Sadly, many shoulder dystocia incidents during birth occur because of errors on the part of medical providers—these incidents occur when a baby’s head is delivered, and his or her shoulders are stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone.
Unfortunately, babies who suffer from brachial plexus injuries may endure a lifetime of physical problems including a lack of muscle control, a lack of feeling in the arms, limited use of the hands, and in some severe cases, total loss of use of the arm and hand.
It is estimated that about 10 percent of shoulder dystocia cases are severe, and may require extensive and grueling therapy in order to assist the injuries.
When errors occur during a delivery, they typically involve doctors failing to act in a timely matter, resulting in the stretching or tearing of a child’s brachial plexus.
Recently, it was reported that one Wisconsin child reportedly suffered injuries because of her doctor’s negligence. According to the Madison-St. Clair Record, a lawsuit was filed against an obstetrician, after a child’s parent’s claim that she suffered nerve root damage and a brachial plexus injury following her birth.
The lawsuit claims that the doctor “noted a shoulder dystocia, and tried multiple maneuvers which failed to deliver the posterior shoulder,” during the child’s delivery. Eventually, the child was delivered with her right shoulder followed by the turned left shoulder, with one arm coming out “floppy”, according to the Record.
Can I File a Lawsuit If My Child Has a Brachial Plexus Injury?
It should be noted that Erb’s palsy is the most common form of brachial plexus injury. Aside from Erb’s palsy, if there are delays during any type of dystocia event, a lack of oxygen to a child can result in brain injuries, as well as cerebral palsy and fetal death.
This is why it is important to hold medical providers liable if your son or daughter suffers injuries. The pain he or she will suffer through will be grueling. Through a birth injury lawsuit, you can help him or her live a more rewarding life by using the money obtained in a settlement or verdict on rehabilitation.
If your child suffered a birth injury, make sure that you have the events surrounding it investigated by our attorneys. One of our lawyers, Ryan Krebs, is both a medical doctor and an attorney—he understands the complexity of birth injury cases and can help you recover damages for your child.
[Did You Know: Most major metropolitan areas offer support groups for parents who have children that have suffered birth injuries.]
Cappolino Dodd Krebs LLP – Birth Injury Attorneys
