A ritual is performed by Gliding Stars students each time they go on the ice. Each skater is escorted by one or two volunteers as they form a straight line in the center of the rink. Some can stand independently; some require walkers or arm braces. When the skating instructor gives the cue, they chant: “Can we skate? Yes we can!”

This spirit is shared by all gliding student stars, including Bryson Sparrin, a 6-year-old boy with cerebral palsy. Getting on the ice and skating, Bryson is able to feel like other boys his age. Using a sliding walker created out of plastic pipes, he is pushed along by his older sister, smiling the entire time.

Skating provides multiple benefits of disabled children. Physically, it helps strengthen muscles and improve stability. Children who are otherwise confined to wheelchairs or have limited ability to walk get a sense of freedom they could not otherwise achieve. Emotionally, they get to make friends through the program, boosting their self-esteem.

Children like Bryson get a lot out of the Gliding Stars program. We hope it continues to expand, offering its services to more children throughout the country.

Cappolino Dodd Krebs, LLP – cerebral palsy attorneys

Mother-to-be Michal Friedman was scheduled for surgery in a Manhattan hospital for November 28, but when doctors found her blood pressure was elevated in her November 27 pre-op appointment, they rescheduled her for a same-day surgery.

Doctors performed a C-section on Friedman. After the surgery, she hemorrhaged. As her husband watched, her condition steadily declined, prompting doctors to request he leave the room. At 9:30 p.m., doctors informed him of the death of his wife.

C-sections have become so common that many people do not consider that the procedure is a surgical one, and with all surgeries, there are risks.

In C-sections, the most common cause of death is bleeding. It can be fast and severe and by the time doctors attempt to address it, it can be too late.

The procedure also comes with risk of bladder injury, infection, bowel injuries and blood clots.

Perhaps Frieman’s C-section prevented potential brain injuries or other birth defects in her newborn twins. It is heartbreaking that she had to pay for that safety with her life.

Cappolino Dodd Krebs LLP – birth injury attorneys

One of the most common birth injuries is a clavicle fracture. Otherwise known as the collarbone, the clavicle connects the upper part of the breastbone with the shoulder blade. Normally there are no lasting effects from this type of injury. Infants heal quickly, and strapping the arm to the chest should allow the clavicle to heal.

Nerve damage is another type of birth injury. The brachial plexus is a group of nerves that travel from the neck to the arm. When an infant’s head and arm are pulled in different directions, damage can occur to this bundle of nerves. If the damage is minor, it can be left to heal over time. If it is more severe, surgery might be necessary, and the child still may suffer weakness in one arm for life.

Did your child suffer from a birth injury or birth defect due to a doctor’s negligence? If you would like to discuss legal options, please fill out our contact form and see how we can help you.

Cappolino Dodd Krebs LLP – birth trauma attorneys

The new study, published in the journal Pediatrics, found that five out of every 100 young adults born weighing less than four and a half pounds had autism. This is significantly higher than the estimate by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that one out of every 100 eight-year-old kids has autism.

The professor who led the study, Jennifer Pinto-Martin of the University of Pennsylvania, says she “was surprised”. “I knew it would be higher than the general population…but I thought the rate would be about double”, she said.

Those with autism in the study also showed a higher prevalence for other psychiatric disorders, such as phobias and attention-deficit disorder.

Pinto-Martin said that although her study did not show that being born early causes autism, there is concern that prematurity puts babies’ brains at a higher risk for injury, and perhaps that brain injury could have something to do with autism.

Does your child suffer from birth defects or a brain injury because of medical negligence? If so, you do have legal options to help you get the compensation needed to provide proper medical care for your child.

Cappolino, Dodd, Krebs LLP – birth trauma lawyers

The family of a 15-year old Markell VanSlembrouck, a quadriplegic girl resulting from a brain injury acquired at birth, was awarded $130 million in damages after a three-week trial where the family alleged negligence by the delivering doctor.

Markell was larger than expected from gestational diabetes, but rather than perform a cesarean, Dr. Andrew Halperin from Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak chose to induce vaginal delivery. The delivery resulted in a broken clavicle and brain damage. Quadriplegia followed, requiring round-the-clock care.

The VanSlembrouck’s attorney says the award represents the cost of caring for Markell through 2077 and her lost wages, and will be stored with a court-appointed conservator.

The size of the award is remarkable in itself, but it also demonstrates the huge financial strain that brain damage and birth defects in one individual can cost parents and society. Medical negligence should never be ignored.

