Chicago Brachial Plexus Attorney

Improper delivery techniques or the failure to properly measure the size of a full-term fetus are common causes for injuries to a baby's shoulder and arm during childbirth.

The pressure put upon the child's shoulder and neck by a medical professional during a difficult birth, forceps or vacuum extractor can quickly damage the delicate nerves that control the arm.

This is referred to as a brachial plexus injury (or Erb's Palsy) and can be a sign of medical negligence by the doctor.

Chicago, IL Medical Malpractice Lawyers for Shoulder Dystocia Injury

The Chicago personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC are committed to holding the obstetrician, attending physician, or hospital staff accountable when their negligence results in a baby's brachial plexus injury.

Our birth injury law firm has successfully resolved many cases and is ready to hold doctors accountable with medical negligence lawsuit to provide for your baby's past and future care. Contact our office today for a free consultation.

Causes Of  Common Birth Injuries: Brachial Plexus Palsy, Erb's Palsy and Klumpke's Palsy

Brachial is a term that is used to refer to the arm and Plexus is used when discussing a bundle of nerves. The brachial plexus is the nerve that controls the use of the shoulder, arm, elbow, wrist, and hand muscles.

Brachial plexus injuries can happen from many different types of injuries throughout life, however, in birthing, it may be due to poor techniques or preparation by the attending doctor.

When a child is in the delivery process, there are several risk factors that can contribute to a brachial plexus injury. The baby's weight and size need to be evaluated by the doctor to ensure that the birth canal is wide enough to accommodate the child.

Women with gestational diabetes are at an increased risk for giving birth to a large size baby, so attending physicians must monitor the baby's weight. Also, breech delivery and prolonged labor can factor into a higher risk for brachial plexus injuries.

The most common cause of brachial plexus injuries and Erb's palsy is shoulder dystocia. When the shoulder of the baby becomes wedged behind the pelvic bone of the mother or in the mother's pubic bone, the child must be carefully dislodged.

Erb's Palsy Disabilities

A severe type of brachial plexus injury is called Erb's Palsy.

This particular form of injury refers to the loss of function of both the upper and lower arm.

When a child is delivered and the trauma of the birth has caused Erb's Palsy, the arm or arms affected will often be bent at the elbow and held against the body. These babies may require physical therapy or corrective surgery.

Disabilities from Erb's Palsy

Some children recover from the injury in several months, however, others are not as lucky and have permanent disabilities including:

• Paralysis. Children with Erb's Palsy may have partial or full paralysis of the affected arms. If the root of the nerve is completely separated from the spinal cord, they may have no muscle or nerve function in the arm at all.
• Weakness. Nerves that are damaged can cause weakness in the arm, wrist, and hands. This can also cause atrophy over time.
• Muscle contractions. Abnormal muscle contractions may occur, causing a tightening of the muscles that may be permanent.

Injured Children Deserve a Financial Recovery

These disabilities can make life difficult for the child and cause them pain and discomfort for the rest of their lives.

For the family, it can mean excessive medical costs for specialized treatments and help.

When these injuries are the result of medical error on the part of the delivering physician or midwife, it is only reasonable that they compensate the family and child for the pain, suffering, and large medical costs that they must bear in a Chicago, Illinois medical malpractice claim.