Cord blood is an increasingly promising resource in the healthcare industry. However, in the hectic environment of the delivery room, your physician may overlook discussing the option of saving your cord blood with you. As you would educate yourself about procedures you are undergoing, take time to learn the facts about cord blood before your child is delivered so you don’t miss an opportunity to preserve this potentially life-saving resource. July is Cord Blood Awareness month, making it the perfect chance to increase awareness about the issue.

What Is Cord Blood?

Cord blood is found in the umbilical cord and placenta after birth. It is rich in stem cells in their earliest possible form, which means they are more easily adaptable than other stem cell sources. Unlike embryonic stem cells, there is no controversy surrounding the use of stem cells from cord blood. The blood is retrieved after delivery, so there is no risk to either mom or baby in the process.

How Can Cord Blood Be Used?

Doctors are using stem cells from cord blood to treat more than 80 different serious illnesses, including cancers, genetic disorders, and immune system deficiencies. Cord blood is used as part of transplant medicine as it helps to regenerate the immune system. Because of the young stage at which cord blood is removed, the stem cells do not have to be an exact match to the recipient.

What Are the Challenges in Using Cord Blood?

Storage is one obstacle in using cord blood. The blood must be banked in either a public or private cord blood facility. Lack of awareness is perhaps the biggest challenge. According to the Save the Cord Foundation, cord blood from 97 percent of the 4 million births in the U.S. each year is thrown away as medical waste.

If you have a concern about medicalcare you or a loved one received, including birth injuries or medication errors, contact Pegalis & Erickson, LLC to learn about your rights. To schedule a consultation with a medical malpractice lawyer serving Long Island, New York, please call (516) 684-2900.

Stillbirth occurs when a developing baby dies after the 20 ^th week of gestation. If the baby is lost before this point, it is referred to as a miscarriage. Stillbirth is an indescribable tragedy for a family. After it occurs, bereaved parents may need to know why they lost their baby. Unfortunately, the cause of stillbirth cannot always be determined. However, in some cases, it is possible that medical malpractice played a role. Medical malpractice can include mistakes made while the expectant mother was receiving prenatal care.

Infectious Diseases

It is possible for stillbirth to be caused by infectious diseases that affect the mother, baby, or placenta. Infectious diseases are particularly dangerous when they occur prior to the 28 ^th week of gestation. A range of infections can cause the death of a developing baby, including listeriosis, fifth disease, cytomegalovirus, and syphilis. Prenatal care providers are responsible for detecting these possible problems and treating them to protect the health of mother and baby.

Umbilical Cord Problems

Less commonly, a baby may die before birth because of problems with the umbilical cord. The umbilical cord may become twisted or knotted, or it may not be properly affixed to the placenta. This interferes with the supply of oxygen to the baby and can cause stillbirth. Often, a stillbirth that involves umbilical cord problems also involves other complications, such as a prolonged and difficult delivery.

Placenta Problems

Placental abruption is a life-threatening problem that involves the partial or complete separation of the placenta from the uterus before birth. When this occurs, the baby is deprived of the nutrients and oxygen he or she needs. Additionally, placental abruption contributes to the risk of severe bleeding. This complication most often occurs during the third trimester.

The medical negligence lawyers at Pegalis & Erickson, LLC have a longstanding history of securing substantial settlements and jury verdicts on behalf of families affected by birth injuries and stillbirth. If your baby was stillborn, you deserve to know why. Contact our medical malpractice law firm in Long Island, New York at (516) 684-2900 to schedule a consultation.

In each shoulder, there is a large and important bundle of nerves called the brachial plexus. These nerves allow for sensation and movement of the arm and hand. When this network of nerves sustains damage, it is referred to as a brachial plexus injury. This type of injury—even in its milder forms—can take weeks or months to heal. Unfortunately, brachial plexus injuries can occur as a result of birth trauma caused by medical malpractice.

The brachial plexus sustains mild damage when stretched; for example, during a difficult birth procedure. The stretched nerves may heal within a few months; however, the child may have to undergo physical therapy and surgery to strengthen the muscles around the nerves and reestablish arm function. On the other hand, if the nerve root is completely severed from the spinal cord, the child is unlikely to make a full recovery, and will have permanent disabilities, including the loss of sensation and movement in the affected arm.

Certainly, you want the best for your child, and if your baby suffered birth trauma near Long Island, New York, you can turn to the medical malpractice team at Pegalis & Erickson, LLC for guidance. Call us today at (516) 684-2900 to schedule a review of your case.

