Erb's Palsy and Medical Malpractice
Erb's Palsy is a type of birth injury that damages the brachial plexus, a cluster of nerves near the neck that control movement of the shoulders, arms, hands and fingers. Infants with Erb's Palsy have difficulty or a limited ability to move their shoulders and/or elbows.
Erb's Palsy occurs during birth when a baby's shoulder gets stuck behind the mother's pelvic bone, preventing further progress of the birth. There are six techniques to safely deliver a baby stuck in this position. Any medical professional who delivers babies should know these techniques or at least know enough to find someone who does.
Children Pay When Doctors Make Mistakes
Unfortunately, obstetricians, family doctors and midwives too often take hold of the baby's head and pull too hard. This can rip the brachial plexus nerves out of the baby's spine. A child who would have been born completely healthy can be left with a paralyzed arm or hand for life by this form of medical malpractice. Nerve-grafting and tendon transfer surgeries may somewhat repair the damage, but nothing will ever restore complete and normal function to the affected areas.
Many of the conditions that lead to Erb's Palsy can be predicted. It happens more frequently when the infant is large, when the mother's pelvis is narrow, when the mother has had similar difficulties in the delivery of other children, and in mothers with diabetes. In all of these cases, cesarean section should be considered as an option.
The attorneys at Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder, PC, are experienced in birth injury cases involving Erb's Palsy, Klumpke's Palsy, shoulder dystocia and other brachial plexus injuries caused by doctors' mistakes.
Don't Delay
If you believe your child may have suffered a birth injury, it is essential to take action quickly. Strict deadlines can affect your ability to obtain justice.
You must file a birth injury claim within two years of the injury or within two years from the date you knew or should have known that an injury occurred. Don't give up your right to pursue financial compensation. Contact us today to discuss your legal rights and options.
From offices in Bridgeport, Stamford, Danbury and New Haven, Connecticut, our medical malpractice lawyers represent clients throughout the state.