Has your child been injured at birth and are you considering legal action?

Our birth trauma lawyers have a history of helping families who have been damaged by medical carelessness, and can help you get the compensation necessary to move on with your life.

Cappolino, Dodd, Krebs LLP – Birth trauma lawyers

There are parents of disabled children who have gone so far as to design applications themselves, using their intimate knowledge of their child’s limitations to create programs that cater to it. Michael Brooks, the father of a daughter with cerebral palsy, set up a website called Mia’s Apps, where other families can download the apps he designed to communicate with his daughter.

The practice of using apps has spread widely enough to create the need for workshops designed around teaching parents how to use technology like the iPad with their children. Such a workshop is being conducted this weekend in Riverside, CA.

As one disability blogger points out, though, there are several things to consider when it comes to using iPads with your child. They are touch-sensitive, requiring a need for coordination. There is also the question of whether you will either need or want to keep updating your iPad each time Apple releases a new model.

Do you feel your child’s cerebral palsy is the result of medical negligence? Are you considering legal action? Share your situation with others like you by commenting below.

If you would like to speak to one or our cerebral palsy attorneys to help get the money you deserve, please fill out our contact form and tell us your story.

Cappolino, Dodd, Krebs – Cerebral palsy attorneys

AdverseEvents, Inc. a company that analyzes the FDA’s adverse drug event database says that 10 of the most popular epilepsy drugs in the United States have been found to have a large numbers of birth defect-related adverse events.

Carbatrol/Tegretol, Depacon/Kene/Kote, Dilantin, Keppra (and IR, Klonopin, Lamictal, Neurontin, Topomax, Trileptal, and Zonegran were found to have more than 25 individual birth defect case reports.

AdverseEvents is recommending that the drugs be re-classified to D class from C class, associating them with “positive evidence of human fetal risk”. Class D drugs are generally not prescribed to pregnant women unless there is no less risky alternative.

It is especially significant that the FDA re-classify these drugs because most epileptic women do not have the option of not taking their medication while pregnant. Are you on epilepsy and considering getting pregnant? What do you think of these findings? Please let us know by commenting below.

If you think your child’s birth injury was due to medical negligence and would like to speak to an experienced birth trauma attorney, please fill out our form on the contact page or just give us a call at the number provided.

The Meyers say that when they consider where to spend the money they raise through their foundation, they think of what their son would need had he survived. Whether it is a therapeutic gym for infants and toddlers, adaptive equipment to help kids communicate, or a device to help with mobility, the Meyers provide thoughtful contributions to those who need them most.

They raise the majority of their money each year through an annual fundraiser, held this year at the Paramount Country Club in New City, New York.

The Meyerses are normal, everyday people. He is a general manager for Orange and Rockland Utilities, and she is an alternative-medicine practitioner. With four other children, they still created a significant charity organization in honor of their son. Do you find their efforts admirable? Is creating a charity something you think you could do? Please let us know your opinions by commenting below.

Birth defects or a birth injury can change people’s lives, permanently. If you would like to speak to a birth trauma lawyer about your situation, please fill out our contact form or call us directly at the number provided.

The bike that Espin received is called an Amtryke, and is specially designed so that Espin will be able to ride on it safely.  The bike was donated to him by the AMBUCS club—which is based in Grapevine, Texas—and is therapeutic and will allow Espin to exercise both his arms and legs.

“It will strengthen his legs and give him the strength he needs in order to walk,” his mother Tiffany said.  “He will be able to use his bike on trips where there is room to ride.  It will allow him to do more things.”

This donation makes a huge difference to this young boy and his family.  A child who otherwise would never be able to ride a bicycle will be able to lead a more normal life.

Cappolino Dodd Krebs, LLP– cerebral palsy lawyer.

Some of their projects have included a therapeutic gym for children and other equipment to assist with their mobility.  The Meyers had an infant son die of a brain injury 11 years ago, Slater Jett Meyers, for which the organization is named.

“I look at these organizations with whom we partner, and when I see the children I think this would be m the children I think this would be my son,” says Ilana Meyers.  “I ask, ‘What would he need now?’”

The nonprofit is made up entirely of volunteers, and the Meyers wouldn’t have it any other way.   The organization has been therapeutic for the family and has helped so many other families at the same time.

“When a birth injury happens, it just happens and you’re not prepared,” Myers said.

Cappolino Dodd Krebs, LLP– cerebral palsy lawyer.