When a child has been diagnosed with birth injuries, which may have been caused by medical malpractice, surgery may be indicated. It can be very difficult for parents to come to terms with a child so young undergoing surgery, but these procedures may be medically necessary. One type of birth injury that may occur because of medical negligence is a brachial plexus injury. This involves damage to the bundle of nerves located in the shoulder and down the arm. Brachial plexus injuries can result in paralysis, muscle weakness, and loss of sensation in the affected arm. If the child shows no signs of improvement, parents may be advised to consider nerve graft surgery. Nerve graft surgery is usually done at an early age to be effective.

In some cases, surgery may be required for infants who sustain severe head trauma during labor and delivery. Surgery can address hydrocephalus and brain hemorrhaging. The surgeon may need to perform surgical craniotomy drainage, surgical decompression, or shunting.

Medical negligence is truly heartbreaking when it affects the youngest of patients. If your child underwent surgery because of possible medical malpractice by doctors in Long Island, New York, you can contact the law offices of Pegalis & Erickson, LLC at (516) 684-2900.

In April of 2016, you can join others around the world in recognizing Cesarean Awareness Month. This public awareness campaign was launched for the purpose of educating families about cesarean sections, or C-sections. A C-section is a type of surgery that may be performed when it is considered unsafe for a mother to deliver a child vaginally. If a doctor fails to perform a C-section when required, it can result in serious harm. If your doctor delayed in performing a c-section or failed to perform a c-section and your baby has been injured consider talking to a medical malpractice lawyer.

Failure to Perform a C-Section

It is the responsibility of all medical professionals who are assisting in a birth to recognize the signs of distress that indicate that a C-section may be necessary. In some medical negligence cases, doctors are found to be negligent for failing to perform cesarean sections when there were clear indications of fetal distress. If this results in injury to either the mother or the child, there may be found to have been negligent.

Medical Malpractice in Performing C-Sections

If a doctor performs a C-section and causes harm to either the mother or the child through negligence, they may be charged with medical malpractice. Some of the most common forms of negligence include waiting too long to perform the C-section because of failure to monitor the patient, making avoidable mistakes during the procedure, which can damage the mother and her ability to have future children, and failing to provide the fetus with enough oxygen during the procedure, causing brain damage.

The medical negligence lawyers at Pegalis & Erickson, LLC are devoted to helping families find the answers they deserve. If you feel that the obstetrics staff failed to perform a C-section when it was indicated, or you were harmed during the performance of a C-section, please call us today at (516) 684-2900. A medical malpractice attorney in Long Island, New York, will review your case and help you consider your legal options. Attorney Advertising

As a birth injury lawyer knows all too well, birth injuries are devastating events for any parent. When an infant’s injury is the result of a healthcare provider’s medical malpractice, the situation can seem overwhelming. Instead of quietly listening when a doctor claims your baby’s injury was simply fate, contact a birth injury lawyer to find out if you have a claim against your doctor or hospital. Continue reading to learn why the mother’s size, an abnormal birth position, or premature delivery can put a newborn at risk for birth injury.

Maternal Size

While medical malpractice is never the patient’s fault, it helps to be informed about certain risk factors for birth injuries. For example, if the mother has anatomical abnormalities, there is a higher chance that her baby may be injured during the delivery process. One such abnormality is called cephalopelvic disproportion. As a birth injury lawyer will advise you, this condition means the mother’s pelvis is not appropriately shaped for vaginal birth and her physician should discuss plans to perform a c-section.

Abnormal Position

Birth injuries sometimes result because a baby is not in the correct position for delivery. A doctor’s failure to determine the baby’s position prior to labor can result in medical negligence. Your doctor should know which position your baby is in at least a week ahead of the due date. If a baby is breech or another abnormal position, a C-section can prevent birth injuries and complications.

Premature Delivery

Infants born before 37 weeks gestation face a higher risk for birth injuries. If your physician believes you are at risk for premature birth, he or she must recommend certain precautions which can include bed rest until the baby can be safely delivered. Common birth injuries associated with premature delivery include respiratory /lung issues and injury to the brain.

If you or a loved one has an infant whom you believe suffered a birth injury, it is imperative that you speak to a qualified birth injury lawyer near Long Island, New York as soon as possible. Call Pegalis & Erickson at (516) 684-2900. Attorney Advertising

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be a life altering health matter. If it isn’t properly diagnosed and treated because of medical malpractice, patients risk additional complications. It’s important for patients and their families to be able to advocate for their own well-being by learning to recognize the symptoms of a possible TBI. Immediately after the injury is sustained, patients may experience loss of consciousness, dizziness, confusion, disorientation, nausea, and vomiting. Headaches, drowsiness, sensitivity to light and sound, and blurry vision are also possible.

As time passes, patients may notice additional symptoms and complications, particularly if the brain injury was severe. These can include physical symptoms such as seizures, persistent headache, and loss of coordination. They might also include cognitive symptoms such as severe confusion, abnormal behavior, and communication impairment.

