A category of case frequently encountered by a birth injury attorney is the Erb’s palsy injury. This is an injury to the group of nerves in the baby’s shoulder which affect the shoulder, the arm and the hand. In some instances the baby will have to have surgery. Even with surgery, though, some infants will be left with lasting harm to the arm.

When evaluating these cases an erbs palsy lawyer takes into account several factors. Among the issues is whether the physician had information indicating there might be problems during a vaginal delivery and took acceptable steps to eliminate them.

In a reported case, for example, the child’s mother had in the past given birth to two other children. The two had been born large . The pregnant woman tested borderline for gestational diabetes in the fourth month of her pregnancy. She had excessive weight gain in the pregnancy. The baby had been noted larger than expected at four months of pregnancy and to weigh in the 90th percentile. Her physicians scheduled her for induced vaginal labor to take place during her 40th week of pregnancy.

Once admitted to the hospital for the planned vaginal delivery some troubling indications were noticed. However, the physician failed to attempt to examine the pregnant woman again for gestational diabetes or to approximate the unborn child’s weight in advance of inducing her. The physician continued with a vaginal delivery.

Hospital files showed that shoulder dystocia was present and that subsequent to delivery of the baby’s head, rather than try a routinely applied technique, the physician instead applied suprapubic pressure to assist in delivery. The baby was 10 pounds 10 ounces and had a head circumference in the 90th percentile. She suffered from Erb’s palsy. When she got older her arm atrophied from her incapacity to use it. She has developmental delays and she has cerebral palsy. The law firm that pursued the lawsuit published that the lawsuit settled for $900,000.

The preceeding is not medical or legal advice. Check with a physician at once in the event you think there is a complication with your pregnancy or your child has a health problem. Seek the advice of a medical negligence lawyer in the event you believe your child was injured due to an error by a physician or other well being care professional.