. This lifelong disability may be a result of damage to the part of the brain that controls muscles or nerves. Cerebral palsy has been linked to birth injuries, primarily from trauma to the head during labor and delivery or oxygen deprivation.

Jaundice is another condition that could be caused by medical negligence. When this occurs, your baby may develop a yellowish-looking tint to their skin, mucus or eyes. This may be an indication of serious health problems in the liver, gallbladder or pancreas.

When It's Time to Contact an Ohio Birth Injury Attorney

If you think your child may have been injured due to medical negligence, you may be entitled to compensation through a claim. Contact The Becker Law Firm for more information and a free case evaluation by calling 1-877-863-6219.

How Different Types of Cerebral Palsy Impact Children

2012-04-17T19:32:37Z

Cerebral palsy is a broad term that covers 3 major types of the disease, all of which can impact a child differently. In general this condition is an impairment of movement and motor skills. The severity will depend on which areas of the brain have been damaged.

When you believe that your child's condition is the result of medical negligence, you could qualify to pursue a claim against the liable healthcare provider. To learn what your options are and who may be held responsible, it would be best to speak with a birth injury lawyer as soon as possible.

]]> Types of Cerebral Palsy

The most common type of cerebral palsy is spastic, which includes the following forms:

spastic hemiplegia;
spastic quadriplegia; and
spastic diplegia.

With spastic hemiplegia, just one side of the child's body is affected. If the child's left side of the brain was injured, the opposite side will be impacted. This means impaired muscle tone and movement of the right arm and leg.

Spastic quadriplegia affects both arms and legs. The degree of impairment with muscle tone and movement will vary. Children may experience jerking or tremors of the limbs and many times they will be unable to walk.

Spastic diplegia generally affects just the legs. Although children may be able to walk, it can be difficult because of tightness in their legs. Children with this form of spastic cerebral palsy usually have normal communication skills and intelligence.

Another type that affects around 30 percent of children is dyskinetic or athetoid cerebral palsy. Muscle tone is mixed and it can manifest as low, high or rigid. Movement is involuntary and slow. It can affect children's hands, feet, arms or legs.

The third type is ataxic cerebral palsy. This is the least common and most severe type that children develop. Muscle tone is low and children will suffer from tremors. Motor skills are significantly impaired and imbalance can make walking impossible. There may also be hearing and visual problems.

Causes of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy has a few causes but one of them is brain damage. Although the results of this condition impact a child's muscle tone and movement, it is damage to the brain that actually leads to this condition.

Brain damage can occur at birth as a result of medical negligence. A failure to provide adequate oxygen or recognizing the need to perform an emergency caesarean section is just a couple of examples of negligence.

When an OB/GYN or any other healthcare professional fails to take appropriate measures to prevent injury to a child, they may be held liable. To learn what your rights are and if you have a legitimate claim worth pursuing, you should consult with a birth injury lawyer in Cleveland.

You could be eligible to receive compensation that addresses your child's current medical expenses but future ones as well. This may include special services required later on, assistive devices (such as a wheelchair), doctor visits and other medical care related to your child's birth injury.

Contacting a Cleveland Birth Injury Lawyer

You place the health and safety of your new baby in the hands of your doctors believing you'll have a healthy new addition to your family. When a medical professional's negligence results in the serious injury, permanent disability or death of the infant or the birth mother, the impact on your family can be devastating.

The knowledgeable team of Cleveland medical negligence attorneys at The Becker Law Firm serves residents of the Cleveland and Elyria, Ohio, areas when they have been the victims of birth injury, catastrophic injury and wrongful death as the result of medical malpractice. To arrange for a no-cost consultation, home or hospital visit, contact us today - 877-863-6219 or 440-372-0810.

Birth Injury Leading to an Ectopic Pregnancy

2012-04-12T19:27:28Z

An ectopic pregnancy is one that takes place outside the uterus. This is most times fatal for the baby, who is unable to develop. To learn if you have the right to pursue a claim against a physician or another medical professional for what you believe is medical negligence, contact a birth injury lawyer in Cuyahoga County.