Have you or a loved one suffered brain injuries in Long Island, New York as a result of medical malpractice? Contact the personal injury lawyers of Pegalis & Erickson, LLC at (516) 684-2900 and let us know how our malpractice law firm can assist your family.

Birth injuries are sometimes apparent shortly after delivery of the child, while in other cases it may take weeks, months, or even years before impairments are evident. If you suspect that your child’s symptoms or functional impairments may have been caused by birth trauma, you may wish to speak with a birth injury lawyer. An attorney can review your situation, explain your legal rights, and help you consider your legal options.

Providing Postnatal Care

After your child is born, your most pressing concern is his or her postnatal care. If birth injuries are immediately apparent, you should find out as much as you can from the medical staff what the diagnosis is and what it means for your child. Learn about the potential long-term consequences, and explore the types of specialized medical care and therapies your child may need. Some patients may hesitate to seek a second opinion, but you do have the right to take your child to a different doctor or specialist.

Contacting an Attorney

Welcoming a new child into the family is a joyous—and hectic—time. However, it’s best not to delay contacting a birth injury lawyer if you suspect medical malpractice. Deadlines, known as statutes of limitations, apply to medical malpractice claims. Meeting with an attorney to discuss the situation does not automatically obligate you to file a claim. The birth injury lawyer can investigate the situation, review medical records, and consult other professionals if need be to determine whether medical malpractice may have played a role in your child’s birth injuries.

Weighing Your Legal Options

If indeed there is a basis to file a medical malpractice claim, you’ll likely have a lot of questions for your birth injury lawyer. Carefully consider whether going ahead with a claim is in the best interests of your family. Children who have birth injuries may be permanently disabled and require extensive care for their lifetime. If you do file a claim, a jury award or settlement could allow you to meet your child’s needs.

In the aftermath of birth trauma, it can be difficult to find the answers your family deserves. The medical malpractice team at Pegalis & Erickson, LLC is dedicated to helping families uncover the truth about their children’s injuries. You can call our malpractice law firm in Long Island, New York at (516) 684-2900 to arrange for effective legal advocacy services.

Oxygen deprivation during birth can lead to very serious health problems for the infant. Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is the medical term for oxygen deficiencies of the brain. Sometimes, it is the result of medical malpractice. If oxygen to the brain is not restored promptly, brain tissue can be permanently damaged and the infant may be diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

A cerebral palsy lawyer can represent families affected by HIE caused by medical malpractice. The affected children may experience severe impairments, including intellectual disabilities, impaired motor function, swallowing disorders, and speech delays. The severity of these impairments can vary widely. For example, some children may be unable to walk unaided, while others may only have mild muscle spasticity.

The medical negligence lawyers of Pegalis & Erickson, LLC have a long history of successfully litigating cases involving birth injuries in Long Island, New York. If your child was diagnosed with birth trauma, call us at (516) 684-2900 and let us know how we can help your family.

Every day, countless families eagerly await the birth of a child. But for some families, a child’s birth may also mean coping with serious birth injuries. Birth injuries can sometimes be the result of medical malpractice, such as when a medically indicated C-section is delayed causing permanent brain damage due to oxygen deprivation. If your child was diagnosed with birth injuries, you should know that you do have legal rights. Even if you aren’t sure whether your child’s diagnosis was the result of medical malpractice, you can contact a personal injury attorney for more information.

Obtaining Your Medical Records

Under the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), you have the right to obtain a copy of your medical records. With a few exceptions, healthcare providers are required to provide copies of medical records upon request within 30 days. If the medical records are not available within 30 days (or sooner, depending on state law), the provider must give a reason for the delay. If you believe your right to access your medical records is being interfered with, a medical malpractice lawyer can file a HIPAA Privacy Rule Complaint.

Getting a Second Opinion

It’s every patient’s right to obtain a second opinion. If your child was injured during birth, you can take him or her to a different pediatrician or another health care specialist. If you already have the medical records by this point, it’s a good idea to bring them with you to have the other doctor assess them.

Consulting a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Another legal right patients have is the right to consult a medical malpractice attorney. You can schedule an initial consultation to have your case reviewed, even if you aren’t sure whether medical negligence played a role in your child’s injuries. Scheduling a consultation does not obligate you to file a claim; however, you can explore your options for legal recourse.

In the wake of a serious diagnosis, it can be difficult for families to know which steps to take next. At Pegalis & Erickson, LLC, our birth injury lawyer in Long Island, New York can help families understand their legal rights and options. Families of children diagnosed with birth injuries are invited to call us at (516) 684-2900 to schedule a case review.