Erb’s palsy is one of the many birth injuries that an infant can acquire during the different stages of pregnancy and birth. This disability comes to a baby when their brachial plexus becomes damaged. The shoulder and arms are connected to the brachial plexus and help the individual have movement in their upper extremities. When Erb’s palsy is diagnosed in a child, they may be experiencing complete or partial paralysis in their arms, hands, or fingers that leaves them disabled. In most Erb’s palsy cases, shoulder dystocia has been found to be the main reason for this condition to surface. Typically, shoulder dystocia is a complication that could be prevented and if it does occur, it is one that can be handled correctly. When the standard of care is not applied to the birthing process of an infant, they can experience shoulder dystocia through medical negligence.
There is a possibility of reducing the complication from taking place when risk factors are analyzed by the doctor. In addition, when this complication does take place, the proper delivering technique must be applied to ensure that the baby is delivered in a delicate manner. An investigative period needs to be conducted by the parents of an infant that is diagnosed with Erb’s Palsy to conclude whether medical negligence was the cause. Consulting these concerns with a skilled law for Erb’s Palsy medical malpractice in West Palm Beach will be the beginning of a possible litigation for medical malpractice.
Alarming Elements That Can Result in Shoulder Dystocia
Depending on what type of Erb;s Palsy injury the infant acquired, the damages will range. These are some potential risk factors that every medical professional should consider before deciding what delivery method and technique of delivery to apply towards the expectant mother’s case:
- Macrosomia
- Being overweight/obese
- An increase of more than 35 pounds during the pregnancy
- The development of conditions like GD
- Incorrect fetal position
- Pregnancy lasting more than 40 weeks
Erb’s Palsy Prevalence
- Obstetricians were involved in 1129 claims for medical malpractice Erb’s palsy in the year 2002
- $2,824,280,036 in payments were made in a 6-year span (1990-1996) for obstetrician malpractice
Nothing Will Come From Doing Nothing
The first action that comes to mind is most likely not seeking legal action against the negligence medical provider, but it is an action that must be taken in order to secure compensation. Numerous financial expenses are associated with the treatment of Erb’s Palsy. Percy Martinez Law Firm in West Palm Beach has a team that is qualified to handle Erb’s palsy medical malpractice cases and works to achieve the greatest outcome in the medical malpractice lawsuit.