Physicians Reach Settlement In Case Alleging Medical Mistake Resulted in Newborn’s Erb’s Palsy Injury
A category of lawsuit commonly encountered by a birth injury attorney is the Erb’s palsy injury. This kind of injury may leave a child with a permanently damaged arm.
When evaluating these cases an erbs palsy lawyer takes into account several factors. Among the factors is whether the physician had knowledge suggesting there may be difficulties with a vaginal delivery and took sufficient measures to prevent them.
In one reported case, for instance, the baby’s mother had in the past given birth to two additional children. The two had been large babies. The pregnant woman was recorded as being borderline for gestational diabetes in the 4th month of her pregnancy. She had substantial weight gain while in the pregnancy. The baby had been documented larger than anticipated at 4 months into the pregnancy and to be in the ninetieth percentile for weight. The woman’s physicians scheduled her for induced vaginal labor in the fortieth week of pregnancy.
While in the hospital for the planned vaginal delivery some troubling indications were noticed. Yet, the doctor did not attempt to test the pregnant woman one more time for gestational diabetes or to estimate the unborn child’s weight in advance of inducing her. The doctor went forward with a vaginal delivery.
Hospital records showed that shoulder dystocia was found and that subsequent to delivery of the child’s head, rather than try a normally applied technique, the physician instead employed suprapubic pressure to assist in delivery. The newborn was 10 pounds 10 ounces at birth and had a head circumference in the 90th percentile. She suffered from Erb’s palsy. When she got older her arm atrophied because of her incapacity to use it. She has developmental delays and she has cerebral palsy. The law firm that represented the family published that the case settled for $900,000.
The preceeding is not medical or legal advice. You ought to check with a physician without delay if you believe there is a complication with your pregnancy or your infant has a health issue. Check with a medical negligence attorney should you think your child was hurt due to an error by a doctor or other wellness care professional.