Brain Injury News

 Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Fund

In its 2005 session the Virginia General Assembly adopted House Joint Resolution 646 (HJR646) requiring the Virginia Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Program (Program) Board of Directors (Board) to conduct a study to provide an economically balanced approach for adequately funding the Compensation Fund (Fund). A copy of this resolution is provided as Appendix A. The General Assembly directed that, "in conducting its study, the Virginia Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Program shall":

• Identify the extent of Program deficit
• assess causes for such deficit
• review the program structure to determine the necessary amendments to stem deficit; and
• Assess the effect of such amendments on the number of beneficiaries projected to be assisted
by the Program in subsequent years

The Executive Director, at the direction of the Board, engaged a professional to coordinate the study through the issuance of an RFP and selected C. Gary Burke to fill this role. Mr. Burke has over 25 years of financial and project management experience in Virginia State government. Mr. Burke was supported by a graduate student from Virginia Commonwealth University, Mr. Sam Ragsdale. Mr. Ragsdale assisted the project by conducting research, preparing analyses as required, and generally assisted the project coordinator with multiple project related tasks.

If you or anyone you know has experienced the results of brain injury or any other kind of medical malpractice , please contact our Minnesota lawyer. We are here to help you.

	Did You Know?
	Birth injuries can be a result of medical malpractice. Medical error can cause birth injuries, or can increase their severity or permanence. Medical errors which may support a malpractice action include: (1) failing to anticipate birth complications with a larger baby, or in cases involving maternal health complications, (2) failure to respond appropriately to bleeding (3) failing to observe or respond to umbilical cord entrapment (4) failure to respond to fetal distress (including irregularities in the fetal heartbeat), (5) delay in ordering cesarean section (c-section) when medically necessary, (6) misuse of forceps or a vacuum extractor during delivery, or (7) inappropriate administration of Pitocin, a synthesized hormone used to induce or augment (speed up) labor.