Cerebral palsy (CP) is a motor disorder characterized by unusual or involuntary movements. Many people with cerebral palsy also have cognitive impairments and developmental delays (1). CP is the most common childhood motor disorder. CP is caused by damage to the motor control centers of the brain. This damage can occur before birth, during birth,…
We are pleased to announce that one of our partners, Rebecca Walsh, is now a co-editor of the Birth Trauma Litigation Group (BTLG) Newsletter. The BTLG is a subgroup of the American Association for Justice (AAJ), and was formed in 1989. Members are respected lawyers in the field of birth trauma litigation. The BTLG runs…
Obstetric fistula is a serious health issue that disproportionately affects young women in developing countries. In this piece, we will discuss the medical, social, and emotional consequences of obstetric fistula, as well as what can be done to prevent and treat it. But first, a bit of background information: What is obstetric fistula? An obstetric…
What is a bulging fontanelle? The human skull is made of many bones, which join together to protect the brain. The lines at which they fuse are called sutures. When a baby is born, these sutures are not yet all firmly joined together. This allows the head to be a bit more flexible as it…
A recent Detroit Free Press article spoke of the horrifyingly high infant mortality rate among babies born in Detroit. According to the piece, 13 out of every 1,000 babies born in Detroit die before their first birthday. Fortunately, this rate has dropped since the founding of one Detroit organization called SisterFriends Detroit. SisterFriends Detroit is…
Vacuum extractors and forceps are both tools that can be used to assist with a vaginal birth. In developed countries, vacuum extractors have become much more commonly used than forceps, and in certain situations are the safer choice. However, this tool also involves serious risks. For example, some studies have found an association between the…
Every year, Best Lawyers honors a single attorney in a specific practice area and location with their “Lawyer of the Year” award. The recipient is selected by his or her peers. We are pleased to announce that this year, ABC Law Centers president Jesse Reiter won Lawyer of the Year for medical malpractice plaintiff’s attorneys…
In the United States and Canada, C-section delivery has become more common over the past few decades. In contrast, there has been a decline in operative vaginal deliveries (those which involve tools such as forceps or vacuum extractors). Because of this inverse relationship, some have suggested that performing more operative deliveries could be a good…
It is well known that returning soldiers often develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition marked by flashbacks to a trauma, hyperalertness, avoidance of situations that trigger upsetting memories, and negative emotions such as guilt or shame. However, fewer people know that parents commonly experience similar symptoms after their babies stay in the neonatal intensive…
Cerebral palsy is a diagnosis that varies in type and severity of neurodevelopmental outcomes. People with cerebral palsy have impaired motor function, and in some cases also have cognitive disabilities. Cerebral palsy can be caused by environmental and/or genetic factors. Environmental causes of cerebral palsy Cerebral palsy can often be attributed to something that goes…
