Your child could be left with Erb’s palsy if the correct procedures are not taken during the birthing process. Doctors or healthcare professionals who pull on your child’s head or neck could cause a brachial plexus injury during childbirth.
In this situation, you could be eligible to receive compensation for your child’s medical care. Find out how to secure damages by contacting the Birth Injury Lawyers Group for a free case review at (800) 222-9529.
Find Out More About Erb’s Palsy in Carrollton
Erb’s palsy is caused directly by a brachial plexus injury. These injuries may occur for a variety of reasons. For example, some people experience a brachial plexus injury after a car accident or because of a sport’s injury. In children, many of these injuries are caused by the actions of medical professionals during childbirth.
There are a few different classifications for brachial plexus injuries. Some of these injuries are more severe than others. Let’s review different kinds of brachial plexus injuries briefly. Your child could be dealing with a(n):
- Avulsion. Avulsions are the most serious brachial plexus injuries. They occur if the nerve tears at the spinal cord.
- Rupture. Children develop a rupture if the nerve tears either partially or completely, in an area not next to the spinal cord.
- Neuroma. A neuroma develops if the damaged nerve develops scar tissue which prevents it from functioning properly.
- Neurapraxia. Your child may have a neuropraxia if the nerve stretches but does not tear.
According to the Paediatrics & Child Health Journal, only 0.9 to 2.6 children out of every 1,000 experience Erb’s palsy as a result of a brachial plexus injury sustained during birth.
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Causes of a Brachial Plexus Injury at Birth
As we mentioned, brachial plexus injuries may occur during childbirth. These injuries are more likely to occur in certain situations than others. Your child may have a higher chance of experiencing a brachial plexus injury if:
- They are of higher-than-average weight at birth
- They are positioned for a breech (feet-first) birth
Additionally, a longer than average labor may increase the odds that your child could experience a brachial plexus injury. These injuries may occur if a doctor pulls on your child’s head or neck to deliver them.
In many cases, the risks of a brachial plexus injury could be negated by performing a C-section. However, C-sections do come with their own health risks for both mother and child. Doctors have an obligation to consider all of the risks and benefits during the birthing process. They may need to order a C-section in some situations to protect the safety of the mother and child.
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Identify the Signs of a Brachial Plexus Injury
It is important that you identify a brachial plexus injury quickly if your child is affected. Getting quick medical care may allow your child to recover from this condition. You may need to contact a doctor if your child:
- Appears unable to move one shoulder, arm, or hand
- Holds their arm in an awkward position
- Does not demonstrate the Moro reflex
Note that you cannot diagnose Erb’s palsy on your own. You must speak with a medical professional to get a specific diagnosis of your child’s condition. A medical professional may order several tests, including MRIs and CAT scans to determine whether your child is dealing with a brachial plexus injury.
Once you have an official diagnosis, you may begin getting treatment for your child. You may also contact an Erb’s palsy lawyer to begin working on your claim. Note that a lawyer cannot provide you with a diagnosis for any medical condition.
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Get Treatment for Your Child’s Erb’s Palsy
As we mentioned, your child could receive treatment for Erb’s palsy. This treatment may involve physical therapy or surgery. Surgical intervention may be necessary in cases where your child’s nerves were torn.
If your child’s nerves were only stretched, physical therapy may be sufficient to help your child recover fully from a brachial plexus injury. Note that, in some minor cases, your child could even recover from Erb’s palsy on their own over a period of a few months.
A doctor may be able to provide you with comprehensive advice regarding the type of treatment your child requires here in Carrollton.
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Pursuing Compensation for a Brachial Plexus Injury
If your child was diagnosed with Erb’s palsy, a lawyer may be able to help you get compensation for your family’s medical expenses such as the costs of surgeries, therapy, and more.
Your lawyer may work to show that a medical professional’s actions directly led to your child’s brachial plexus injury. Your lawyer may assess the records of your child’s birth and work with medical professionals to determine why an injury occurred.
Taking these steps may allow your lawyer to file a claim against the doctor or healthcare facility where the birth injury occurred. Your lawyer can negotiate with insurance agents on behalf of your family. In some cases, your lawyer may be able to bring you a settlement that covers your family’s losses.
In other situations, your lawyer may advise taking your case to court with a birth injury lawsuit. While many birth injury claims are resolved outside of the courtroom, you do have a number of options at your disposal. Find out more about the best way to resolve your case by contacting the Birth Injury Lawyers Group now.
Call the Office of a Carrollton Erb’s Palsy Lawyer Today
Take steps to get legal help on your side if your child was diagnosed with Erb’s palsy in Carrollton. Get started on your claim right now by contacting a Carrollton Erb’s palsy lawyer at the Birth Injury Lawyers Group. Call (800) 222-9529 for a free consultation or complete our online contact form.
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