One kind of matter repeatedly seen by a birth injury attorney involves an Erb’s palsy injury. This is an injury to the nerves in the infant’s shoulder which affect the shoulder, the arm and the hand. Sometimes the baby will have to have surgery. Despite surgery, though, a number of infants will be left with lasting injury to the arm.
When evaluating these cases an erbs palsy attorney takes into account various issues. Among the concerns is if the physician involved had knowledge suggesting there could be problems with a vaginal delivery and took appropriate actions to prevent them.
In one reported claim, for instance, the baby’s mother had previously given birth to 2 additional children both of whom had been born large . The mother tested borderline for gestational diabetes in the 4th month of her pregnancy. She had substantial weight gain in the pregnancy. The baby had been noted larger than expected at four months into the pregnancy and to weigh in the 90th percentile. The woman’s doctors planned for her to be induced for a vaginal delivery in the 40th week of pregnancy.
Once admitted to the hospital for the planned vaginal delivery a number of worrisome symptoms were noticed. Yet, the physician did not make an effort to examine the mother one more time for gestational diabetes or to approximate the unborn child’s weight ahead of inducing her. The physician did not alter the plan and perform a C-section.
Hospital files showed that shoulder dystocia was found and that following delivery of the child’s head, as opposed to using a routinely used procedure, the doctor instead used suprapubic pressure to facilitate delivery. The newborn was ten pounds 10 ounces at birth with a head circumference in the 90th percentile. The baby had Erb’s palsy. As she got older her arm atrophied due to her incapacity to use it. She has developmental delays and she has cerebral palsy. The law firm that pursued the lawsuit announced that the case settled for $900,000.
The preceeding is not medical or legal advice. Consult a doctor immediately in the event you believe there is a problem with your pregnancy or your infant has a health issue. Seek the advice of a medical negligence lawyer if you think your baby was injured due to a mistake by a physician or other wellness care professional.