A type of case frequently seen by a birth injury attorney involves an Erb’s palsy injury. This injury is due to harm to the nerves in the baby’s shoulder which impact the shoulder, the arm and the hand. Sometimes the child will need surgery. Even with surgery, though, a number of infants will endure lifelong damage to the arm.
When evaluating these cases an erbs palsy attorney takes into account a number of issues. One of the factors is if the physician had information suggesting there could be difficulties with a vaginal delivery and took acceptable steps to prevent them.
In one documented lawsuit, for instance, the child’s mother had previously given birth to 2 additional children both of whom had been large . The mother was recorded as being borderline for gestational diabetes in the 4th month of her pregnancy. She had disroportionate weight gain while in the pregnancy. The unborn child had been noted larger than expected at four months of pregnancy and to be in the ninetieth percentile for weight. Her doctors scheduled her for induced vaginal labor to take place during her fortieth week of pregnancy.
While in the hospital for the scheduled vaginal delivery various disconcerting symptoms were detected. However, the doctor did not try to examine the mother one last time for gestational diabetes or to calculate the baby’s weight ahead of inducing her. The doctor continued with a vaginal delivery.
Hospital documents showed that shoulder dystocia was found and that following delivery of the infant’s head, instead of trying a regularly applied technique, the physician just employed suprapubic pressure to facilitate delivery. The baby weighed ten pounds 10 ounces and had a head circumference in the 90th percentile. The baby sustained Erb’s palsy. As she grew her arm atrophied because of her incapacity to use it. She has developmental delays and she has cerebral palsy. The law firm that represented the family reported that the case settled for $900,000.
The above should not be considered to be medical or legal advice. Consult a physician without delay in the event you think there is a problem with your pregnancy or your infant has a health issue. Check with a medical negligence attorney if you think your infant was injured due to an error by a doctor or other wellness care professional.