]]> Causes of an Ectopic Pregnancy

In rare circumstances the ectopic pregnancy will occur in the abdomen, cervix or ovary. But most of the time it happens in one of the tubes. The egg passes into the fallopian tube (uterus).

The movement of the fertilized egg is either slowed or blocked, preventing it from reaching the uterus. Scarring of the tube can be one cause. This can be the result of surgery on the fallopian tubes, a previous ectopic pregnancy or if there was an infection in the fallopian tubes.

An ectopic pregnancy can also be caused by medical conditions in the mother, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and endometriosis. Scarring in the pelvic area as a result of surgery could also lead to an ectopic pregnancy.

There are risk factors that may increase the chance of a woman having an ectopic pregnancy, such as in vitro fertilization, multiple sexual partners and those over the age of 35.

Women who have had their tubes tied, in order to avoid pregnancy, can also experience an ectopic pregnancy. Or if they decide to have this procedure reversed, in order to become pregnant, they could be at risk.

Symptoms of an Ectopic Pregnancy

Some of the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy may include:

pain in pelvic area/lower abdomen;
vaginal bleeding (other than menstrual cycle);
nausea;
amenorrhea (unexpected absence of menstrual cycle);
cramping;
lower back pain; and
tenderness in the breasts.

If the pregnancy progresses without addressing initial symptoms, they can become worse. The woman may feel faint or end up fainting, experience severe pain in the lower abdomen, feel intense pressure in the rectum or have very low blood pressure.

Tests can be done to detect an ectopic pregnancy. It's important to diagnose this condition so that treatment can begin immediately.

Initial treatment requires removing the cell in order to save the mother's life. If the cell were to rupture, the patient may go into shock and require treatment including fluids through an IV, oxygen, elevating the patient's legs and administering a blood transfusion. Surgery will be necessary to stop blood loss and repair any tissue that has been damaged.

If you have been the victim of medical negligence, you could be entitled to compensation that addresses your financial, physical and emotional losses. To better understand your rights and the options you may have available, contact a birth injury lawyer in Cuyahoga County as soon as possible.

You could recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish and more. Discussing your case with a lawyer is the best way to fully understand what your next step should be.

Contacting a Cuyahoga County Birth Injury Lawyer

The knowledgeable team of Cuyahoga County attorneys at The Becker Law Firm serves residents of the Cleveland and Elyria, Ohio, areas when they have been the victims of birth injury, catastrophic injury and wrongful death as the result of medical malpractice. To arrange for a no-cost consultation, home or hospital visit, contact us today - 877-863-6219 or 440-372-0810.

Treatment for an Ectopic Pregnancy

2012-04-10T18:48:50Z

If you were diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy and discovered that it was detected later than it should have been or if a doctor fails to properly treat it, this may be a case of medical negligence. When it leads to serious injuries, you could be entitled to file a claim against the doctor. Contact an Ohio injury lawyer to learn what options may be available.

]]> Treatment of an ectopic pregnancy is important before it ruptures. Once it does, it could lead to a significant loss of blood.

The type of treatment will depend on several factors, including the woman's health condition and at what point the ectopic pregnancy was discovered. When it is found early enough, medication or surgery may be used to end the pregnancy.

Medication may be the less invasive measure; however it does come with the risk of side effects. Surgery is almost always necessary if there is bleeding or other severe symptoms. If the pregnancy does rupture, emergency surgery will be required.

When a severe health condition, such as ectopic pregnancy, is not carefully examined, and therefore not appropriately treated, this can result in a case of medical negligence. You should seek legal counsel to determine if have a valid claim that is worth pursuing.

Got a medical negligence case in Cleveland? Call an Ohio Injury Lawyer

The team of injury lawyers at The Becker Law Firm serves residents of the Cleveland and Elyria, Ohio areas when they have been the victims of birth injury, catastrophic injury and wrongful death as the result of medical malpractice. To arrange for a no-cost consultation, home or hospital visit, contact us today - 877-863-6219 or 440-372-0810.

