OKC Erb's Palsy Lawyers
Erb's Palsy/Brachial Plexus
While having a baby is a very exciting for expectant parents, a birth injury such as brachial plexus or Erb's Palsy can be absolutely devastating. Birth injuries such as these may occur during the birthing process if too much force is placed on the baby's head at the time of delivery. This causes the nerves that conduct signals from the spine to the hand and arm to be greatly affected by a strong sensitivity to stretching or pressure. As a result, when these nerves are damaged, the nerve network, which is called the brachial plexus, can cause partial or full paralysis in one or both of the baby's arms, also possibly affecting the functionality of both the hands and wrists.
If a yet-to-be born baby has his or her oxygen source compromised, or if the baby requires immediate delivery due to other pressing risk factors, a physician may need to act quickly to protect the baby's well-being. However, in some situations, a doctor or medical professional may not exercise adequate care or correct procedure in delivering a newborn child, and the results can lead to nerve trauma that may cause Erb's Palsy.
A few circumstances that contribute to Erb's Palsy and brachial plexus injuries are:
- Fetal distress
- Forcep bruising
- Forcep injury
- Shoulder dystocia
Certain risks which may place a baby at an increased chance of suffering Erb's Palsy or brachial plexus injuries including the size of the baby, the positioning of the baby in the womb, and the length of time for the labor. Other factors which may place a baby at risk are if the mother has a small pelvis, gestational diabetes, or if the mother has given birth to a child previously who had shoulder dystocia. Doctors should recognize these risk factors when delivering babies and be prepared to take whatever steps necessary to ensure a safe birth.
About two babies per 1,000 live deliveries are afflicted by brachial plexus birth injuries. Infants who are affected by loss of muscle control, paralysis, or lack of limb coordination are destined to experience numerous challenges later on in life. When an afflicted infant does not show any improvements at age four to six months, surgery may be a viable option for helping to restore or increase motor function. Physical and/or occupational therapy promote increased strength and motor control in the arms, wrists, and hands, and are also both effective options in helping to treat Erb's Palsy and brachial plexus injuries. Treatments used to maximize the functionality of the arm, wrist, and hand may be necessary because they often prove successful, but such treatments are usually quite expensive even for those with good health insurance.
If your child suffers from Erb's Palsy or a brachial plexus injury at the time of their birth due to negligent action on the part of a physician or attending medical professional, you may be able to recover monetary compensation to help pay for medical bills, occupational and physical therapies, and other expenses associated with the birth injury. At Maples Law Firm, our skilled Oklahoma City Erb's Palsy attorneys can help you and your family through this challenging time. Please contact us today for a free consultation regarding your Oklahoma birth injury case.
Call us toll-free any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at (888) 226-6159. If you are from Oklahoma City, you can also call (405) 551-8864.
We also have a personal injury intake form that you can fill out. Our lawyers and staff return all correspondence quickly.
