Childbirth should be an exciting time for a family. Although scary, expectant parents generally trust that their doctors and the obstetrical team will do everything in their power for them to go home with a healthy baby. Unfortunately, problems occasionally arise in labor and delivery rooms. While some problems are unavoidable, other birth injuries, such as Erb’s palsy, can often be prevented with proper care.
If you believe your child developed Erb’s palsy because of medical negligence, you may be eligible to collect compensation. A dedicated Upper Marlboro Erb’s palsy lawyer can talk to you about your legal options for pursuing a birth injury lawsuit.
What Is Erb’s Palsy?
Erb’s palsy is a type of injury to a baby’s upper brachial plexus nerves, which control the upper arms and forearms. The condition most commonly occurs due to medical malpractice at a baby’s birth, such as when an obstetrician uses excessive force during a difficult childbirth. For example, when a doctor tries to pull a baby who is seemingly stuck in the birth canal, they can damage the brachial plexus nerves by stretching the baby’s neck and pushing down on the baby’s shoulder.
A child with Erb’s palsy can experience weakness, numbness, and paralysis in the affected arm. While some cases heal on their own, many babies need physical therapy to heal the overstretched nerves. However, when the baby’s nerves are fully torn, physical therapy will not be effective on its own, and surgery may be necessary.
Sadly, some cases are so severe that they do not respond to surgery or other treatments. Delays in diagnosing Erb’s palsy can lead to dangerous delays in treatment. Medical intervention is usually more successful when the child is less than a year old. If the condition is not treated shortly after birth, it can lead to developmental delays and even permanent impairments. A compassionate Upper Marlboro Erb’s palsy attorney understands how traumatic it is for a family to watch their child suffer needless pain and impairment and can work tirelessly to help you fight for justice.
Warning Signs of Erb’s Palsy
While doctors cannot prevent all cases of Erb’s palsy, they can look out for certain factors that increase the risks, such as:
Fetal Macrosomia
A baby that measures large on an ultrasound (called fetal macrosomia), especially with a small-framed mother, increases the chance that the baby could become stuck in the birth canal.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes increases the odds of a baby being larger than normal, which could lead to a difficult delivery.
Breech Birth
When a baby is positioned feet first, the doctors might need to apply more pressure to their arm during delivery.
Trauma During Delivery
Improper use of forceps, vacuum, or other birthing tools could injure a baby’s neck or shoulders during delivery.
Long Labor
Extended labor can increase the risk of complications during delivery.
Doctors and other medical professionals should be able to recognize the signs that a baby is going to be overly large and take steps to prevent any problems that may come with it. Similarly, obstetrical staff should carefully monitor a patient and baby during delivery to make sure that both are tolerating labor and that it is progressing normally. Failure to order a timely C-section can be a sign of medical negligence.
A dedicated lawyer in Upper Marlboro can review the patient’s medical records with the aid of medical experts to determine if the baby’s doctor should have acted differently during labor to prevent Erb’s palsy.
Enlist the Help of an Upper Marlboro Erb’s Palsy Attorney Today
Your child should not have to suffer pain or limitations because of a mistake in the delivery room. With reasonable care and attention during pregnancy and delivery, most cases of Erb’s palsy can be prevented.
Call an Upper Marlboro Erb’s palsy lawyer at Price Benowitz to see if you have grounds to pursue a legal claim against the doctor who harmed your baby.