Medical Negligence: Failure to Recognize Risks of Ectopic Pregnancy

2012-04-07T18:42:25Z

Proving medical negligence stemming from a pregnancy can be challenging; however, there are ways to hole the doctor or medical staff liable. It is best to speak with an Ohio injury lawyer who has experience and resources to handle these types of claims.

When it comes to an ectopic pregnancy you may have a case of medical negligence if the doctor failed to detect the condition. There are risk factors that can increase the chance of this circumstance, which may help a doctor in diagnosing. If those risk factors are ignored or additional tests are not performed, they may be held liable.

]]> Patients who are high risk for ectopic pregnancy should be closely monitored by a doctor. A failure to do so could also be a case of medical negligence.

Furthermore, if the condition is diagnosed but not immediately treated leading to a rupture, this may give you cause for filing a claim. Even if the rupture could not be prevented, a failure to properly treat with surgery may also be considered medical negligence.

To better understand your rights and to learn if you have a case of medical negligence related to your ectopic pregnancy, it would be best to seek legal counsel.

Got a medical negligence case in Cleveland? Call an Ohio Injury Lawyer

The team of injury lawyers at The Becker Law Firm serves residents of the Cleveland and Elyria areas when they have been the victims of birth injury, catastrophic injury and wrongful death as the result of medical malpractice. To arrange for a no-cost consultation, home or hospital visit, contact us today - 877-863-6219 or 440-372-0810.

4 Tips on Finding a Good Pain Management Clinic

2012-04-05T18:35:53Z

Pain management is becoming a huge concern in this country, with so many incidences of accidental overdoses and other problems continuing to rise. A medical malpractice attorney may be able to help if you believe that you or someone you love was the victim of negligence on behalf of a doctor or any other medical professional.

If you don't find the right kind of pain clinic, you are at risk of receiving improper care. You could face potential problems with your medication, including dangerous interactions or overdosing.

]]> Here are 4 tips to find a good pain clinic. Look for:

an array of treatment and diagnostic facilities;
adequate staff and space;
communication among all of the specialists; and
a variety of specialized professionals.

No matter who works at the clinic, they need to be properly trained, educated and knowledgeable. It could make a significant difference in the type of treatment and course of action taken.

Finding the right pain management clinic is important when you are dealing with chronic or debilitating pain. If you believe that a physician acted in a negligent manner, seek help from a Cleveland, Ohio medical malpractice attorney.

Contacting a Cleveland, Ohio Medical Malpractice Attorney

The team of medical malpractice attorneys at The Becker Law Firm serves residents of the Cleveland and Elyria, Ohio areas when they have been the victims of birth injury, catastrophic injury and wrongful death as the result of medical malpractice. To arrange for a no-cost consultation, home or hospital visit, contact us today - 1-877-863-6219 or 1-440-372-0810.

Ectopic Pregnancy: How Medical Negligence May be Linked

2012-04-04T18:07:13Z

An ectopic pregnancy occurs outside the uterus and could potentially become problematic for the mother and baby. If there is a failure to detect that this may or has occurred, and it isn't properly treated, you may have a case of medical negligence.

When you believe that you have become the victim of this, you should consult with a birth injury lawyer who has the ability to take the time to carefully evaluate the details of your case and has the knowledge of knowing what steps to take next.

]]> Common Causes of an Ectopic Pregnancy

This type of pregnancy can occur in the cervix or ovaries, however most times it happens in the fallopian tube. When it occurs in the fallopian tube, it could also be the result of the fertilized egg being slowed or blocked. A variety of factors can lead to blockages of this nature. This can become a fatal concern for the fetus, as well as the mother.

There are a variety of causes but they usually stem from scarring. Some of the things that can lead to scarring include having history of this occurrence, infections or surgery in the fallopian tube, and endometriosis. Pelvic inflammatory disease has also been noted to possibly play a role as roughly 50% of women stricken with this type of pregnancy has had this illness.

