Erbs Palsy is a brachial plexus birth injury; it is one of the most common types of shoulder dystocia injuries. Generally, the birth injury occurs when the labor and delivery process is not closely monitored by medical professionals. Theres nothing more upsetting to parent than your infant suffering a preventable birth injury. If your child was born with Erbs Palsy and you believe that the injury could have been prevented, contact a birth injury attorney to discuss your legal options.
Causes of Erbs Palsy
Erbs Palsy injuries happen when a newborns shoulder gets caught behind the mothers pelvic bone during delivery, resulting in the brachial plexus to become compacted, pulled or torn. A skilled obstetrician should be able to determine the risks that would increase a babys chance of being born with Erbs Palsy and take the appropriate steps to avoid these types of injuries. Common risk factors of Erbs Palsy include:
- A larger-than-average newborn
- A pregnancy that lasts longer than 40 weeks
- A mother with diabetes
- Overweight mothers
- A pelvis that is flat or contracted
- Short maternal stature
Symptoms of Erbs Palsy
Erbs Palsy is a nerve injury that effects the movement and feeling to a babys shoulder, arm and hand. Symptoms of Erbs Palsy may include:
- No muscle control or feeling in the arm
- Paralysis of the arm
- Facial paralysis on the affected side
- The inability to sit without assistance
- Lack of ability to control the shoulder or elbow function, but retaining the hand function
Filing an Erbs Palsy Lawsuit
If your child was born with an Erbs Palsy injury due to the negligence of an Arizona medical professional, you may be to seek legal recourse. The attorneys at Phillips Law Group have the knowledge and resources to successfully litigate your birth injury case. Contact Phillips Law Group today to discuss your legal options.
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