A brachial plexus birth injury can have a substantial impact on a child for the rest of their life. When this particular network of nerves is damaged, it may affect various parts of a child’s body. Fortunately, you can seek medical malpractice claim against a doctor that caused your child to sustain a brachial plexus birth injury. If your child suffered a brachial plexus injury due to medical malpractice, you should consult with an experienced Arlington attorney for brachial plexus injuries caused during childbirth.
The Queenan Law Firm, P.C., has fought for victims of medical malpractice for years, and we are ready to offer you the legal representation that you deserve. Your medical malpractice claim does not have to be fought alone. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss the details of your potential lawsuit, contact The Queenan Law Firm, P.C. at (817) 476-1797. You may also contact the firm online.
Common Causes of Brachial Plexus Palsy in Arlington, TX
The brachial plexus is a group of nerves that reach from the spinal cord into a person’s arms and hands. Brachial plexus palsy refers to an injury that occurs to one of the nerves in the brachial plexus network. A brachial plexus injury can seriously affect the mobility and motor functions of a newborn. The following is a list of the common causes of brachial plexus palsy injuries during childbirth.
Breech Birth
As a pregnancy nears week 37, the baby should begin to shift into a head-first position (vertex presentation) to exit the womb safely. However, some babies may still have their feet or buttocks facing the opening to the birth canal when it is time for delivery. This is referred to as breech presentation. If a baby exits the womb in breech presentation, this could be extremely dangerous. For example, the child’s shoulders could become caught in the mother’s pelvis, which could cause brachial plexus palsy.
There are some options to avoid a breech birth. For example, a doctor may try to perform an external version. An external version is a noninvasive procedure where a doctor will try to shift the baby into a head-first position by moving the baby through a mother’s stomach. If an external version is not successful, a doctor should inform a mother that birth by cesarean section could be safer.
If a doctor takes no steps to help a mother avoid a breech birth, they may be held liable if the child sustains a brachial plexus injury during delivery.
Cephalopelvic Disproportion or Fetal Macrosomia
Cephalopelvic disproportion is a medical condition where a mother’s pelvis is too small to fit a child through the birth canal safely. This is an issue that could cause a brachial plexus injury because it would become easier for the child to be trapped in the birth canal.
Alternatively, fetal macrosomia is another medical condition that could make it difficult for a child to safely enter and exit the birth canal. This condition occurs when a child is larger than average, and a doctor believes they cannot fit through the birth canal. For example, if a child weighs more than 10 pounds, it could be challenging to have a safe delivery.
Birth via cesarean section is typically how a childbirth brachial plexus injury can be avoided when treating a mother with cephalopelvic disproportion or a child with fetal macrosomia.
There are other causes of brachial plexus palsy that are not discussed above. For example, the following conditions can increase the risk of brachial plexus injury:
- Weak muscles in the child’s neck
- Maternal diabetes
- Maternal obesity
This is not a comprehensive list. To learn more about how brachial palsy can affect a child, you should read the following section and speak with our Arlington birth injury lawyer for brachial plexus palsy.
Common Injuries Caused by Brachial Plexus Palsy in Arlington, TX
Due to a large amount of nerves within the brachial plexus, there are several areas of the body that a brachial plexus injury can affect. If your child was diagnosed with any of the following injuries, you may be able to file a medical malpractice claim on their behalf.
Neurapraxia is a common type of brachial plexus injury that is identified by tears in the nerves of the brachial plexus. These tears can cause muscle weakness and sensitivity and numbness in the affected area of the body. While neurapraxia is often a mild injury that may heal over time, it can lead to more severe injuries.
Erb’s palsy is another type of brachial plexus injury that typically affects a child’s upper arm. The severity of the nerve damage will dictate the severity of the child’s injuries. For example, the most severe cases of Erb’s palsy can result in a child experiencing full paralysis in their upper arm. This can also mean that the child may have difficulty with lifting simple items or with moving their arm.
There are other types of injuries that may occur due to brachial plexus palsy. If your child was a victim of medical malpractice during delivery, our firm is prepared to fight for the compensation you need.
Consult with Our Experienced Arlington Lawyer for Brachial Plexus Palsy Caused During Childbirth
If your newborn suffered a brachial plexus injury during childbirth, consult with an experienced Arlington, TX lawyer for brachial plexus palsy caused by a birth injury. The skilled medical malpractice attorneys at The Queenan Law Firm, P.C., have worked with many victims of birth injuries and would welcome the opportunity to represent you. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your potential medical malpractice lawsuit, contact The Queenan Law Firm, P.C. at (817) 476-1797. You may also contact the firm online.