Other causes include:

Miscarriage;
polycystic ovarian syndrome;
ovarian cysts; and
other fertility issues that women may deal with.

Knowing that these risk factors are in place may be able to help a doctor detect this serious condition.

Signs and Symptoms of an Ectopic Pregnancy

Based on the following signs and symptoms experience by the woman, along with a pelvic exam and other tests, a doctor can be able to detect the condition:

lower abdomen/pelvic area pain;
irregular vaginal bleeding;
nausea;
vomiting;
menstrual cycle suddenly stops;
mild cramping;
lower back pain; and
breast tenderness.

However once the pregnancy ruptures, symptoms often worsen causing sudden, severe pain in the lower abdomen, intense pressure in the rectum, and fainting or feeling faint.

A failure to recognize these dire circumstances could lead to a doctor being held legally liable. If it is untreated, it could lead to serious complications such as a significant drop in blood pressure and internal bleeding.

Diagnosing an Ectopic Pregnancy

In addition to noting the symptoms and doing a pelvic exam, there are other tests that a doctor may run which can help determining a diagnosis. When a thorough evaluation is not performed, signs may be overlooked leading to serious, if not fatal, injury.

Some of the testing that may help diagnosis includes ultrasound, pregnancy test, HCG blood test, dilatation and curettage, laparotomy, laparoscopy, amongst others. It is best to detect this condition before it reaches the point of rupturing. If breakage does happen, immediate medical immediate treatment will be necessary.

When you are pregnant and are experience complications associated with this circumstance, your doctor should review your medical history and take a closer look at your medical health. Note, taking these steps can lead to more and worsening conditions; most significantly, this condition can be fatal if it is not treated.

When it is Time to Pursue a Claim

In order to determine if you can hold your doctor or another healthcare provider liable for your injuries, you should first seek legal counsel who can determine if you have a viable case.

If it can be proven that you or your baby suffered serious injuries caused by this condition that should have been diagnosed and was not, or if there was a failure to properly treat it, compensation could be available. You may be entitled to damages that address your physical and emotional injuries. Do not delay as you may have a limited time in which to pursue a claim.

Hurt by medical negligence in Cleveland? Call an Ohio Injury Lawyer

Proving Failure to Diagnose Cervical Cancer with Medical Malpractice Attorney

2012-03-15T21:07:01Z

With cervical cancer being one of the leading causes of death in women, a failure to diagnose could lead to a devastating outcome. Although doctors are not perfect, and they do make mistakes, you may have a case against your doctor if it can be shown there was negligence. To learn what legal options may be available in Ohio, contact an Elyria medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible.

]]> Understanding the Doctor's Duty of Care

When you have established a relationship with a doctor; that is, you are being treated by a physician, he or she is legally obligated to provide a duty of care to you as the patient. It is expected that your doctor will act in a safe, reasonable manner.

If that duty of care is breached, the doctor potentially could be held liable for the resulting injuries. A breach in a doctor's duty of care may include a failure to recognize or acknowledge common symptoms of a disease, a failure to order diagnostic tests and misinterpreting test results.

However, to pursue a claim against your doctor in Ohio, you will also need to prove that as a direct result of a breach in the duty of care to you, you were seriously or fatally injured. A failure to diagnose cervical cancer could lead to it being difficult, if not impossible, to treat. That's why it's imperative to find a medical malpractice attorney who has past experience with these types of cases.

Diagnosing Cervical Cancer

There are symptoms a patient may experience that should cause a doctor to investigate further. When those symptoms are missed, or a doctor fails to order the right tests, the doctor may be held accountable.

Symptoms of cervical cancer may include

blood in vaginal discharge;
abnormal bleeding;
discomfort in pelvis area;
missed periods; and
pain/bleeding during sexual intercourse.

When these symptoms are present, diagnostic tests should be run. Although cervical cancer can be detected through regular Pap smears, further testing likely is necessary. Cervical cancer may be diagnosed through a biopsy, in which tissue from the cervix is removed and tested. A colposcopy, where the cervix is analyzed through a scope, can also help detect cancer.

You may wonder what your legal rights are if you or someone you love has been the victim of a failure to diagnose, whether it occurred at Cleveland Clinic or Care Alliance Health Center. You could be entitled to compensation that can address your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, wrongful death, and more.

By contacting an attorney in Ohio, you can learn what options may be pursued and the types of damages you may be eligible to seek. You should speak immediately with an Elyria medical malpractice attorney.

An attorney can assist you with the paperwork and forms that must be completed when you have a failure to diagnose a case in Elyria. He or she may be able to help with evidence collection that demonstrates both medical negligence and the impact your injuries have had, along with other aspects of the claims process.

When a Hospital-Related Infection Leads to a MRSA Diagnosis

2012-03-10T22:04:47Z

While it isn't uncommon to develop an infection from a hospital, it is many times preventable. If you or a loved one developed a hospital-related infection and suffered serious illness or injuries, contact an Ohio medical malpractice lawyer today.

]]> One common type of infection that can be acquired in a hospital is MRSA, which stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. This infection can be found in different areas of the body and is sometimes resistant to antibiotics, making it difficult to treat.

MRSA can develop around surgical sites, and as a result of medical devices such as implanted feeding tubes or catheters. It is most prevalent for those patients who are in ICU. When a hospital's conditions are not clean and sanitary, it raises the risk that a patient will develop MRSA.

The symptoms will depend on the source of the infection. It is usually found in the skin and can cause boils or sores. However, it can become much more serious and enter the patient's lungs, urinary tract or bloodstream.

Unsanitary hospital conditions can lead to serious health problems. If you were the victim of hospital negligence, contact an Ohio medical malpractice lawyer to learn what your rights are.

Contacting an Ohio Medical Malpractice Lawyer

The team of medical malpractice attorneys at The Becker Law Firm serves residents of the Cleveland and Elyria, Ohio, areas when they have been the victims of birth injury, catastrophic injury and wrongful death as the result of medical malpractice. To arrange for a no-cost consultation, home or hospital visit, contact us today - 1-877-863-6219 or 1-440-372-0810.

Forceps Delivery Causing Injury to Infants

2012-03-06T15:56:17Z

During some births, medical professionals choose to use forceps to help deliver babies. This is called "assisted delivery." A doctor may use forceps when the baby doesn't face the correct direction or doesn't naturally progress down the birth canal.

Forceps use is typically safe and can even save a baby's life by preventing oxygen deprivation; however, sometimes the force involved in using forceps causes injury to the infant. While many of these injuries are minor, others can cause lifelong damage. If your child was injured by the use of forceps during childbirth, you may be able to hold the medical professional and/or hospital accountable for their negligence through an Ohio birth injury lawsuit.

]]> Common birth injuries caused by forceps delivery include bruising, tissue damage, swelling and bone fractures. Other possible and more serious injuries include:

Subaponeurotic hemorrhage (the blood accumulates beneath the aponeurosis of the skull, requiring a blood transfusion)
Serious head injuries and infection
Brain damage
Cranial nerve injuries (possibly leading to facial asymmetry)
Spinal cord injuries
Shoulder dystocia / Erb's Palsy / brachial plexus injury
Cerebral palsy

To win a lawsuit for birth injury caused by forceps use, you must show that the medical professional's negligence caused the birth injury. Determining whether the medical professional used the forceps negligently can be difficult. Did he or she use the correct forceps (there are various kinds)? Did the medical professional follow the standard of care required of him or her when using the forceps? Would the infant have avoided the injury if the medical professional had not acted negligently?

These are all questions that an experienced Ohio birth injury lawyer can help you answer.

Source: http://www.everydayhealth.com/health-center/childbirth-forceps-delivery-and-vacuum-extraction.aspx